Dewey "Rusty" Crowe

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1580 prohibiting AI systems from advertising or representing themselves as qualified mental-health professionals; it became law.

April 6, 2026Supports AI Regulation

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

Co-sponsored the HOPE Treatment Act, which lets qualified research institutions run clinical trials of ibogaine to treat opioid addiction and other mental health conditions (Senate Bill 2149, Public Chapter 1119).

May 22, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

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

Sponsored a law creating a pilot program that gives family caregivers of people with dementia grants of up to $6,000 a year (Senate Bill 1777, Public Chapter 940).

May 18, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

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

Co-sponsored a law creating a state program that repays Tennessee National Guard members for TRICARE health and dental premiums they pay themselves. The House passed it 94-0 (Senate Bill 530, Public Chapter 483).

May 27, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

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

Co-sponsored a law barring drug makers from restricting hospitals and clinics in the federal 340B discount-drug program from using outside contract pharmacies. The Senate passed it 27-5 and the House 82-4, and the governor signed it as Public Chapter 404.

May 5, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

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

In 2024, critics alleged a conflict between Crowe's Ballad Health contract and his Health Committee chairmanship during consideration of legislation affecting medical monopolies; Crowe said he intended to declare the conflict and defended the COPA as protecting regional health care under state oversight.

March 27, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: tennesseelookout.com · researched July 18, 2026

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1580 prohibiting AI systems from advertising or representing themselves as qualified mental-health professionals; it became law.

April 6, 2026Supports 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

Co-sponsored a law making Tennessee agencies publish proposed rules 45 days in advance and estimate their compliance costs (Senate Bill 2199, Public Chapter 994).

May 26, 2026Supports Government Efficiency

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

Co-sponsored a new Tennessee law requiring state licensing boards to recognize job licenses held by active-duty servicemembers and their spouses who move to Tennessee on military orders. It passed the Senate 33-0 and the House 91-0 and was signed in May 2026 (Senate Bill 1692, Public Chapter 1081).

May 22, 2026Supports Government Efficiency

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 2441 requiring closure of virtual schools that fail continued-operation requirements and publication of associated provider information; it became law.

May 18, 2026Supports Government Efficiency

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1778 exempting Tennessee Emergency Management Agency disaster grants from specified procurement requirements while preserving inspection and audit authority; it became law.

March 18, 2026Supports Government Efficiency

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 293 separating the Tennessee State Guard within the military department for budgetary purposes; it became Public Chapter 331.

May 8, 2025Supports 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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 293 separating the Tennessee State Guard within the military department for budgetary purposes; it became Public Chapter 331.

May 8, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1587 creating criminal and civil consequences connected to operation of commercial vehicles by people unlawfully present in the United States and requiring federal immigration notification after specified arrests; it became law.

May 27, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 2177 requiring a study of law-enforcement salaries and benefits and authorizing hazardous-duty designations for highway patrol members; it became law.

May 22, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 2088 authorizing consensual blood or urine testing for psychotropic drugs when police have probable cause to believe a person committed a mass shooting and directing a related drug-interaction study; it became law.

May 18, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 2087 requiring same-day parent or guardian notice after classroom evacuations, subject to emergency and law-enforcement-investigation exceptions; it became law.

May 5, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1710 requiring K-12 child-trafficking-awareness and prevention instruction through health education; it became Public Chapter 744.

April 23, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1778 exempting Tennessee Emergency Management Agency disaster grants from specified procurement requirements while preserving inspection and audit authority; it became law.

March 18, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

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

Sponsored a law letting Tennessee local governments build, lease, and rent affordable housing for teachers, police officers, and other essential public employees (Senate Bill 1849, Public Chapter 1101). The Senate passed it 28-0 and the House 92-1.

May 22, 2026Supports Housing Affordability

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

Sponsored a law creating a pilot program that gives family caregivers of people with dementia grants of up to $6,000 a year (Senate Bill 1777, Public Chapter 940).

May 18, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 560 clarifying that a family's economic disadvantage alone is not neglect or grounds for terminating parental rights; it passed both chambers.

April 23, 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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 295 extending public higher-education tuition and fee waivers to spouses and dependent children of veterans with permanent total service-connected disabilities; it became law.

April 13, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 2441 requiring closure of virtual schools that fail continued-operation requirements and publication of associated provider information; it became law.

May 18, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

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

Sponsored a law pausing approval of new out-of-state nursing programs that want to enroll Tennessee students or use Tennessee clinical sites for two years (Senate Bill 2013). It took effect April 27, 2026.

April 27, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1710 requiring K-12 child-trafficking-awareness and prevention instruction through health education; it became Public Chapter 744.

April 23, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 295 extending public higher-education tuition and fee waivers to spouses and dependent children of veterans with permanent total service-connected disabilities; it became law.

April 13, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 471 requiring family-life curricula to address a sequence of high-school completion, work or postsecondary study, marriage, and children; it became law.

April 29, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

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

Co-sponsored a Tennessee law barring the Department of Children's Services from asking foster parents or applicants how many or what type of guns and ammunition they own. The law also bars asking those parents to display a firearm or give access to one. It took effect April 27, 2026 (Senate Bill 2459).

April 27, 2026Opposes Gun Control

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

Voted for 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, 2025Supports Gun Control

Source: legiscan.com · researched August 27, 2026

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1587 creating criminal and civil consequences connected to operation of commercial vehicles by people unlawfully present in the United States and requiring federal immigration notification after specified arrests; it became law.

May 27, 2026Opposes Civil Rights

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

Co-sponsored a Tennessee law requiring the head of each public college or university to certify yearly that the school used no preference favoring a group to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion. The certifications go to the state comptroller of the treasury, the state's financial watchdog, starting January 1, 2027, and the law lets the attorney general investigate. It took effect May 22, 2026 (Senate Bill 1713).

May 22, 2026Opposes Civil Rights

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 560 clarifying that a family's economic disadvantage alone is not neglect or grounds for terminating parental rights; it passed both chambers.

April 23, 2026Supports Civil Rights

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

Voted to pass HB 1271, which requires cities and counties to define sex and gender in their rules by physical traits at birth. The Tennessee Senate passed it 24-6, and it became law.

April 22, 2026Opposes Civil Rights

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 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

Voted to pass 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, 2025Supports Civil Rights

Source: legiscan.com · researched September 6, 2026

Voted for 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, 2025Supports Civil Rights

Source: legiscan.com · researched August 27, 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

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

Crowe sponsored Senate Bill 1580 prohibiting AI systems from advertising or representing themselves as qualified mental-health professionals; it became law.

April 6, 2026Supports Corporate Accountability

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

Co-sponsored a law barring drug makers from restricting hospitals and clinics in the federal 340B discount-drug program from using outside contract pharmacies. The Senate passed it 27-5 and the House 82-4, and the governor signed it as Public Chapter 404.

May 5, 2025Supports Corporate Accountability

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

Crowe co-sponsored the 2015 Tennessee law authorizing a Certificate of Public Advantage for the hospital merger that created Ballad Health while working as a contractor for Mountain States Health Alliance; he later contracted with Ballad and said he complied with Senate ethics rules.

May 18, 2015Opposes Corporate Accountability

Source: kffhealthnews.org · 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

Crowe won the 2022 general election for Tennessee Senate District 3 with 39,237 votes, or 75.0 percent.

November 8, 2022

Source: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com · researched July 18, 2026

Dewey "Rusty" Crowe has served in the Tennessee Senate since 1990 and is a member of the 97th through 114th General Assemblies.

November 6, 1990

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

Crowe served in the U.S. Army in Southeast Asia from 1967 through 1971, including military-intelligence work intercepting coded messages.

December 31, 1971

Source: etsualumni.org · researched July 18, 2026