Amends TCA Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 1.

This bill authorizes each house of the general assembly to appoint a chaplain at the start of each biennial legislative session by voting on nominations made from the floor of the respective house. Nominees must be a member of the clergy and have experience in providing spiritual guidance and counseling. The nominee receiving the majority of the votes is appointed to serve as the chaplain for that respective house for the duration of the biennial session. A vacancy in the office of chaplain for the remainder of an unexpired term must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. This bill requires the following to be given to an appointed chaplain: (1) Access to each building where staff and member offices are located, including the second floor of the state capitol; (2) An assigned parking space; (3) An office; (4) Equipment and supplies, including a computer, a printer, a copy machine and scanner, paper, and other usual and customary office supplies; and (5) Reimbursement for expenses, including mileage and per diem. Under this bill, the respective house must pay the costs associated with the items under (1)-(5). Additionally, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives are authorized to provide additional compensation for their respective chaplain from available discretionary funds. This bill requires the office of chaplain to be nonpartisan, nonpolitical, and nonsectarian. Further, the creation of a chaplaincy does not affect the tradition in both chambers of permitting a religious leader to open a floor session of either chamber. However, the chaplain may open a floor session upon request of the speaker of the senate or the speaker of the house of representatives.