TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Lawmakers, TSSAA Support Bill on Transfers

Posted by: Azya Thornton on Feb 4, 2026

Less than a year after two lawmakers considered a government effort to dissolve the state’s high school athletics association, Sen. Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun, said he is no longer pursuing that option, and that he and the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) are now more aligned, the Commercial Appeal reports. Lowe said the association has responded to concerns from parents and students, citing the creation of a student advisory committee, and that a majority of member schools now support state legislation to loosen high school transfer rules. During the 2025 legislative session, the TSSAA opposed efforts by Lowe and Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, to codify transfer rules in state law, though the association later amended its constitution to allow a one-time transfer with exceptions while maintaining concerns about legislative involvement in its bylaws. Since then, the sides have worked together on a proposal that would allow student-athletes one transfer during their four-year varsity careers without a bona fide change of address if the move occurs between school years, while leaving eligibility standards and enforcement of recruiting rules to the TSSAA; the changes would likely take effect in the 2026-2027 school year if approved.

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