TISL General Assembly Mirrors
Legislature & Empowers Students

TISL is an exciting, fun and educational experience created by college students in 1966 to give themselves a voice in state government.

For four days in November, delegates from colleges across Tennessee convene in the State Capitol. They use the chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly to introduce, debate and vote on bills that could affect the future of the state and of the nation.

Almost daily, delegates interrupt their sessions to listen to and question public officials and political leaders. Previous speakers have included Gov. Phil Bredesen, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Court of Appeals Judge Frank Clement Jr., a former Governor of TISL.

The TISL General Assembly consists of a Senate and House of Representatives. Each school has one Senator. The House has 99 members, which are apportioned according to enrollment. Larger colleges have more seats in the House, and every college has at least two.

Final apportionment of the House depends on which schools choose to participate. You won't know exactly how many seats you have until the General Assembly.

Your college's General Assembly Fee includes a certain number of delegates, however, so you can organize your delegation before you know how many House seats you'll be allotted. Organizing Your Delegation

The presiding officer in each house is the Speaker -- Speaker of the Senate and Speaker of the House. Each Speaker is assisted by a Speaker Pro Tem. Proceedings in each house are governed by the Rules of Order. Intro to ParliPro

In addition, the executive officers chosen by the General Assembly are Governor and Secretary of State. The Governor appoints a State Treasurer. Officers

Each General Assembly elects officers to serve for the following year. Candidates are nominated on Friday and elected on Saturday. Elections

Every delegate is expected to write and introduce at least one bill for consideration. How to Draft a Bill

The General Assembly has standing committees, which consider bills after they're introduced and before they go to the Senate and House. Each standing committee has a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary appointed by the Governor. Standing Committees

Delegates stay at the business-class DoubleTree Hotel about two blocks from the Capitol. TISL negotiates very favorable rates. Lodging

Coinciding with the General Assembly is the annual session of the Tennessee Intercollegiate Supreme Court.