Bo Watson

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

May 27, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

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

Sponsored a law creating a TennCare buy-in program that lets working people with disabilities keep health coverage by paying premiums of 5 percent of countable income (Senate Bill 2791).

May 29, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

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

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

May 18, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health

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, 2019Supports Environment and Public Health

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

Voted to pass HB 618, which bars a person from holding two local elected offices at the same time. The Tennessee Senate passed it 21-10, and it became law.

February 26, 2026Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Voted to pass HB 773, which requires websites carrying official legal notices to be free to view. The Tennessee Senate passed it 23-8, and it became law.

April 22, 2025Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Voted to adopt the compromise version of SB 229, which charges political campaign committees a $150 yearly fee. The Tennessee Senate adopted it 23-6, and it became law.

April 22, 2025Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Sponsored a law requiring school districts and charter schools to report yearly spending in eight categories, published on the state report card. It was signed in May 2026 (Senate Bill 2072, Public Chapter 1007).

May 26, 2026Supports Government Efficiency

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, 2025Supports Government Efficiency

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, 2024Supports Government Efficiency

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, 2023Supports Government Efficiency

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, 2022Supports Government Efficiency

Source: chattanoogan.com · researched July 18, 2026

Co-sponsored a state law creating a two-year pilot offering welfare recipients extra school support or cash, and setting penalties for fraudulent benefit claims (Senate Bill 751, Public Chapter 515).

May 25, 2021Supports Government Efficiency

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, 2017Supports Government Efficiency

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

Voted to pass HB 2219, which requires every county sheriff to sign a federal 287(g) immigration enforcement deal. The Tennessee Senate passed it 24-7, and it became law.

April 23, 2026Opposes Immigration

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Voted to accept the House's version of Senate Bill 1915, which makes counties and cities verify adult benefit applicants are citizens or legally present. The Senate agreed 24-6 and it became law as Public Chapter 1106.

April 22, 2026Opposes Immigration

Source: legiscan.com · researched August 27, 2026

Voted to pass HB 2502, which applies sales tax to sending money abroad through a licensed money transmitter. The Tennessee Senate passed it 21-7, and it became law.

April 16, 2026Opposes Immigration

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Voted to pass HB 1194, which extends the work authorization law to almost every private employer. The Tennessee Senate passed it 19-13, and it became law.

March 12, 2026Opposes Immigration

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Voted to pass SB 6002, which creates a state immigration enforcement office directing how local police work with federal agents. The Tennessee Senate passed it 26-7, and it became law.

January 29, 2025Opposes Immigration

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

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

January 30, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: justfacts.votesmart.org · 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, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction

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, 2022Supports Government Spending Reduction

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, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

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

Voted to pass SB 1868, which caps state custody of a child for treatment at six months, extendable once. The Tennessee Senate passed it 22-11, and it became law.

April 15, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 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, 2025Supports Social Programs and Welfare

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

Sponsored a law creating a TennCare buy-in program that lets working people with disabilities keep health coverage by paying premiums of 5 percent of countable income (Senate Bill 2791).

May 29, 2024Supports Social Programs and Welfare

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, 2023Supports Social Programs and Welfare

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

Co-sponsored a state law creating a two-year pilot offering welfare recipients extra school support or cash, and setting penalties for fraudulent benefit claims (Senate Bill 751, Public Chapter 515).

May 25, 2021Supports Social Programs and Welfare

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, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

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, 2025Opposes Public Education Quality

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, 2022Supports Public Education Quality

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

Voted to pass SB 2028, which bars cities and counties from setting rules on how wildlife may be taken. The Tennessee Senate passed it 24-7, and it became law.

March 12, 2026Opposes Gun Control

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 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, 2019Supports Election Integrity

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, 2026Supports Data Privacy

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, 2023Supports Data Privacy

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

Voted to pass HB 754, which makes gender clinics report every gender transition procedure to the state. The Tennessee Senate passed it 24-7, and it became law.

April 13, 2026Opposes Civil Rights

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

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

March 19, 2026Opposes Civil Rights

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, 2025Opposes Civil Rights

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, 2025Opposes Civil Rights

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

Voted to pass HB 1237, which bars race-based rules for who sits on state boards. The Tennessee Senate passed it 24-6, and it became law.

March 31, 2025Opposes Civil Rights

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 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, 2024Supports Civil Rights

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

Voted to pass HB 2175, which makes delivery companies and drivers carry set car insurance while logged on and while delivering. The Tennessee Senate passed it 19-9, and it became law.

April 23, 2026Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Voted for Senate Bill 2040, which bars an owner from controlling a pharmacy plus both a health insurer and drug-benefit manager from 2028. The Tennessee Senate passed it 24-9, and it became law.

April 20, 2026Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: legiscan.com · researched August 27, 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, 2025Supports Corporate Accountability

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, 2023Supports Corporate Accountability

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 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

Led a bill proposing to end Tennessee's 4 percent state sales tax on groceries, leaving the higher rate on prepared food, candy, alcohol, dietary supplements and tobacco (Senate Bill 1367). State analysts estimated the change at about $808 million a year less for the state general fund.

April 20, 2026

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

Voted against HB 1971, which narrows the law letting people ask a court to declare a government action unlawful to local bodies. The Tennessee Senate passed it 18-13, and it became law.

April 2, 2026

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 2064, proposing to require a public vote before a Tennessee local government raises property tax revenue more than inflation plus 2%.

March 25, 2026

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

Sponsored the 2023 state law cutting Nashville's combined city-county council from 40 members to 20. The state Senate passed it 23-7 and the governor signed it. Courts put the law on hold, and a Tennessee appeals court then upheld it in a 2-1 ruling while it stayed on hold during further appeals.

June 17, 2025

Source: apnews.com · researched July 18, 2026

Voted against House Bill 1093, which raises the penalty for machine gun conversion parts to a Class C felony. The Tennessee Senate passed it 23-8, and it became law.

April 22, 2025

Source: legiscan.com · researched August 27, 2026

Voted against HB 601, which opens a late-stage innocence appeal to people who pleaded guilty. The Tennessee Senate passed it 24-6, and it became law.

April 10, 2025

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Voted against the Senate version of Senate Bill 336, which changed the child support condition for restoring voting rights to twelve months of compliance. The Senate passed it 24-8, and a later House rewrite became law.

April 10, 2025

Source: legiscan.com · researched August 27, 2026

Lead sponsor of a law letting patients with life-threatening or severely disabling illnesses ask a manufacturer for a treatment built from their own genetic profile that the FDA has not approved. It became law in March 2025 (Senate Bill 282, Public Chapter 45).

March 28, 2025

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