A RESOLUTION to propose an amendment to Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Tennessee to authorize state lottery funding for veterans' services.

The bill proposes a change to the Tennessee Constitution that would allow the state lottery to create games specifically to fund services for veterans. This means that money raised from these lottery games could be used to support programs and resources for veterans in Tennessee. If passed, it would give the state legislature the power to direct lottery funds towards veterans' needs.

TN SJR0614 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Richard Briggs (R), currently “Introduced” since January 21, 2026.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 137 of them sponsored by Richard Briggs.

Supporters of the bill argue that it provides a valuable opportunity to enhance funding for veterans' services without raising taxes. They believe that utilizing lottery revenue for this purpose is a responsible way to honor and support those who have served in the military, ensuring they receive the care and resources they deserve.

Critics may argue that relying on lottery funding for veterans' services could lead to unstable and insufficient financial support. They might express concerns that this approach could trivialize the serious needs of veterans by tying their services to gambling revenue, which could fluctuate and be unpredictable.

The proposed bill SJR0614 seeks to amend the Tennessee Constitution to allow state lottery funding for veterans' services. The sponsor, Richard Briggs, has a diverse set of personal financial interests, including his occupation as a cardiothoracic surgeon and various roles in government and education. However, there are no direct overlaps between his financial interests and the gambling or veterans' services sectors impacted by this bill. While he is a veteran and has connections to the military through his employment with DFAS US ARMY RETIREMENT, these interests do not present a clear financial conflict regarding the lottery funding aspect of the bill.

Briggs' involvement with the American Heart Association and his role in commercial real estate also do not intersect with the lottery or veterans' funding. The absence of any direct financial stake in the lottery or gambling industries suggests that he is unlikely to gain personally from the passage of this resolution. Therefore, the risk of a conflict of interest is assessed as low, as there are no evident financial incentives that would benefit him directly from this legislation.

Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.

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