Bo Watson

Watson sponsored SB 127, enacted in 2023 to designate specified Chickamauga Creek segments as Class I natural river areas.

May 18, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 194, enacted in 2019 to identify physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and other non-opioid pain relief as alternatives physicians explain when prescribing opioids.

April 15, 2019For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1475, enacted in 2023 to expand the Tennessee Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act's definition of racketeering activity.

May 24, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson's campaign biography credits him with creating Tennessee's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council and serving as chair of the Douglas Henry State Museum Commission.

July 17, 2026For

Source: bofortn.com · researched July 18, 2026

Watson voted for SB 714 in 2026, authorizing state oversight of underperforming school districts.

April 22, 2026For

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1366, enacted in 2025 to establish a legislative process for reviewing requests for federal aid.

May 27, 2025For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2530, enacted in 2024 as the Tennessee Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Act.

May 29, 2024For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 87, enacted in 2023 to cap metropolitan and municipal governing bodies at 20 elected members.

March 23, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored 2018 legislation that initiated the end of mandatory vehicle-emissions testing; Tennessee's program ended in five remaining counties in January 2022 after federal approval.

January 14, 2022For

Source: chattanoogan.com · researched July 18, 2026

Watson co-sponsored SB 751, enacted in 2021 to create Tennessee Opportunity pilot programs and related Temporary Assistance for Needy Families reforms supporting low-income families.

May 25, 2021For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 595, enacted in 2017 to adopt the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact in Tennessee.

May 22, 2017For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1382, enacted in 2025 to revise insurance coverage rules for stage-four metastatic cancer, blood cancer, and associated conditions.

May 27, 2025For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 282, enacted in 2025 as the Individualized Investigational Treatment Act.

March 28, 2025For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2791, enacted in 2024 as the TennCare for Working Individuals with Disabilities Act.

May 29, 2024For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 194, enacted in 2019 to identify physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and other non-opioid pain relief as alternatives physicians explain when prescribing opioids.

April 15, 2019For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 595, enacted in 2017 to adopt the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact in Tennessee.

May 22, 2017For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2072, enacted in 2026 as the Better Spending, Better Schools Act.

May 26, 2026For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1366, enacted in 2025 to establish a legislative process for reviewing requests for federal aid.

May 27, 2025For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson voted for HB 6004 in 2025, appropriating public money for private-school vouchers.

January 30, 2025Against

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored 2018 legislation that initiated the end of mandatory vehicle-emissions testing; Tennessee's program ended in five remaining counties in January 2022 after federal approval.

January 14, 2022For

Source: chattanoogan.com · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2155, enacted in 2024 as the Chris Wright Act to enhance penalties for repeat domestic-assault and repeated qualifying misdemeanor convictions.

May 29, 2024For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1475, enacted in 2023 to expand the Tennessee Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act's definition of racketeering activity.

May 24, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 457, enacted in 2023 to provide an $800 annual training-pay supplement for eligible emergency medical services personnel.

May 18, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2061, enacted in 2026 to establish a children's digital protection fund in the state treasury.

May 27, 2026For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1379, enacted in 2025 to let child-care agencies use underutilized school property and revise licensing, zoning, and facility rules.

April 29, 2025For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2791, enacted in 2024 as the TennCare for Working Individuals with Disabilities Act.

May 29, 2024For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2359, enacted in 2024 to prohibit the Department of Children's Services from requiring immunization as an adoption or foster-care condition when a household member raises a religious or moral objection.

April 17, 2024For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 457, enacted in 2023 to provide an $800 annual training-pay supplement for eligible emergency medical services personnel.

May 18, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 454, enacted in 2023 to authorize insurance policies that employers may offer employees for family-leave benefits.

April 18, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson co-sponsored SB 751, enacted in 2021 to create Tennessee Opportunity pilot programs and related Temporary Assistance for Needy Families reforms supporting low-income families.

May 25, 2021For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2072, enacted in 2026 as the Better Spending, Better Schools Act.

May 26, 2026For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson voted for SB 714 in 2026, authorizing state oversight of underperforming school districts.

April 22, 2026For

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson voted for HB 47 in 2026, authorizing display of the Ten Commandments and specified historical documents in public schools.

March 19, 2026For

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1379, enacted in 2025 to let child-care agencies use underutilized school property and revise licensing, zoning, and facility rules.

April 29, 2025For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored and voted for SB 836 in 2025, authorizing local education agencies and public charter schools to charge tuition to certain students who are unlawfully present in the United States.

April 10, 2025Against

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson voted for HB 6004 in 2025, appropriating public money for private-school vouchers.

January 30, 2025For

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson co-sponsored the 2022 Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement law, which replaced the state's public-school funding formula.

May 2, 2022For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2064 to require local referendums for property-tax increases exceeding specified thresholds; the proposal was assigned to a Senate subcommittee in 2026.

March 25, 2026For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 71, enacted in 2019 to require county election commissions to designate voter entrances and measure campaign-activity exclusion zones from those entrances.

April 9, 2019For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1367 to exempt retail food and food ingredients from Tennessee sales and use tax; the proposal reached the Senate Finance calendar in 2026.

April 20, 2026For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2064 to require local referendums for property-tax increases exceeding specified thresholds; the proposal was assigned to a Senate subcommittee in 2026.

March 25, 2026For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson's campaign biography credits him with creating Tennessee's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council and serving as chair of the Douglas Henry State Museum Commission.

July 17, 2026For

Source: bofortn.com · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2061, enacted in 2026 to establish a children's digital protection fund in the state treasury.

May 27, 2026For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2530, enacted in 2024 as the Tennessee Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Act.

May 29, 2024For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 73, enacted in 2023 as the Tennessee Information Protection Act governing businesses' collection and use of personal information.

May 24, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson voted for HB 47 in 2026, authorizing display of the Ten Commandments and specified historical documents in public schools.

March 19, 2026Against

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson voted for HB 622 and SB 1084 in 2025, prohibiting specified diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, initiatives, and hiring practices in state and local government and public higher education.

April 22, 2025Against

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored and voted for SB 836 in 2025, authorizing local education agencies and public charter schools to charge tuition to certain students who are unlawfully present in the United States.

April 10, 2025Against

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 2359, enacted in 2024 to prohibit the Department of Children's Services from requiring immunization as an adoption or foster-care condition when a household member raises a religious or moral objection.

April 17, 2024For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 1382, enacted in 2025 to revise insurance coverage rules for stage-four metastatic cancer, blood cancer, and associated conditions.

May 27, 2025For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson sponsored SB 73, enacted in 2023 as the Tennessee Information Protection Act governing businesses' collection and use of personal information.

May 24, 2023For

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson currently chairs the Senate Finance, Ways and Means and Senate Rules committees, vice-chairs the Council on Pensions, and serves on Commerce and Labor, Fiscal Review, Health and Welfare, and Joint Ways and Means.

July 17, 2026

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson was Tennessee Senate speaker pro tempore during the 108th and 109th General Assemblies and has chaired the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee since 2017.

July 17, 2026

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson is a physical therapist educated at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and University of Tennessee Health Science Center and has worked at Parkridge Medical Center.

July 17, 2026

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

Watson served in the Tennessee House during the 104th General Assembly and has served in the Senate from the 105th through the 114th General Assemblies.

July 17, 2026

Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026

A three-judge panel temporarily blocked Watson's metropolitan-council cap before Nashville's 2023 election; a Tennessee appeals court later upheld the law while it remained on hold pending appeals.

June 17, 2025

Source: apnews.com · researched July 18, 2026

Watson's campaign biography reports repeated American Conservative Union scores of at least 85 percent and 2022 recognition from the Tennessee Conservative and Institute for Legislative Analysis.

December 31, 2022

Source: bofortn.com · researched July 18, 2026

NewsChannel 5 reported that Watson's wife was among the Titans' stadium lobbyists while Watson chaired the finance committee; Watson said she did not lobby him and that he followed Senate conflict rules, while the station reported finding no public Rule 13 declaration on his Titans votes.

December 31, 2022

Source: newschannel5.com · researched July 18, 2026