Tennessee General Assembly information, click HERE. For information on State Senators, including phone numbers and email addresses, click HERE; for House members, click HERE. For information on legislation, click HERE.
Don't forget that you can now watch the Senate committee meetings and floor sessions online by going HERE; House committee meetings and floor sessions online HERE.
Phone calls can go to the legislative Switchboard at 615-741-3011 or to the Toll Free number 1-800-449-8366+1 last four digits of office phone number (available online).
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| "The democracy will cease to exist when you take way from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -- Thomas Jefferson |
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FOR YOUR PRAYER LIST:
Glad that Lt. Gov. Randy McNally has improved enough to be back at the Capitol this week after an extended recovery period from his ankle surgery. Sen. Paul Rose was out this week. The three calendars for next week are 172 pages long. Lots to pray about there for sure.
JOEL'S CORNER:
This week I was able to talk to multiple legislators about the ability for power to corrupt. It is an honor to hold an elected position and those responsibilities are serious. It is encouraging to know that we have a lot of good godly men and women in our legislature, and I am fortunate to have been able to meet quite a few of them.
NICK'S CORNER:
This week at the Tennessee State Capitol was a time where I saw and felt the Holy Spirit move in large ways. Before the day began, I had specifically prayed for God's healing fingerprints. I quickly found myself engaged in life-giving conversations and I walked away from my time that day with a deeper and wider appreciation of God's great love and the amazing plans God has for my life. Not only this, I witnessed God's sweetness move in another conversation with someone that was working there that day. He is a divine orchestrator.
FIRST BILL:
EDUCATION FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP ACT:
SB2787 Johnson - HB2468 Lamberth
Education - As introduced, requires the department of education to study the school choice programs available in other states and to submit a report of the department's findings at the conclusion of the study to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Speaker of the Senate no later than January 1, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 49
STATUS: With its AMENDMENT, SB2787was moved to the final calendar of Senate Education; HB2468 was taken off notice in K-12 Education subcommittee. This probably means we won't see it any longer.
SECOND BILL:
SB 0503 by *Johnson - Lamberth- HB 1183
by *Lamberth , WHITE, CEPICKY, MOODY, SLATER, GARRETT
Education - As introduced, extends from October to November, the time within which a public institution of higher education that receives funds from the distribution of credit cards to students or any percentage from the use of cards bearing the college or university name or logo must report the amount of such funds or percentage received as well as how the funds were expended during the previous fiscal year to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8 and Title 49
STATUS:
SB503 was heard for over two hours in Senate Education on Wednesday where TWO amendments were added: 014400 (17 pages) and 014256 (7 pages) were added. Final action was deferred, and the discussion will continue in that committee on Wednesday.
STATUS:
HB1183 was presented in House K-12 Subcommittee by Rep. White where Amendment 14448 (39 pages) was added. After more than two hours of discussion, the bill, as amended, was passed 6-2-2:
Reps voting aye were: Bulso, Haston, Marsh, Slater, Stevens, White -- 6. Reps. voting no were: McKenzie, Warner -- 2. Reps. voting present and not voting were: Hurt, Richey -- 2.
HB1183 is scheduled in House Education Administration on Wednesday.
To say that this is a ever-changing, work in process as it goes through the 'sausage making' machine is a real understatement.
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WE ARE A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC:
HJR 0717 by *Hakeem , Freeman
Constitutional Amendments - Proposes amendment to allow people to propose laws by initiative petition.
We hold elections every two, four and six years to ELECT men and women to present potential laws for discussion and debate, and then a vote. Nothing keeps the public from bringing legislative ideas or needs to lawmakers right now and, in fact, that happens all the time. This process invites outside groups with a lot of money to come into TN and impact our politics and our elections. This is unneeded and has the potential to be problematic. Judging from the number of bills that are filed in any given year, I don't think the lawmakers need any help coming up with ideas.
STATUS: . HJR717 is in House Public Service subcommittee on Tuesday.
ACTION: Please contact these members and urge them to OPPOSE this proposal:
Rep. Iris Rudder rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Rebecca Alexander rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Rick Eldridge rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Curtis Johnson rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Kelly Keisling rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dennis Powers rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov
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SAFETY TRAINING FOR STUDENTS:
SB 2923 by *Bailey - HB 2882 by *Todd
Education, Curriculum - As introduced, requires, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each local education agency and public charter school to provide students with age-appropriate and grade-appropriate instruction on firearm safety. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6
STATUS: So pleased to announce that HB2882 passed the House floor 79-12. We are awaiting SB2923 to be scheduled in Senate Education.
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REQUIREMENT OF GLOBAL POSITIONING MONITORING DEVICE
SB 1972 by *Rose - HB 2692 by *Doggett, HARDAWAY, TOWNS, LAMBERTH, MOODY, RUSSELL, GILLESPIE, DAVIS, HOWELL, HULSEY, JOHNSON G, FARMER, CARRINGER, FRITTS
Domestic Violence - As introduced, requires the court to order an offender to wear a global positioning monitoring system device under certain circumstances unless the court finds the offender no longer poses a threat to the alleged victim or public safety; specifies that a cellular device application or electronic receptor device provided to the victim must be capable of notifying the victim if the offender is within a prescribed proximity of the victim's cellular device or electronic receptor device; requires a county or municipality utilizing global positioning monitoring system devices to enter into a written agreement with a qualified contract service provider; removes civil and criminal liability under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40, Chapter 11 and Title 55, Chapter 10
Lawmakers on domestic violence GPS bill: 'This is one of the most consequential legislations we will pass'.
STATUS: HB2692, as AMENDED, was in Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday, where, because of the significant fiscal note, was "placed behind the budget". That means this cost was not included in the Governor's budget and the bill will have to wait to see if there will be enough money to fund the bill.
STATUS: SB1972 was postponed but is scheduled in Senate Judiciary on Tuesday.
Sen. Todd Gardenhire - (615) 741-6682 - sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Dawn White (615) 741-6853 sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Sara Kyle – (615) 741- 4167 sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. London Lamar - (615) 741-2509 - sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Jon Lundberg - (615) 741-5761 - sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Kerry Roberts (615) 741-4499 sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. John Stevens - (615) 741-4576 - sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Brent Taylor(615) 741-3036 sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov
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REQUIRING REASONABLE RESPONSIBILITY:
SB 2115 by *Swann - HB 2831 by *Camper
Boats, Boating - As introduced, increases from 12 to 16 the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft without direct adult supervision; requires persons operating personal watercraft to maintain financial responsibility in same amounts applicable to motor vehicles. - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 9
STATUS: HB2831 was in the House Departments & Agencies subcommittee on Wednesday where, for obvious reasons, passed unanimously.
Roy Herron, longtime Tenn. Democratic lawmaker, dies at 69 after injuries from jet ski accident
The testimony of his wife, Rev. Nancy Carol Miller-Herron, was touching and heartbreaking. For many years, Roy was a fixture in the political world. Many of you will remember him. He served 26 years in the state’s House and Senate, where he was floor leader and caucus chair for the Democrats. He chaired the state Democratic Party from 2013 to 2015. I have no doubt that this bill will pass.
A bill that would ban Pride flags in schools hits a major roadblock in Tennessee’s senate
Tennessee House votes to allow Super Bowl deals to remain hidden for 10 years
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