Paul Bailey
Republican · TN · Tennessee State Senator, District 15; Chair, Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Paul Bailey is the Republican Tennessee state senator for District 15 and chair of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. A former state representative and White County Commission chairman, he is a trucking-company owner and farmer whose legislative work spans labor and commerce, public safety, transportation, healthcare, education, firearms, consumer protection, and Upper Cumberland development.
Campaign Finance Information — Tennessee Senate District 15
Campaign Finance Information · Tennessee Senate District 15 · August 6, 2026
Data last updated July 22, 2026
- Raised
- $140,715
Top disclosed occupations of direct donors
- CEO$19,900
- RETIRED$16,940
- PRESIDENT$14,500
- OWNER$10,700
Show 1 more
- HOMEMAKER$9,600
Direct contributions by size
- $1,000-$4,999$108,750
- $500-$999$26,850
- $250-$499$3,550
- $100-$249$1,400
- $1-$99$165
Source: Tennessee Registry of Election Finance · 2026 cycle · apps.tn.gov
Track record
Environment and Public Health
· 2 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 354, enacted as Public Chapter 925, authorizing agreements for private development and operation of facilities on land within Cumberland Mountain State Park subject to state approvals.
May 14, 2026Against
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 915, enacted in 2025, lifting certain temporary borrow-pit restrictions for Hurricane Helene road-recovery projects.
April 29, 2025Against
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Reduce Wealth Gap
· 1 record
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2453, enacted as Public Chapter 1038, extending eligibility deadlines for sales-tax-supported commercial development districts near distressed rural counties.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Government Efficiency
· 5 records
Bailey chairs the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and serves on Fiscal Review and the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee.
July 18, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2461, enacted in 2026, requiring Tennessee fertility clinics to obtain state certificates to perform assisted reproductive technology services.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2473, enacted in 2026, vacating and reconstituting governing boards for metropolitan and regional airport authorities.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1904, enacted in 2026, lowering the minimum age for a bid-caller auctioneer license from 18 to 16.
May 5, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Before serving in the General Assembly, Bailey served on and formerly chaired the White County Commission.
December 31, 2013For
Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com · researched July 18, 2026
Healthcare Affordability
· 6 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1610, enacted in 2026, authorizing Putnam County and its cities to regulate sober-living homes consistently with federal fair-housing and disability laws.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2461, enacted in 2026, requiring Tennessee fertility clinics to obtain state certificates to perform assisted reproductive technology services.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1815, enacted as the Grace Anne Sparks Coercive Suicide Prevention Law of 2026.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 343, enacted in 2026, authorizing licensed paramedics to determine and pronounce death beginning in 2027.
May 18, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 128, enacted in 2025, making changes to chiropractic practice including animal chiropractic practice.
May 13, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 606, enacted as Public Chapter 339, revising fee limits for patient medical-record requests.
May 8, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Public Safety and Crime Control
· 14 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2469, enacted in 2026, revising the exemption for judges from the offense of carrying weapons during judicial proceedings.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2468, enacted in 2026, revising offenses occurring at houses of worship.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1815, enacted as the Grace Anne Sparks Coercive Suicide Prevention Law of 2026.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2466, enacted in 2026, revising criminal law concerning fraudulent freight theft.
May 4, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2465 to bar certain juveniles adjudicated for mass-violence threats from possessing firearms until age 25 and to increase penalties for sexual exploitation of a minor; the bill was laid on the desk in April 2026.
April 23, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2467 to repeal certain firearm-carry offenses and allow firearm possession five years after stalking or misdemeanor domestic-violence convictions; action was deferred to 2027.
March 23, 2026Against
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2455 to permit longer delays of financial transactions when a provider suspects financial exploitation.
February 5, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1607 to raise assault against a first responder to a Class E felony with a $10,000 fine and mandatory minimum sentence.
January 15, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 289, enacted as Public Chapter 480, creating a workers' compensation presumption for law-enforcement officers and emergency medical responders diagnosed with PTSD after specified incidents.
May 27, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 288, enacted in 2025, adding prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancers to employment-related cancer presumptions for full-time firefighters.
May 15, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 408, enacted in 2025, governing school-bus contractor liability immunity and required insurance coverage.
May 13, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 290, enacted in 2025, requiring certain student, locker, vehicle, and property searches to be conducted by a school resource officer.
April 29, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 292, enacted as Public Chapter 90, creating a process for immediate sheriff-assisted removal of unlawful occupants from commercial property.
April 4, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 512, enacted in 2025, prohibiting sales and free samples of counterfeit or unsafe lighters.
March 21, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Housing Affordability
· 2 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1610, enacted in 2026, authorizing Putnam County and its cities to regulate sober-living homes consistently with federal fair-housing and disability laws.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 292, enacted as Public Chapter 90, creating a process for immediate sheriff-assisted removal of unlawful occupants from commercial property.
April 4, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Social Programs and Welfare
· 5 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1911 requiring Tennessee to seek available federal Summer EBT funds to provide nutrition assistance to eligible children.
April 20, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1608 to waive public higher-education tuition and fees for dependent children of law-enforcement officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty.
February 17, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 289, enacted as Public Chapter 480, creating a workers' compensation presumption for law-enforcement officers and emergency medical responders diagnosed with PTSD after specified incidents.
May 27, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 288, enacted in 2025, adding prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancers to employment-related cancer presumptions for full-time firefighters.
May 15, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 602, enacted in 2025, setting teacher-evaluation attribution guidelines and allowing payment of unused leave to the estate of a teacher who dies while employed.
May 15, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Public Education Quality
· 5 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1612, enacted as Public Chapter 826, allowing full-time state employees to use tuition waivers for more than one course at a time.
May 22, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1608 to waive public higher-education tuition and fees for dependent children of law-enforcement officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty.
February 17, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 602, enacted in 2025, setting teacher-evaluation attribution guidelines and allowing payment of unused leave to the estate of a teacher who dies while employed.
May 15, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 408, enacted in 2025, governing school-bus contractor liability immunity and required insurance coverage.
May 13, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 290, enacted in 2025, requiring certain student, locker, vehicle, and property searches to be conducted by a school resource officer.
April 29, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Gun Control
· 4 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2469, enacted in 2026, revising the exemption for judges from the offense of carrying weapons during judicial proceedings.
May 27, 2026Against
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2459, enacted in 2026, generally barring the Department of Children's Services from demanding firearm inventory details or firearm access from foster parents and applicants.
May 4, 2026Against
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2465 to bar certain juveniles adjudicated for mass-violence threats from possessing firearms until age 25 and to increase penalties for sexual exploitation of a minor; the bill was laid on the desk in April 2026.
April 23, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2467 to repeal certain firearm-carry offenses and allow firearm possession five years after stalking or misdemeanor domestic-violence convictions; action was deferred to 2027.
March 23, 2026Against
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Personal Income Tax Reduction
· 1 record
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1612, enacted as Public Chapter 826, allowing full-time state employees to use tuition waivers for more than one course at a time.
May 22, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Data Privacy
· 2 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2459, enacted in 2026, generally barring the Department of Children's Services from demanding firearm inventory details or firearm access from foster parents and applicants.
May 4, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1807 to prohibit personalized algorithmic pricing for specific goods and services under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act.
April 7, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Civil Rights
· 1 record
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1610, enacted in 2026, authorizing Putnam County and its cities to regulate sober-living homes consistently with federal fair-housing and disability laws.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Corporate Accountability
· 5 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2458, enacted as Public Chapter 1011, requiring delivery network companies and drivers to meet automobile-liability insurance requirements.
May 26, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2466, enacted in 2026, revising criminal law concerning fraudulent freight theft.
May 4, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 1807 to prohibit personalized algorithmic pricing for specific goods and services under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act.
April 7, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2455 to permit longer delays of financial transactions when a provider suspects financial exploitation.
February 5, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 606, enacted as Public Chapter 339, revising fee limits for patient medical-record requests.
May 8, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Public Infrastructure
· 4 records
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2453, enacted as Public Chapter 1038, extending eligibility deadlines for sales-tax-supported commercial development districts near distressed rural counties.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 2473, enacted in 2026, vacating and reconstituting governing boards for metropolitan and regional airport authorities.
May 27, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 354, enacted as Public Chapter 925, authorizing agreements for private development and operation of facilities on land within Cumberland Mountain State Park subject to state approvals.
May 14, 2026For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 915, enacted in 2025, lifting certain temporary borrow-pit restrictions for Hurricane Helene road-recovery projects.
April 29, 2025For
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
General
· 6 records
Bailey is the sole printed Republican candidate for Tennessee Senate District 15 in the August 6, 2026 primary; no Democratic candidate qualified.
July 17, 2026
Source: putnamcountytn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey owns Charles Bailey Trucking and works as a small farmer in the Upper Cumberland region.
June 12, 2026
Source: mainstreetjournal.llc · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey sponsored Senate Bill 995, enacted as Public Chapter 934, establishing rebuttable presumptions for determining whether post-employment restrictive covenants are reasonable in duration.
May 15, 2026
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey has represented Tennessee Senate District 15 since the 109th General Assembly and has served through the 114th General Assembly.
January 13, 2015
Source: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Bailey served in the Tennessee House during the 108th General Assembly before moving to the Senate.
January 7, 2014
Source: capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Paul Bailey was appointed in January 2014 to fill Tennessee House District 43 after Charles Curtiss resigned.
January 6, 2014
Source: capitol.tn.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Elections
- Tennessee Senate District 15 · August 6, 2026 · State Senate District 15; Tennessee · incumbent
Profile last researched July 18, 2026.