REP. SUSAN LYNN -
TN STATE LEGISLATURE - DIST. 57
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
https://www.facebook.com/StateRepSusanLynn
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Lynn
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http://securenets1.com/representative-susanlynn-updates.htm
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https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/archives/109GA/members/h57.html
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE (WEEK 1) – JANUARY 12, 2024
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Tennessee General Assembly Gavels in
for 2024
(http://securenets1.com/TNAssembly-01122024.jpg) -
The TN 113th General Assembly reconvened in Nashville this
week for the start of its second legislative session. Republicans this year
will continue focusing on making strategic investments in education and public
safety while also strengthening the economy and cutting taxes. Among the top
priorities for 2024 will be to approve a spending plan that addresses the needs
of all Tennesseans. After nearly a decade of unprecedented economic growth,
lawmakers will have to be even more conservative with their spending in 2024 as
experts expect a $300 million shortfall in the budget. The State Funding Board
estimated revenue growth for the 2023 fiscal year to be at 7.7 percent,
however, actual growth was closer to 5.39 percent.
Despite lagging revenue collections
and record-high inflation, the Volunteer State remains in a strong overall
financial position with its economy continuing to outperform the national
average. Tennessee has a long tradition of being a well-managed state with an
incredibly low tax burden for residents. The General Assembly in 2023 invested
an additional $250 million into the state’s Rainy-Day Fund, bringing it to more
than $2 billion in total. This increases Tennessee’s financial stability and
will benefit the state in the event of an economic downturn.
Supporting students and educators
will also continue to be a priority for the Republican supermajority this
session. Lawmakers have increased funding for K-12 education by $1.3 billion
since fiscal year 2022-23, prioritized the individual needs of students with
passage of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act and
approved the largest pay increase for teachers in state history. Members of the
General Assembly this year will explore a proposal from Gov. Bill Lee that
would expand school choice statewide through the Education Freedom
Scholarship Act. This legislation would give families more control over how
their tax dollars are used
for their child’s education.
Improving public safety and
protecting communities from crime will be another key area of focus this
session. The General Assembly will consider measures to provide law enforcement
with additional tools to keep criminals off the streets along with proposals to
ensure offenders receive the appropriate sentences for their crimes. Last year,
lawmakers approved $232 million to enhance school safety in Tennessee and will
continue looking for additional ways to keep classrooms safe. Republicans will
also look for ways to provide additional mental health support for residents as
well as improve access to health care in rural communities along with other
legislative initiatives that address various needs statewide. Tennessee
continues to thrive under conservative leadership, and House Republicans seek
to build on that momentum in 2024.
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Bill Aims to close Loophole for
Defendants Found Incompetent to Stand Trial
(http://securenets1.com/MajorityLeaderWilliamLamberth.jpg) - As
part of an aggressive push to improve public safety in Tennessee, a Republican
bill would close a legal loophole for defendants found incompetent to
stand trial. House Bill 1640 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1640 ), sponsored
by House Majority leader William Lamberth (R-Portland),, would require
criminal defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial to be committed to an
appropriate treatment facility. Current state law does not provide this
requirement.
“This closes a loophole that puts the
public’s safety at serious risk by allowing dangerous individuals back into
society to languish and re-offend without receiving the appropriate mental
health services and supervision they desperately need,” Lamberth
said.
The legislation was introduced
following the murder of Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old Belmont
University freshman who was fatally shot while walking in a Nashville park on Nov. 7. Her
killer, Shaquille Taylor, was a repeat violent offender prosecuted in April
2023 for a separate crime of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The case
against Taylor was dismissed after three court-appointed physicians testified he
was incompetent to stand trial and was released from custody. “This loss
is an incomprehensible, senseless tragedy that exposes a critical failure in
our judicial and mental health care systems,” Lamberth said. “I
expect this legislation to close the wide gap in current law so that
law-abiding citizens are protected from anything like this ever happening again
in our state.” The legislation would additionally require individuals
deemed incompetent to stand trial to be entered into the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System, which serves as a namecheck database of
people prohibited from buying or owning firearms.
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AI Protections for Music Industry
(http://securenets1.com/AIProtectionAct.jpg) -
Republicans unveiled legislation to address the damaging impact artificial
intelligence (AI) can have on the music industry in Tennessee. Gov. Bill Lee
announced the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act (https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2024/1/10/tennessee-first-in-the-nation-to-address-ai-impact-on-music-industry.html ) this
week, which will add protections for songwriters, performers, and music
industry professionals’ voice from the misuse of AI to Tennessee’s Protection
of Personal Rights law. Overall, the music industry supports more than 61,617
jobs across the state, contributes $5.8 billion to Tennessee’s GDP and fills
more than 4,500 music venues.
“From Beale Street to Broadway, to
Bristol and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that
tells the story of our great state,” Gov. Lee said. “As the
technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, we’re proud to lead
the nation in proposing legal protection for our best-in-class artists and
songwriters.” While Tennessee’s existing law protects name, image and likeness, it doesn’t
specifically address new, personalized generative AI cloning models and
services that enable human impersonation and allow users to make unauthorized
fake works in the image and voice of others. Artists and musicians at all
levels are facing exploitation and the theft of their integrity, identity, and
humanity.
(http://securenets1.com/MajorityLeaderWilliamLamberth.jpg) - “Tennessee
is home to a remarkably diverse music community that is important not only to the
culture of our state, but its economy as well,” said House
Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland. “As technology
advances, we must ensure the intellectual property of these incredibly talented
artists, such as their voice, is fully protected. I am incredibly proud to
carry this legislation that will benefit the performers who make our music
industry so successful.” The ELVIS Act would be the first legislation
of its kind in the nation to build upon existing state rule protecting against
the unauthorized use of someone’s likeness by adding “voice” to the realm it
protects.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE (WEEK 2) – JANUARY 26, 2024
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Republicans propose penalties
for abortion trafficking
(http://securenets1.com/TNAssembly-01262024.jpg) - House Republicans this
week reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the unborn by
introducing legislation to make abortion trafficking of a minor a Class C
felony. House Bill 1895 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1895 ), proposed by State
Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville), seeks to stop anyone who attempts to
circumvent the state’s current abortion law by helping to facilitate an
abortion for the minor without parental consent. If the bill becomes law, it
will become illegal for any adult to recruit, harbor, or transport a pregnant,
unemancipated minor for a criminal abortion, help a minor obtain an
abortion-inducing medication, or conceal an act resulting in a criminal
abortion.
“Tennessee Republicans will
never stop working to advance and uphold the pro-life and pro-family values
held by an overwhelming majority of people in this state. We will continue our
commitment to protect parents’ rights and defend the defenseless,” Zachary said.
Republicans in the General Assembly in 2019 laid the groundwork to ensure life
is protected at conception in Tennessee should the U.S. Supreme Court ever
reverse its decision to legalize abortion. The General Assembly that year
passed the Human Life Protection Act (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/111/pub/pc0351.pdf ), a conditional trigger law
written to go into effect 30 days following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning
Roe vs. Wade. When the high court overturned its 1973 decision on June 24,
2022, the Human Life Protection Act became law and automatically made abortion
for any reason a felony in Tennessee. House Bill 1895 is expected to begin
moving through committees in the coming weeks.
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Republicans introduce
Protecting Children from Social Media Act
(http://securenets1.com/ProtectingChildrenFromSocialMedia.jpg) - Republicans have
introduced legislation to restore parental authority on social media platforms
by requiring online companies to verify ages of account holders. House Bill
1891 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1891 ), the Protecting
Children from Social Media Act, filed by State Rep. Jake McCalmon
(R-Franklin) (https://tnred.com/t/state-rep-jake-mccalmon-introduces-protecting-children-from-social-media-act/870 ), in partnership with Gov.
Bill Lee’s administration, requires social media companies to verify parental
consent for minors who wish to become account holders. It gives parents a high
level of access to supervise their child’s online interactions as well as the
ability to revoke consent. “Social media has hurt a generation of young
people by exposing them to unhealthy content and dangerous interactions with
strangers online. They have become victims of companies who have deliberately
targeted them for profit through addictive algorithms designed to maximize the
amount of time kids use them,” McCalmon said. “This bill applies
meaningful safeguards to protect children but ensures parents are the only
decision-makers when it comes to who communicates with their children online.”
House Bill 1891 would require social media
companies to provide privacy monitoring tools and control daily usage,
scheduled breaks, and parent notifications. It directs the Tennessee Attorney
General’s office, specifically the Division of Consumer Protection, to enforce
the law and handle complaints. The U.S. Surgeon General in 2023 released an
advisory warning to the public about the “profound risk of harm” social
media use has on young people. The advisory cites several studies and includes
a review of available evidence and further studies noting social media use is
up 95 percent among minors ages 13-17, with more than a third saying they used
social media “almost constantly.” Although age 13 is commonly the required
minimum age used by social media platforms in the United States, nearly 40
percent of children ages 8–12 use social media. Similar legislation requiring
age verification on social media sites has passed in Arkansas, Louisiana,
Texas, and Utah.
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Tennessee children living in
poverty continues to decline
(http://securenets1.com/TNStateOfTheChild.jpg) - The number of Tennessee
children living in poverty has declined more than 8 percent over the last
decade, according to the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth’s State of
the Child 2023 report. The commission reports 17.6 percent of Tennessee children
were living below the federal poverty level in 2022, compared to 25.8 percent
in 2012. A family of three earning less than $23,030 is considered to be living
below the federal poverty level, a metric of income used to determine
eligibility for public programs. The annual data book tracks the status of
children by analyzing state-level statistical indicators of child well-being
using social, educational, economic and health data.
“[This report] is a
compilation of existing data around how our children are doing in a variety of
areas,” Tennessee
Commission on Children and Youth Executive Director Richard Kennedy told
committee members during a presentation Wednesday. “With the report, it’s
really important for us to try to be as balanced as possible, so we are very
mindful that there are lot of things that we are doing very well as a state and
there are lots of opportunities that we have.”
Additional highlights from the presentation include: 29%
of Tennessee high school students in 2021 reported their mental health was
either most of the time or always not good within the past month. 42% of
Tennessee high school students in 2021 reported symptoms of depression within
the previous year – a 63% increase from 2011. The suicide rate among Tennessee
youth 13-18 increase from
7 per 100,000 to 9.4 per 100,000 between 2019 and 2021. 11th graders across all
measures had the highest rate of suicidal behaviors and were the most likely to
have asked for help. 1 in 10 households with children in Tennessee reported
having a child that needed mental health treatment in September 2023. There
were 511 social workers serving 975,545 students statewide in 2022-23. There
were 660 school psychologists employed by Tennessee districts in 2022-23. The
complete State of the Child in Tennessee 2023 report can be found at https://www.tn.gov/tccy/programs0/kc/kc-pubs-nav.html
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE (WEEK 3) – FEBRUARY 2, 2024
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Jillian's Law Honors Slain
Belmont Student
(http://securenets1.com/JillianLudwig.jpg) - An amendment naming a new
law in honor of Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old Belmont University freshman who
was fatally shot while walking in a Nashville park last year, advanced out of
the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday. House Bill 1640 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1640 ), also known as
“Jillian’s Law,” aims to improve public safety by requiring criminal defendants
deemed incompetent to stand trial to be committed to an appropriate treatment
facility. Current state law does not provide this requirement.
(http://securenets1.com/StateRepRyanWilliams.jpg) - “The trauma
inflicted on the Ludwig family, her friends, and the Belmont community by this
senseless act is inconceivable,” said State Rep. Ryan
Williams (R-Cookeville), who introduced the amendment. “Every day
that a dangerous criminal is free on a technicality is a day that the public
safety is a serious risk.”
(http://securenets1.com/MajorityLeaderWilliamLamberth.jpg) House Majority Leader
William Lamberth (R-Portland) filed House Bill 1640 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1640 ) following the murder of
Ludwig, who was fatally shot while walking in a Nashville
park on Nov. 7. Her killer, Shaquille Taylor, was a repeat violent
offender prosecuted in April 2023 for a separate crime of aggravated assault
with a deadly weapon.
The case against Taylor was dismissed after three
court-appointed physicians testified he was incompetent to stand trial and was
released from custody. The legislation would additionally require individuals
deemed incompetent to stand trial to be entered into the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System, which serves as a namecheck database of
people prohibited from buying or owning firearms. Jillian’s Law is scheduled to
be heard in the House Criminal Justice Committee on Feb. 6, 2024.
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Tennessee Republicans Stand
with Texas to Secure Southern Border
(http://securenets1.com/SecureTheBorder.jpg) - House Republicans have
filed several pieces of legislation in support of Texas and its fight to secure
the southern border amid surging illegal immigration. House Joint Resolution
801 (https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HJR0801.pdf ), sponsored by State
Rep. Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin), urges the federal government to do
everything in its power to get the border crisis under control. A separate
resolution filed by State Rep. Jody Barrett (R-Dickson), also encourages
Gov. Bill Lee to continue allowing the Tennessee National Guard to assist Texas
in its efforts to combat illegal immigration.
“What’s happening at the
southern border is a foreign invasion and the Biden administration is
complicit,” McCalmon
said. “President Biden has been derelict in his duty to protect American
citizens and secure our nation’s borders. The federal government’s inaction has
put Tennesseans and Americans across the country at risk. We cannot afford the
current administration’s open border policies, which is why I am calling on
Biden to do his job and use every resource possible to stop the invasion.”
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House Joint Resolution 801 is
scheduled to be heard in the Departments and Agencies Subcommittee on Feb. 7
(http://securenets1.com/StateRepMontyFritts.jpg) - Additionally, a proposed
amendment to House Bill 2190 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2190 ), sponsored by State
Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston), would also authorize the governor, in
accordance with the state constitution, to deploy a brigade-sized force of
between 3,000 and 5,000 troops to Texas for up to a year. The deployment could
be extended for up to six months at a time upon approval of the General
Assembly. There have been more than 10 million reported illegal border
crossings within the last three years, which include apprehensions by U.S.
Customs and Border Protection and those who evaded capture. Since 2019,
Tennessee has sent 562 National Guard soldiers to help secure the southern
border.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE (WEEK 4) – FEBRUARY 9, 2024
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Gov. Bill Lee on Monday delivered his
sixth State of the State Address during a joint session of the General
Assembly.
(http://securenets1.com/GovLee-2024-StateOfTheState-jpg) - Gov. Bill Lee on Monday delivered his
sixth State of the State Address during a joint session of the General Assembly on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024
(http://securenets1.com/GovBillLee.jpg) – During his speech in the House chamber,
Lee highlighted his legislative priorities for 2024 along with a proposed $52.6
billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that enhances education,
strengthens public safety, cuts taxes and supports families across Tennessee. The
Governor’s proposed budget continued to make key investments in strategic areas
like education with more than $261 million in new funding for K-12 public
schools, including teacher pay increases. Education remains a top priority
this year. Lee underscored his focus on improving the state’s public schools,
while also ensuring parents have the freedom to make education
decisions specific to their child’s needs. He expressed his intentions to
provide school choice for every Tennessee family through his Education Freedom
Scholarship Act proposal. Lee also noted that $1.8 billion in new state
dollars have been invested in public education during the last five years.
Last year, the General Assembly approved the largest pay increase for teachers in
state history and committed to making Tennessee one of the top 10 states for
highest teacher salaries by 2026. Governor Lee said
in his address, “We have placed an unprecedented focus on public
education, and I intend to continue that every year. We can give
parents choice and support public schools at the same time. You’ll hear me say
that over and over again – these two ideas are not in conflict.” Other
initiatives include a $410 million franchise tax cut to support Tennessee’s
economy, expanding rural health care access and the creation of four new state
parks. Lee credited the General Assembly’s unwavering commitment to fiscal
responsibility as the reason for the state’s firm financial foundation.
Following several years of extraordinary revenue growth, revenues are
stabilizing. Good fiscal governance has well-positioned Tennessee to continue
its record of fiscal responsibility with a balanced budget, healthy savings,
and tax cuts.
“Tennessee’s fiscal management approach
has set the standard for how states across the country should operate, and
families and businesses nationwide have taken note,” Lee said. He added that Tennessee’s
economy is “very strong” and “built to withstand even the
pressure of our country’s uncertain economic future.” He also touted
the state’s AAA bond rating, which it has held for nine consecutive years. “Over
the past five years, Tennessee has been ranked as the fastest-growing economy
of all 50 states, the number one state for fiscal stability, a top state for
businesses, the second lowest-taxed state per capita and the lowest debt state
in America,” Lee said. “Any state would envy the position that
we’ve been in. The members of the Tennessee General Assembly – all of you here
tonight as well as your predecessors – are the ones to thank because of your
unwavering commitment to keeping our state in a strong financial position, by
balancing our budget, maintaining a healthy savings account and cuttings taxes
for Tennesseans year after year.” Governor Lee concluded, "The
foundations that were laid by the generations before us, the “city on a hill”
that we call Tennessee, the gates that welcome those who want opportunity and
security and freedom. the walls that protect fiscal stewardship and public
safety and our environment. We recognize the great challenges that lie before
us, whether it be rural healthcare or workforce protections. We have
opportunity and obligation, and it will take each one of us, as we debate and
agree and disagree, about the path forward to accomplish that which we all
believe in – serving our fellow Tennesseans, recognizing the dignity of each
one of them, each person’s God-given value, and working to make a better life
and future for them all. We each have our spot on the wall – an important spot,
no one greater than the other, each one greatly necessary. And just like in
Nehemiah’s day, there will be those who criticize – those who will see
Tennessee’s success and try to stop it. And they’ll do that by trying to divide
us. We shouldn’t let that happen. Let’s stand together – remember our shared
purpose. Only when we work together – side by side – will we build upon, protect and create that which is one of the greatest places
in all the world, and ensure that it remains for those who live here, for those
who want to live here, and their children and their children’s children. May
the Lord pour His spirit and favor out on each one of you, and may the Lord
bless the people and the place that is the great state of Tennessee."
Members of the General Assembly will review Lee’s proposed budget in
the coming weeks and make their own recommendations. To view the entire speech,
visit https://www.tn.gov/governor/sots/2024-state-of-the-state-address.html
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House Unanimously Passes Bill Changing
Fire Alarm Protocols
(http://securenets1.com/MajorityLeaderWilliamLamberth.jpg) - The House on Thursday voted unanimously
to pass legislation requiring schools to determine the cause of a fire alarm
before allowing children to leave their classrooms. House Bill 1644 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1644 ) is among several safety proposals
reintroduced from the special session in August. The bill was filed by House
Majority leader William Lamberth (R-Portland), in response to the Covenant
School shooting in Nashville on March 27. One of the six victims, William
Kinney, 9, was leading his third-grade classmates to safety as line leader when
he was fatally shot by a former student of the school. Smoke from the shooter’s
weapon triggered the school’s fire alarm, but the victims were unaware there
was an active shooter in the school when they heard the alarm. Kinney was the
first to encounter the shooter in the hallway of the school. “This is one
small step, but a very important one for both the families at Covenant, for
(Tennessee), and I was glad to see it get unanimous support,” Lamberth
said on Thursday. “This is one of a number of bills we pass this year
that will make Tennessee safer tomorrow than it is today.” The bill is
expected to be considered in the Senate chamber in the coming weeks.
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Legislation to remove political flags
from classrooms advances
(http://securenets1.com/StateRepGinoBulso.jpg) - A Republican bill to ensure students
in Tennessee are not indoctrinated by political flags in the classroom
advanced out of the K-12 Subcommittee this week.
House Bill 1605 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1605 ), sponsored by State Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) would prohibit certain flags from
being displayed in public schools. “What this (legislation) does is make
it crystal clear that both flags, and images of flags that are used in a way to
try to teach students a particular set of values that may or may not correspond
to the values that they’re learning at home, are not going to be allowed,”
Bulso said. The bill, as amended, would allow for
multiple flags with local, state, national, world and historical significance
to be displayed at schools. In addition to the Tennessee and United States
flags, other flags that would be allowed include military flags, government
flags, foreign country flags and flags used temporarily for course curriculums.
House Bill 1605 would also allow parents to take civil action against a
school if it refuses to act within 10 days of receiving a written notice
regarding a potential violation of the law. The bill is scheduled to be heard
in the Education Administration Committee on Feb. 14, 2024.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE (WEEK 5) – FEBRUARY 16, 2024
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Firearm Safety Education for Public
School Advances
The House Education Instruction Subcommittee this week advanced
Republican legislation to expand firearm safety education in Tennessee
public schools. House Bill 2882 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2882 ) (https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HB2882.pdf ), sponsored by State Rep. Chris Todd
(R-Madison County) (http://securenets1.com/StateRepChrisTodd.jpg), would provide students with age and
grade appropriate instruction on firearm safety as part of the existing safety
training currently offered in public schools. The curriculum would include
safe storage information, how to identify a firearm, the safety risks
associated with them and to notify an adult if one is found. “It is
important for our young people to be aware of the proper precautions that
should be taken if they encounter a firearm,” Todd said. “This
legislation would ensure students in Tennessee receive this valuable safety
information during their school years as determined by leaders in education.
The bill also includes guidelines to make sure the curriculum remains strictly
informative and not political in any nature. This is an additional way we can
help prevent injuries and increase safety across Tennessee.” The
Department of Education and Department of Safety, in consultation with the
Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, would determine the earliest
appropriate grade for students to begin receiving education related to firearm
safety. The instruction would continue through the 12th grade. The legislation
would prohibit the use live firearms and ammunition as
part of the curriculum. Instruction would also be required to remain neutral on
political and gun-related issues. House Bill 2882 is scheduled to be
heard in the Education Instruction Committee on Feb. 20, 2024.
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House Advances Debbie and Marie Domestic
Violence Protection Act
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week advanced legislation
that would significantly increase protections for victims of aggravated
domestic assault in Tennessee. House Bill 2692 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2692 ) also known as The Debbie and Marie
Domestic Violence Protection Act, would require aggravated assault suspects
in certain domestic violence cases to wear a global position monitoring system
(GPS) if they were released on bond.
“For many years, Tennessee has struggled
with being in the top percentile for domestic violence, and more specially,
domestic violence deaths,” said bill sponsor State Rep. Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski) (http://securenets1.com/StateRepClayDoggett.jpg ). “In my time here in the
legislature, I’ve tried to find legislation that would help provide additional
protections and remedies to victims, especially those of aggravated domestic
assault…. This is just another tool that we can use for victims and law
enforcement to be able to make sure there is an avenue of safety for (them).”
A GPS service provider must be able to notify a victim’s cell phone if their
alleged attacker is within a certain proximity of their location. The company
would also be required to notify local law enforcement when a violation of a defendant’s
bond conditions occurred.
The legislation is named in honor of Deborah Sisco, 60 and Marie Varsos, 31 (http://securenets1.com/DebbieSisco-MarieVarsos.jpg). Both women were killed in 2021 by Varsos’ estranged husband Shaun who was out on bond for
strangling his wife and threatening to shoot her a month earlier. There were
61,637 victims of domestic violence statewide in 2022, according to the most
recent data from Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (https://crimeinsight.tbi.tn.gov/tops/report/domestic-violence/tennessee/2022 ). House Bill 2692 is scheduled
to be heard in the Criminal Justice Committee on Feb. 20, 2024.
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State Legislators Present Flags to Wilson
Co. EMS
(http://securenets1.com/WilsonCoEMS-02162024.jpg).
Pictured: State Legislators Rep. Susan Lynn, Rep. Clark Boyd, and Sen.
Mark Pody
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Region 3 Pothole Repairs Update
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews
are working around the clock repairing potholes along interstates and state
routes caused by last month’s record winter storm which dumped more snow in 24
hours than we normally see in an entire winter. The statewide effort is using
all available resources, including contract crews, to repair the damaged areas
as quickly as possible. TDOT has patched 50% more in January 2024 than in
January 2022 & 2023. By the Numbers January 22 – February 11: Region 3 –
2,015,500 pounds of hot mix & cold patch. Statewide – 5,426,562 pounds of
hot mix & cold patch. As weather permits, TDOT will continue repairing
the roads over the coming days and weeks. More permanent repairs will be made
in spring and early summer when asphalt plants are regularly producing hot mix.
Full-scale paving may be necessary in some locations. Deputy Governor and TDOT
Commissioner Butch Eley joined one of the multiple crews patching Potholes in
Nashville. You can watch the video here. Media can find new b-roll of pothole
patching here and are welcome to use it with a TDOT courtesy. Drivers should be
prepared for short-term traffic delays during these pothole repair operations.
While every effort will be made to perform repairs during off-peak travel times
(9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. weekdays), some lane closures may extend into the late
afternoon, evening, and weekends. We ask drivers to be patient and to watch out
for TDOT crews on interstates and state highways. Work with Us – move over,
slow down. From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest road conditions
and live-streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at http://TNSmartWay.com/Traffic . Travelers can also dial 511 for travel
information or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/myTDOT for statewide travel. You can watch the video
@
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIUOH_CN4Uo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XWdf2sU_gc Drivers
can report potholes by calling the TDOTFIX Hotline at 833-TDOTFIX or by
submitting an online maintenance request form.
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Tennessee’s new Jobs4TN website
(http://securenets1.com/Jobs4TN.jpg).
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE (WEEK 6) – FEBRUARY 23, 2024
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House Approves "Duty to Warn
Act" to enhance Public Safety
The Tennessee House of Representatives this week approved Republican
legislation to increase protections for those targeted by threats of
violence. House Bill 1625 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1625 ), also known as the Duty To Warn Act,
requires mental health professionals and behavior analysts in Tennessee to inform
local law enforcement if a patient makes an imminent threat to harm a specific
individual or clearly identified group. Threats that are more general in
nature must be reported to either the 988 Lifeline or a local crisis response
service. “This will strengthen duty to warn, provide some clarity and
ensure that mental health practitioners do not have to call law enforcement
when a patient makes a threat to them,” said bill sponsor State Rep.
Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville). (http://securenets1.com/StateRepJasonZachary.jpg).
The legislation includes protections from civil, criminal
and disciplinary penalties for mental health professionals and behavior
analysts who make reasonable attempts to comply with the law. The companion
version of House Bill 1625 is still advancing through the Senate.
----------------------------------------
Legislation would Expand Newborn Safe
Haven Program
A proposal to expand the availability of Safe haven Baby Boxes for
newborns in Tennessee (http://securenets1.com/BabyBoxes.jpg)
advanced this week in the House. House Bill 2067 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2067 ), introduced by
State Rep. Ed Butler (R-Rickman) (http://securenets1.com/StateRepEd
Butler.jpg), would require the Department of Children’s Services to issue
grants to counties for the installation of newborn safety devices while House
Bill 1922 ((https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1922&ga=112)
would add assisted living facilities, nursing homes and emergency
communications centers to the list of approved locations for the devices. The
legislation will expand “the opportunity for a woman to safely give up
her baby, whether it’s at a Safe Haven Baby Box or whether it’s at a safe haven
location,” Butler said, adding the intent is to “save babies’
lives.” Since 2001, Tennessee’s Safe Haven law has allowed mothers in
certain cases to surrender their newborn without fear of being prosecuted. The
child must be no more than 14 days old, unharmed and
left voluntarily. The General Assembly previously approved legislation in 2022
that expands the state’s safe haven law by allowing for the installation of
Safe Haven Baby Boxes at police and fire stations in Tennessee. House Bill 2067
is scheduled to be heard in the Civil Justice Committee on Feb. 28 while House
Bill 1922 is scheduled to be heard in the Health Committee on the same day.
----------------------------------------
Bill Increasing Support for Child Sex
Trafficking Advances
Legislation that would significantly increase the time victims of
child commercial sex trafficking could file a civil lawsuit against their
attacker advanced this week in the House. House Bill 1906 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1906&GA=112),
introduced by
State
Rep. Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin) (http://securenets1.com/StateRepJakeMcCalmon.jpg),
would allow victims to sue up to 30 years after they turned 18 for any injuries
or illnesses that occurred as a result of the sexual abuse. The law currently
allows victims to pursue civil action against an alleged perpetrator
up to 15 years after they turn 18. "These horrific events often
traumatize victims for the rest of their lives," McCalmon said. "Victims
deserve accountability and the opportunity for justice. Tennessee Republicans
are committed to ensuring those who viciously prey on the most vulnerable
members of society are held responsible for their actions and severely
punished." House Bill 1906 is scheduled to be heard in the House
Civil Justice Committee on Feb. 28.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE (WEEK 7) – FEBRUARY 29, 2024
----------------------------------------
House Advances School Choice, Bolsters Public Education
(http://securenets1.com/SchoolChoice.jpg)
The plan gives families the power to use their tax dollars to choose
the best school that meets the needs of their child. House Republicans
this week unveiled a sweeping proposal to improve education in Tennessee by
expanding school choice opportunities for families and strengthening existing
public schools statewide. House Bill 1183 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1183&ga=112),
as amended, represents the culmination of months of diligent work by the chairs
of the House education committees to ensure the needs of every student are met.
The legislation advanced out of the K-12 Subcommittee on Tuesday after more
than two hours of discussion.
“We have been
listening to our teachers, our superintendents and our students all across the
state,”
said State
Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, who is guiding passage of the bill. “This
legislation before us is an opportunity to rethink education in our state.”
The proposal would establish the Education Freedom Scholarships Act (EFSA),
giving parents the power to use their tax dollars to choose the best school
that meets the needs of their child. A total of 20,000 scholarships would be
available to families for the 2024-25 school year. Priority would be given to
students who are currently eligible for an Education Savings Account followed
by those from households at or below 400 percent and 500 percent of the federal
poverty level respectively. Recipients must be U.S. citizens and not enrolled
in a homeschool program. Growth of the EFSA program would be limited to 20
percent of the number of scholarships awarded during the previous year. The
Department of Education would also be required to submit an annual report on
the utilization of the scholarships. “We’ve put caps on the growth of
this to make sure that if it grows, it grows sensibly (and) it grows in a way
that the General Assembly can afford as it moves forward,” said
State Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka. “It is
driven by usage.” Additional funding, more flexibility for public
schools. Tennessee public schools will also benefit from House Bill 1183
through additional funding, reductions in testing and evaluations along with
increased flexibility in various other areas. “The bulk of this bill is
what we’re trying to do for our public schools, because 90 percent of our
children go to public schools,” White said. “We are trying to
build up what our public schools are doing.” The General Assembly in
2022 approved the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act,
which overhauled the way the state funds education to prioritize the individual
needs of students. The proposed base funding for each public
school student in Tennessee for the 2024-25 school year is $7,075.
With House Bill 1183, the weighted allocation per student in small districts
would increase by 3 percent while the amount for each student in sparse
districts would increase by 1 percent. There would also be $75 in additional
funding per student to address local school infrastructure needs. Additionally,
the state would increase its health care plan contribution for districts from
45 percent to 60 percent. This would amount to an estimated $160 million in
additional funding during the first year for districts to use at their
discretion. The legislation would also reduce the number of K-12 standardized
tests annually and align them more to federal requirements, adding
approximately 300 hours of instructional time back into the classroom. “Time
is the most valuable asset for our teachers,” Cepicky
said. “If we can put more time into the classroom and still be able to
gather the data we need to make sure our students are
progressing, we all win.” Higher-performing teachers would be evaluated
less frequently and license recertifications would occur every eight years
instead of every five years under the proposal. Districts would also have
increased flexibility regarding promoting students in grades 4 through 8. Other
highlights of the legislation include: Protecting
public school scores from being affected by late-transferring students.
Flexibility for districts to choose either a traditional 180-day school year or
equivalent hours-based schedule. Increasing district improvement plan submissions to every three years. Preventing athletic
recruiting by aligning with current TSSAA policies regarding transfer
eligibility. Dissolving the Achievement School District in 2026. House Bill
1183 is scheduled to be heard in the Education Administration Committee on
March 6, 2024.
----------------------------------------
House Approves Bill to Increase Private School Safety. The House of
Representatives on Monday passed legislation aimed at increasing safety at more
private schools in Tennessee. House Bill 1631 (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1631),
sponsored by
State Rep. Gino Bulso
(R-Brentwood), (http://securenets1.com/StateRepGinoBulso.jpg)
allows a private school with students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to
adopt a handgun carry policy for its campus. “All of our children in
public school or private school deserve to be protected,” Bulso said Monday. “The most dangerous place to be in
Tennessee, or any other state in this country, is in a gun free zone, and… if
private schools want to have an armed response at the school to protect
children, they should have that ability.” Existing state law only
allows K-12 private schools to establish a handgun carry policy. The companion
version of House Bill 1631 is still advancing through the Senate.
----------------------------------------
Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking Program Launches
Members of
the Tennessee General Assembly this week joined
Secretary of State
Tre Hargett (http://securenets1.com/SecretaryOfStateTreHargett.jpg)
and community advocates for the launch of a new initiative to combat human
trafficking statewide. Created through the passage of legislation in 2023,
Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking engages corporations and private
entities in voluntary efforts to identify, prevent and combat human trafficking
in communities across the state. Participants will be able to identify the
warning signs of trafficking and assist in the reporting of suspected criminal
activity to the authorities. “Through Tennessee Businesses Against
Trafficking, businesses will be effective partners in the ongoing fight against
trafficking crimes,” said
State Rep. Debra
Moody (R-Covington) (http://securenets1.com/StateRepDebraMoody.jpg).
“While we have made considerable progress in Tennessee, we must all
continue to do our part and stand with victims, survivors and their families.”
Participating businesses will adopt a zero-tolerance policy and participate in
training, public awareness and education campaigns.
They will also encourage employees to participate and share best practices that
effectively combat human trafficking with the Secretary of State’s office.
Human trafficking is the second-fastest growing criminal industry in the United
States, only behind drug trafficking, according to the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation. There have been cases of human trafficking crimes reported in
all 95 Tennessee counties. Additional information about Tennessee Businesses
Against Trafficking, including how to join the program, can be found online at http://tbat.tnsos.gov .
----------------------------------------
Wilson Rides is hosting Volunteer Driver Training every month in both
Lebanon and Mt. Juliet.
(http://securenets1.com/WilsonRides.jpg)
Registration
is required. Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce @ 11:30 - 1:00pm every
2nd Monday. March 11th is the next one. Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce @ 3:30 -
5:00pm every 2nd Wednesday. March 13th is the next one. Wilson Rides is also
hosting "Curiosity & Coffee" on the 1st Friday of every month
from 9:00am - 10:00am. We are alternating between Lebanon and Mount Juliet.
This is designed for those interested in learning more about Wilson Rides,
joining or volunteering. Current volunteers are also welcome to attend to ask
questions and share stories and experiences. Registration NOT required. Pop's
Coffee Shop (Lebanon) on the 1st Friday in March, May, July, September
& November. Just Love Coffee Cafe (Mt.
Juliet) on the 1st Friday in April, June, August, October & December.
----------------------------------------
36th Annual Rotary Club of Lebanon Foundation Golf Tournament
presented by Wilson Bank & Trust is being held on May 6th at Tennessee
Grasslands Golf and Country Club Foxland Course.
(http://securenets1.com/RotaryClubGolfTournament2024.jpg)
Individual
Player Fee $175, Team Registration $700. Sponsorships are available at all
levels. Visit http://vdgm.in/rotarygolf2024
to register and learn more or email gayelynn@wilsonridesinc.org. Tournament
benefits Lebanon Noon Rotary and Wilson Rides Inc.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – FEBRUARY 17, 2023
----------------------------------------
Republicans advance ban on taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries.
The House
Insurance Subcommittee this week advanced Republican legislation to protect
taxpayer money from being used for transgender surgeries in Tennessee. House
Bill 1215 would prohibit a managed care organization (MCO) contracted with TennCare from covering any medical procedures performed for
the purpose of changing a person’s sex. “(This bill) does not deny access to
the transgender community or any community to health care,” said bill
co-sponsor State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro. “This bill does not discriminate and it also does not outlaw the
surgery. This simply states that Tennessee tax dollars are not to be
used for it.” If approved, any MCO that is in violation of the bill and
contracted with TennCare would have 90 days to come
into compliance. House Bill 1215 is scheduled to be heard in the Insurance
Committee on Feb. 21.
----------------------------------------
General Assembly passes bill requiring GPS for ignition interlock devices
Both
chambers of the General Assembly this week unanimously passed legislation
designed to keep those convicted of drunk driving (DUI) from becoming repeat
offenders by getting behind the wheel under the influence. House Bill 77,
sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, will require
all ignition interlock devices installed on vehicles after Jan. 1, 2024, to be
equipped with Global Positioning Satellite technology to geotag a vehicle’s
location whenever an ignition interlock device is used to start a vehicle.
These devices are installed on vehicles of drivers convicted of a DUI and require drivers to pass a breathalyzer test to
ensure they are not under the influence of alcohol before they can operate
their vehicle. When the driver blows into the breathalyzer, a photo is taken to
confirm the driver is the one blowing. Current law does not allow law
enforcement to prosecute a driver when photo evidence confirms when someone
other than the driver blows into the breathalyzer. Without a geotag at the time
the ignition interlock device is used, it is unclear
which jurisdiction the driver should be prosecuted.
----------------------------------------
Republicans address truck driver shortage, help veterans.
The House
Transportation Committee this week advanced Republican legislation to help
address the truck driver shortage by making it easier for qualified veterans to
receive a commercial learner’s permit. House Bill 88 would require the
Department of Safety to waive the knowledge test to obtain the permit if an
applicant provides documentation showing that they possess certain relevant
military experience and a clean driving record. “The American Trucking
Association estimates that we currently have an over 80,000 truck driver
shortage in the United States,” said bill sponsor Speaker Pro Tempore Pat
Marsh, R-Shelbyville. “That could grow to 160,000 by 2028. We have a real
problem. This is a pro-veteran bill that would allow current military personnel
or veterans within one year of honorable discharge to help acquire a commercial
driver’s license.” According to the legislation, any applicant who received a
knowledge test waiver would still be required to complete any applicable vision
and skills test and pay the appropriate fees. House Bill 88 is scheduled to be
heard in the Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on
Feb. 22.
----------------------------------------
Anti-stalking legislation advances in the House.
Legislation
that further strengthens Tennessee’s anti-stalking laws and protects citizens
from unknowingly being tracked advanced this week to the House Criminal Justice
Committee. House Bill 1008, sponsored by State Rep. Rusty Grills, R-Newbern,
expands the meaning of stalking methods to include use of an electronic
tracking or Global Positioning System (GPS) device to secretly monitor the
location of an individual and/or their property without their consent. State
law currently requires at least two separate noncontinuous acts to occur before
someone could be charged with the offense. Law
enforcement agencies across the nation have warned citizens about the growing
problem of stalking with electronic tracking devices being secretly used by
criminals to follow vehicles they intend to steal or worse. The bill provides
another way to help protect people, their property and
their privacy, said Grills. Approximately 1,850 cases of stalking were reported
in Tennessee during 2021, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s
most recent annual report. A person guilty of this crime should it become law
would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. The offense is enhanced to a Class
E misdemeanor if the defendant is a registered or violent sex offender. House
Bill 1008 would not prevent law enforcement from using an electronic tracking
device during an ongoing criminal investigation.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – FEBRUARY 24, 2023
----------------------------------------
General Assembly bans gender mutilation of children.
Legislation
that prohibits minors from undergoing irreversible and harmful medical
procedures for the purpose of changing their gender identity now heads to the
governor’s desk for his signature following a 77-16 vote in the House chamber
on Thursday. Tennessee now provides the nation’s strongest protections against
the removal of a child’s healthy body parts. House Bill 1, sponsored by House
Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, bans medical interference that
alters a child’s hormonal balance and procedures that remove body parts to
enable the minor to identify as a gender different from their biological sex.
The Senate version passed on Feb. 13. “These treatments and procedures have a
lifetime of negative consequences that are irreversible,” said Lamberth on the
House floor. “When you start cutting off body parts of a child and you’re
telling them something is wrong with their body when they already think that, it is dangerous and destructive….What those children
need is love and support, mental health treatment, and time.” Any health care
provider who violates the law can be sued in civil court by the minor injured,
the parent of the minor injured or the Attorney General within 30 years of the
violation. Providers found to be in violation could face up to a $25,000
penalty per violation and have their medical license restricted. The
legislation ensures that doctors can still prescribe hormone treatment to
minors for medically necessary purposes and makes exceptions for children born
with chromosomal anomalies or congenital defects. House Bill 1 now heads to the governor’s desk
to be signed into law. It becomes effective July 1.
----------------------------------------
General Assembly protects
children from adult entertainment.
The House
chamber on Thursday passed legislation that protects children from being
exposed to sexually explicit performances. House Bill 9, sponsored by State
Rep. Chris Todd, R-Jackson, restricts adult-oriented cabaret performances from
being performed on public property if children could be present. The bill
requires private establishments such as bars or restaurants that host sexually
explicit shows to require patrons to show identification to ensure they are at
least 18. The bill provides common-sense protection and clarity regarding what
performances are not appropriate for children. Todd told members on the House
floor he sought to clarify the law following community outrage in his district
over a drag show planned on public property. The show was promoted as a
“family-friendly” event. “This is a common sense, child safety bill,” Todd
said. “It protects children first and foremost. This will make it much easier
for the public to determine what exactly is appropriate for children and what
is not.” A violation of this bill would result in a Class A misdemeanor, and a
second or subsequent offense would result in a Class E felony. The bill returns to the Senate chamber for a procedural vote before
heading to the governor’s desk for his signature. Another proposal making its
way through House committees would require a person to obtain a valid
entertainer permit from the adult-oriented establishment board in jurisdictions
with a board, prior to performing an adult cabaret entertainment show. House
Bill 30, sponsored by State Rep. Clay
Doggett, R-Pulaski, prohibits public, private and
commercial establishments from allowing anyone under the age of 18 to attend
such a performance. House Bill 30 is scheduled to be heard in the House
Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on Feb. 28.
----------------------------------------
Constitutional carry expansion advances.
Republican
legislation to expand protections for Tennesseans’ Second Amendment rights
advanced out of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee this week. House Bill
1005, as amended, would expand constitutional carry in Tennessee by allowing
law-abiding adults to carry a firearm where they are legally allowed to. The
legislation would also lower the minimum age required for a person to obtain an
enhanced, lifetime enhanced or concealed handgun carry permit from 21 to 18
years of age. “You have a civil right to keep and bear arms, and it’s not just
pistols,” said bill co-sponsor State Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County. “That
is what this bill is about.” If approved, the bill would also rename concealed
handgun carry permits and enhanced handgun carry permits to concealed firearm
carry permits and enhanced firearm carry permits. Permit holders and
law-abiding adults would be allowed to carry any firearm they legally own in
any place or manner currently authorized for handguns. Existing state law
prohibiting certain individuals, like those convicted of stalking, from
possessing a firearm would remain unchanged. Additionally, the legislation
would clarify that a person or entity who prohibits the possession of firearms
on their property is not immune from civil liability. House Bill 1005 is
scheduled to be heard in the House Civil Justice Committee on March 1.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – MARCH 3, 2023
----------------------------------------
Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter Announce The
Webstaurant Store, LLC to Establish Distribution Operations in Wilson County.
Leading online restaurant supply store to invest nearly $104 million
in Tennessee facility in Lebanon to gain 225 new jobs through project.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community
Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter and The Webstaurant Store, LLC
officials announced the company will invest $103.9 million to locate new
distribution operations in Lebanon’s Speedway Industrial Park. Through the
expansion to Tennessee, Webstaurant will create 225 new jobs in Wilson County.
Webstaurant’s Lebanon facility will be the company’s newest plant and largest
investment in automation and infrastructure to date. Once operational, it will
utilize automated packing machines and work alongside the company’s current
distribution operations in Georgia and Kentucky to target increased demand for
restaurant, industrial and other office supplies and equipment in the Midwestern
U.S. Hiring is expected to begin later this year and will continue into 2024.
Those interested can apply here. Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and founded
in 2004, The Webstaurant Store, LLC is one of the largest online restaurant
supply companies. Webstaurant specializes in distributing commercial equipment
and wholesale supplies around the globe from its operations in Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania and soon, Tennessee. Since 2019, TNECD
has supported 15 economic development projects in Wilson County, resulting in
nearly 5,600 job commitments and $1.1 billion in capital investment.
----------------------------------------
4 new state parks included in Gov. Lee’s proposed budget.
Gov. Bill
Lee has included funding to creating four new state
parks as part of his proposed $55.6 billion budget for the upcoming 2023-24
fiscal year. “Our state parks are a jewel, and they’ll only be around for the
future if we invest in them today,” Lee said during his annual State of the
State address last month. “Through the years, Tennessee has maintained
responsible stewardship of our natural resources, but it’s time to develop a
conservation strategy that balances our state’s economic growth with a plan to
protect our environment.” The proposed new state parks include:
Devil’s Backbone State Park (Lewis County): The 950-acre natural area, along
with an additional 570-acres of state land, offers
visitors the opportunity for a quiet hike adjacent to the Natchez Trace
Parkway. The potential to add camping for cyclists and motorists along the
parkway may also be considered in future development planning.
Middle Fork
Bottoms State Park (Madison County): The approximately 1,200 acres would serve
as a conservation showcase featuring 250,000 recently planted hardwood trees,
20 acres of warm season prairie, more than 200 acres of restored shallow water
wetlands and 2 miles of restored stream. If approved, $22.5 million would be
used for the construction of a visitors’ center, maintenance facility,
boardwalk, boat ramps, trail bridge(s), utility infrastructure and amenities.
North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park (Hamilton/Sequatchie counties): The
7,093-acre natural area features more than 18 miles of hiking trails, an
outstanding 10-mile gorge, a high diversity of plant and animal habitat along
with a popular kayaking stream. The terrain and already high visitation require
additional infrastructure and Tennessee State Parks personnel to support the
intense demand for the area. Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park (White County):
The park would link three significant state natural areas around Virgin Falls
to allow for greater access to recreation on state-owned land while also
improving visitor safety and resource protection. If approved, $27.8 million
would be used to build a new visitors’ center, maintenance shop, restrooms,
roadways, utilities and parking infrastructure. As part of the selection process for the
proposed new state parks, locations already in TDEC holdings were evaluated
based on their suitability to better meet the outdoor recreational needs of
Tennesseans and visitors. Considerations included their proximity to
populations and travel routes; uniqueness of experience; natural, cultural and scenic value; and resource stewardship.
Tennessee has 57 unique state parks that provide a variety of activities for
outdoor adventurers of all interests and pursuits. Every Tennessean lives
within an hour of at least one state park. Additional information about what
each park offers can be found online at www.tnstateparks.com.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – MARCH 10, 2023
----------------------------------------
Small Government Efficiency Act Becomes Law.
Gov. Bill
Lee on Thursday signed legislation that ensures effective local representation
and the utmost efficiency for taxpayers. House Bill 48, also known as the Small
Government Efficiency Act, reins in excessive government growth by lowering the
maximum size of metropolitan and municipal legislative bodies in Tennessee to
no more than 20 voting members. It passed on Monday in the House chamber and on
Thursday morning in the Senate. The City of Nashville, which would fall under
the scope of House Bill 48, has a population of 690,000 and is the 21st largest
city in the United States. Nashville’s 40-member council is currently the
nation’s third largest, just behind New York City which has a 51-member council
and a population of 8.8 million, and Chicago, which has a 50-member council and
a population of 2.7 million. “This isn’t just about Nashville,” bill sponsor
House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, told members on the House
floor on Monday. “This is about every single city in the state not (making) the
mistake that Nashville made 50 years ago when it (decided on) 40 members. We
don’t want any city in this state to expand beyond 20.” Local government bodies
exceeding 20 voting members will be required to dissolve and re-appropriate
current districts using the latest federal U.S. Census data to ensure equal
representation based on population by May 1, 2023.
----------------------------------------
Republicans seek to increase school bus safety in Tennessee.
Republicans
this week advanced legislation strengthening punishment for drivers who
illegally pass a school bus that is picking up or dropping off children. House
Bill 818, sponsored by State Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, would make it a
Class E felony if a driver illegally passes a school bus and strikes another
person. It would be a Class C felony if the individual died. “In 2019, the
General Assembly passed legislation attempting to reduce the number of people
illegally passing stopped school busses by allowing
schools to install cameras on the outside of busses,” Whitson told the
committee Tuesday. “Over the last several years, we have learned about some
enforcement challenges due to a lack of clarity within our current statute.
This bill provides that clarity and incorporates lessons learned from other
states to help us better understand and stop these violators.” The legislation
would also increase the fine for not stopping for a school bus from $200 to
$250 for the first offense based solely on video camera footage from the bus.
The minimum fine for a second or subsequent offense would increase from $250 to
$500. In 2022, there were 84 citations issued to drivers who illegally passed a
school bus that was either picking up or dropping off children, according to
data from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. House Bill 818 is
scheduled to be heard in the Finance, Ways and Means
Subcommittee on March 15.
----------------------------------------
Republicans aim to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions.
Republicans
this week advanced legislation that would prevent any city, county
or metropolitan government from using taxpayer dollars to directly or
indirectly assist with obtaining an abortion or abortion-related services.
House Bill 90, sponsored by State Rep. Debra Moody, R-Covington, prohibits
taxpayer funds from being used as part of a health benefit plan or for travel
to a state where abortion is legal. On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court
overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal standard protecting the right
to abortion and returning the regulation of abortion to the states. House Bill
90 ensures no municipality, county or metropolitan government in Tennessee
reallocates tax dollars, cuts critical services or staff positions to pay for
abortions or abortion-related services. Government bodies should not be in the
abortion business. Using taxpayer dollars to transport a pregnant woman across
state lines for an abortion is an inappropriate use of funds, Moody said. The
Tennessee Constitution gives the State of Tennessee authority over local
government bodies and allows the state to preempt a local government as long as
it does not violate a right guaranteed by the State Constitution. House Bill 90
is expected to be considered in the House Local Government Committee on March
14.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – MARCH 17, 2023
----------------------------------------
House protects Tennessee workers’ right to
private votes.
House
Republicans on Thursday passed legislation ensuring Tennessee workers’ rights
are protected by secret ballot in union-organizing elections. House Bill 1342,
sponsored by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and State Rep. Kevin
Vaughan, R-Collierville, prohibits an employer who accepts economic development
incentives from Tennessee from disclosing an employee or subcontractor’s
personal contact information to a labor organization without consent.
Tennesseans voted in 2022 to codify the right-to-work in the state
constitution. This measure protects Tennessee workers from being fired for not
joining or paying a union. Even with these protections in place, Tennessee
workers can still face intimidation when it comes to unionizing. Through a
process known as card check, union officials pressure workers privately and
publicly until they collect enough signatures directly from the workers until
they have enough signatures to begin bargaining collectively. “If we are going
to invest in a company, we want to make sure that the workers have rights to
free, fair and private elections,” said Vaughan. “This is a way we can take
care of our economic incentives and investments and protect our investments as
a state moving forward.” House Bill 1342 ensures taxpayer dollars are not used
to support coercive union tactics like card check. The legislation protects
workers’ right to a private ballot in union elections and respects their right
to privacy at home when companies take taxpayer-funded economic incentives. The
companion bill is currently advancing through the Senate.
----------------------------------------
Committee advances bill to enhance third-grade literacy.
Legislation
aimed at further improving third-grade literacy in Tennessee advanced out of
the House K-12 Subcommittee this week. House Bill 437, as amended, includes
several enhancements to bipartisan legislation passed in 2021 to address
learning loss related to COVID-19 and provide students with additional academic
support before being promoted to the fourth grade if they are approaching
reading on-level. “There has been a lot of discussion about education in
Tennessee over the last few years, especially about the reading issues that our
children are facing,” said bill co-sponsor State Rep. Scott Cepicky,
R-Culleoka. “The thing that we have to be very
careful of is continuing on this pathway of moving kids forward that aren’t
ready. We’re not really doing them a service. We’re actually doing them an
injustice.” If approved, the bill would expand fourth-grade eligibility by
allowing students who score in the “approaching” category on the Tennessee
Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test to still be promoted to the next
grade level if they also scored in the 50th percentile or higher on their most
recent benchmark assessment provided by the state and given as a test. Parents
would also be able to receive additional assistance from school administrators
when filing a waiver to appeal their child’s retention. The legislation also
requires a tutor to be assigned for one year to all students in kindergarten
through third grade who are retained beginning with the 2023-24 school year.
State Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, who is the primary sponsor of House Bill 437,
told members of the committee on Tuesday that Tennessee must also continue to
focus on early childhood literacy beginning in pre-kindergarten. “We’re not
through with this,” White said. “We are going to keep working, but I think we
have addressed some of the major concerns that (exist with the current law). We
can’t take our foot off the accelerator. We know it’s difficult… but we can get
this right and we have a good opportunity to do so.” House Bill 437 is
scheduled to be heard in the Education Administration Committee on March 22.
----------------------------------------
Do-Not-Text law lets Tennesseans block unwanted messages.
The House
chamber on Thursday unanimously passed legislation to allow Tennessee consumers
to block unwanted text messages. The Senate companion version passed
unanimously on March 6. House Bill 805, sponsored by House Majority Leader
William Lamberth, R-Portland, merges text message solicitations to the state’s
Do Not Call Registry. It extends the same prohibitions, requirements, and
penalties that apply to telephone solicitations to unwanted text messages. The
Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC) would continue to oversee the
registry, which includes landlines and cell phone numbers of Tennessee
telephone subscribers who have elected not to receive solicitations. Businesses
may not be included on the list. “I think we’re all sick of getting unsolicited
texts messages from individuals we don’t know and I
know my constituents are as well,” Lamberth told members on the House floor.
“If you want to be left alone you can be added to this and just be left alone.”
House Bill 805 prescribes a maximum penalty of $2,000 dollars for each
violation of a text solicitation to a person on the registry. There are some
exemptions to the law which include invitations to be called by the person
being called and solicitations on behalf of a not-for-profit organization. The
Tennessee Do-Not-Call law only authorizes the regulation of telemarketing for
commercial purposes; political telemarketing is not covered by this law.
Because free speech is guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Supreme
Court has allowed for the regulation of commercial speech but has provided
political speech with much greater protection from government regulation. House
Bill 805 now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. For information
and to be added to the Do-Not-Call Registry, visit https://www.tn.gov/tpuc/tennessee-do-not-call-program/csd-online-do-not-call-registration-form.html
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – MARCH 24, 2023
----------------------------------------
Pro-life bill strengthens protections for mothers in emergencies.
The House
chamber on Monday passed legislation ensuring the life of a mother will be
protected when a nonviable pregnancy endangers her life. House Bill 883,
sponsored by State Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, R-East Ridge, clarifies that
terminating a nonviable pregnancy, such as in the case of an ectopic or molar
pregnancy, is not an abortion. The measure passed 83-11. Republicans in the
General Assembly in 2019 laid the groundwork to ensure life is protected at
conception in Tennessee should the U.S. Supreme Court ever reverse its decision
on legalized abortion. The General Assembly that year passed the Human Life
Protection Act, a conditional trigger law written to go into effect 30 days
following the high court’s decision giving states the authority to regulate
abortion. When the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2022
declared that abortion is not a constitutional right, the Human Life Protection
Act became law and automatically made abortion for any reason a Class C felony
crime in Tennessee. House Bill 883 ensures elective abortions remain illegal in
Tennessee, but removes the affirmative defense clause
that could have required doctors to provide evidence defending their actions in
court when saving the life of a mother. It now provides protection for
physicians by decriminalizing the procedure in such emergencies. "This
bill provides better clarity and returns to the normal judicial system practice
of innocent until proven guilty," Helton-Haynes told members on the House
floor on Monday. "It protects the life of the mother and the life of the
baby." Approximately one in 50 ectopic pregnancies occur each year in the
U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If left
untreated, an ectopic pregnancy will likely result in a life-threatening
hemorrhage. “During pregnancy, a woman takes on the incredible responsibility
to safeguard another human life and it is important her health is protected,”
Helton-Haynes said. “I’m proud of what this pro-family, pro-life legislation accomplishes and I will continue advocating for the health
of women and children in Tennessee.” Tennessee Right to Life, the state’s
largest pro-life advocacy organization, supported House Bill 883. The companion
version of the bill is currently advancing in the Senate.
----------------------------------------
Republicans propose $407 million in tax cuts for families and
businesses.
Republican
leaders this week advanced the Tennessee Works Tax Reform Act of 2023 that
proposes a number of changes to the state’s tax code and represents an
unprecedented $407 million in tax cuts impacting every Tennessean. House Bill
323, sponsored in the House by Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland,
and Assistant Majority Leader Mark Cochran, R-Englewood, is part of Gov. Bill
Lee’s top legislative initiates for 2023.
The bill aims to lower the tax burden on businesses, boost Tennessee’s
economic competitiveness, promote entrepreneurship and small business
formation, as well as provide targeted relief to families. “This is one of the
largest tax reforms and tax cuts in Tennessee’s history,” Cochran told members
of the House Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday. “It provides tax
relief to Tennessee families, for businesses - particularly for small and
medium-sized businesses - and makes us a stronger economic competitor in
general.” Tennessee Republicans remain committed to keeping taxes low.
Tennessee is the second-lowest taxed state in the nation and collects zero
income tax. The cuts provide significant tax relief to small businesses by
lowering the burden of the franchise and excise tax as well as the business tax
rate. The bill would allow more than 23,000 small businesses in Tennessee to
reduce their excise tax liability to zero by exempting the first $50,000 in
income from the state’s excise tax. It also exempts up to $500,000 of business
property from franchise tax liability. The tax cuts would exempt 140,000
Tennessee businesses from the business tax by raising the threshold for
business tax exemptions from $10,000 to $100,000 of gross receipts. In
addition, it reduces the highest business tax rate from 0.3% to 0.1%. The
proposal will strengthen Tennessee’s economic competitiveness while
prioritizing businesses within our state’s borders. It incentivizes businesses
to hire Tennesseans and headquarter here. It ensures
state tax deductions for research and development (R&D) expenses that help
companies grow, innovate and produce superior products
and services. Finally, the proposal will deliver for
working families by creating a three-month sales tax holiday food from Aug.
1-Oct. 31, 2023. It also seeks to incentivize businesses to provide paid family
leave to employees by establishing a state-paid family leave franchise and
excise tax credit on wages paid for a two-year pilot period. House Bill 323 is
up for consideration in the Finance, Ways and Means
Committee on March 28.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – MARCH 31, 2023
----------------------------------------
State Rep. Susan Lynn announces $2.5 million for water infrastructure
projects in Mt. Juliet.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – State Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mt. Juliet, today announced that the city of
Mt. Juliet will receive a $2.5 million grant to improve water infrastructure.
The grant, administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation (TDEC), is among 43 grants totaling $203.2 million from the
state’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) fund. Mt. Juliet will receive $2.5 million
to make needed improvements to the community’s wastewater system. The funds
will be used to replace 9,000 linear feet of sewer lines to improve significant
infiltration and inflow into its sewer system. “As Mt. Juliet continues to
grow, it’s vital to have the necessary infrastructure in place to ensure that
our community continues be successful,” Lynn said.
“These important upgrades will benefit residents and businesses while also
helping to ensure that we are best prepared for the future.” Tennessee received
$3.7 billion from the ARP, and the state’s Financial Stimulus Accountability
Group dedicated $1.35 billion of those funds to TDEC to support water projects
in communities throughout Tennessee. Of the $1.35 billion, approximately $1
billion was designated for non-competitive formula-based grants offered to
counties and eligible cities. The remaining funds will go to state-initiated
projects and competitive grants.
----------------------------------------
Covenant attack puts increased focus on school safety. House postpones
votes in remembrance of victims.
It was a
somber week on Capitol Hill as lawmakers joined Tennesseans and the rest of the
nation in mourning the deaths of six innocent people killed by an active
shooter at the Covenant School, a private Christian academy in
Nashville, on Monday, March 27. Votes on scheduled legislation were postponed
in both the House and Senate chambers Monday evening in recognition of the
victims of the horrific attack. Pastor Brad Hall, president of the Tennessee
Christian Motorcycle Association, led the House in prayer for the victims and
their families before the members adjourned. The victims were identified as
Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs, all age nine, Mike Hill,
age 61, Cynthia Peak, age 61, and Katherine Koonce, age 60. The shooter was a
former student of the private school whom police described as a biological
woman but identified as a transgender male. Flags over the capitol and all
state buildings were flown at half-staff this week in honor of the families,
students, school faculty and church. The House is scheduled on Monday, April 3
to formally honor the Metro Nashville Police Department along with officers Rex
Engelbert and Michael Collazo who exemplified courage in the face of evil. The
officers’ heroic actions stopped the shooter within five minutes of arriving at
the school. The tragedy turned the spotlight on school safety in the Volunteer
State. Since 2018, Republicans provided more than $550 million to make
Tennessee public schools safer. This money has provided school resource officers
(SROs), enhanced school security measures and mental health resources. Funding
for school safety is built into the new student-based funding formula known as
the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) which goes into effect
on July 1. The 2023-24 fiscal year budget proposes an additional $50 million to
address new school safety enhancements. Of that, $20 million is proposed for
School Safety Grants directed to local school districts. The School Safety Act
of 2023, House Bill 322, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth,
R-Portland, and House Education Chairman Mark White, R-Memphis, codifies best
practices already carried out in most Tennessee schools. The bill aims to
ensure a statewide standard of school safety by putting in place collaborative
prevention strategies for threat assessment, active shooter drills, and
requires public and charter schools to secure all exterior doors and
vestibules. It requires all newly built schools to install classroom door
locks. An amendment pending on the bill would extend the law to include private
schools. This year’s upcoming budget also includes nearly $32 million for the
Tennessee School Safety Initiative. It
provides 131 new positions to support the school safety division related Homeland Security. It would provide at least one
special agent for each of the state’s 95 counties. The agent would be
responsible for providing threat assessments, monitoring safety as well as
collaborating with law enforcement. House Bill 322 is scheduled to be
considered in the House chamber on April 6.
----------------------------------------
General Assembly approves
$3.3 billion for transportation infrastructure.
Legislation
that will modernize Tennessee’s infrastructure and address critical
transportation needs now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature. The
House on Thursday approved House Bill 321, known as the Transportation
Modernization Act, which will invest an unprecedented $3.3 billion to
accommodate Tennessee’s record growth, address traffic congestion and meet
transportation needs across rural and urban communities. Gov. Bill Lee earlier
this session announced the investment plan as part of his legislative package
for the year. Transportation Chairman Dan Howell, R-Ocoee, and Majority Leader
William Lamberth, R-Portland, guided passage of the bill through the House in
partnership with Lee’s administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation
(TDOT). “Our roads are the vital arteries of our communities that connect
Tennesseans to their jobs and schools, goods to our businesses, and first
responders to the scene in emergencies,” Lamberth said. “This investment
addresses challenges like potholes, safety, and long commutes, but more
importantly, it creates greater, faster access to more destinations. Our state
is well prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.” The legislation will give
TDOT the resources needed to solve the state’s current and future mobility
challenges, including seeking the use of public-private partnerships to
preserve state funds for rural infrastructure priorities, exploring Choice
Lanes to decrease congestion and increase economic impact statewide, and
expanding the alternative delivery model to save taxpayer dollars and deliver
road projects more efficiently. “As Tennessee continues to experience
unprecedented growth, investing in our transportation infrastructure is
essential to ensuring residents and our economy keep moving forward,” said
Howell. “The Transportation Modernization Act will provide historic funding to
address congestion in both rural and urban areas of our state. It will also
provide innovative solutions to these challenges without the need to raise taxes.
I was honored to guide passage of this important piece of legislation in the
House, and I appreciate Gov. Lee, TDOT, and my colleagues in the General
Assembly for their support of this generational shift in how we address
infrastructure in our state.” The legislation provides $750 million for
infrastructure for each of the four transportation regions with another $300
million to expand the State Aid Program for local road projects. It also
expands TDOT’s existing alternative delivery tools and establishes a structure
for electric/hybrid vehicle fees.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – APRIL 7, 2023
----------------------------------------
Rep. Susan Lynn's Statement Regarding the Expulsions of TN State House
Representatives Pearson & Jones.
This
extraordinary action was due to extraordinary circumstances. After two weeks of
turmoil in the Tennessee House, Members voted overwhelmingly to expel members
who conspired to overtake the House Chamber. The evidence proved that they
plotted together to disrupt the proceedings of the House. These members have
continually interrupted the proceedings, verbally attacked fellow
representatives, disrespectful to committee chairmen, verbally attacked the
speaker of the house, incited disorder in committees as well as in the House
Chamber, and took over the Chamber of the Tennessee House. I experienced the
actions of the three legislators firsthand. When Session began in January, this
group routinely rose to speak on bills to call out white supremacy, among other
accusations. This is out of order and breaks House Rules, and on each
occurrence, the Speaker promptly gaveled them out of order. Last week: while we
were all grieving the Covenant School tragedy, the three members chose to use
the tragedy to raise themselves up, making themselves higher than the victims,
and their families. It appeared their primary object was to score political
points for themselves one of the left’s favorite issues, Gun Control. On two
separate days, these members created a disturbance in the House for several
hours. They amassed a large crowd inside and outside of the Capitol and House
Chamber to demand gun control. On the House Floor, among other accusations,
they accused Republicans of being the true murderers of the children, the teachers
and even the killer herself. The crowd in the balcony
joined each time with a deafening scream. On the first day, we had no idea of
what they were planning to do. As they rose to speak, making their accusations
bill after bill, when the time was right, they gathered at Rep. Johnson’s desk
and proceeded to commandeer the House Floor. Yelling into a bullhorn, they
incited the crowd in the gallery to a deafening pitch demanding gun control.
Each day State Troopers had to physically remove unruly individuals who were
particularly provoked by the three. Ultimately, Troopers had to remove everyone
from the entire balcony above the House floor due to the disorderly conduct
which would not stop. Their Democrat leadership was furious with them for this
breach of House Rules and decorum, and so was ours. These members ignored
repeated commands from the Sergeant-at-Arms to cease and desist. Since Session
began in January, these Reps have repeatedly broken House rules on the floor
and with similar conduct in committee. It was clear early-on that they sought
attention as one of the members was followed around all day, every day, by a
Netflix camera crew. It was explained that it is unlawful for us to profit from
our office so a reality series about him being a Representative would be out of
the question. I explain all of this to make a point.
In my opinion, the House members we disciplined were defiant and disrespectful
to the House. It was selfish to use the tragic deaths of young children and
teachers for their own personal political gain. Dishonest to the crowd they
drew, was to provide an impression that there was “gun control” legislation on
which to vote. There is none. Each of the three could have easily filed bills
at the beginning of session to do something about school safety or shootings,
but they never did. They commandeered the House Chamber to blame Republicans
for not voting for legislation that does not exist while repeatedly accusing
Republicans of killing children with guns, of being white supremacists, and
calling us racists. If you watched the expulsion proceedings, you saw them call
Republican members racist, while clearly expressing racism themselves to divert
attention from their own misdeeds. Their Thursday seizure of the House Chamber
ended with Democrat Leader Karen Camper and Representative Joe Towns severely
scolding them. Camper demanded that they leave the
podium and go into the House Clerks office for a private meeting. We cannot
help but be curious. What was their exit plan had Leader Camper not forced them
to end their occupation of the Well? They were asked this question at their
expulsion hearing but they did not provide an answer.
In Rep. Johnson's closing comments, she accused members of racism. She kept her
seat by one Republican vote. When she exited the chamber, she proceeded to
further incite the crowd by telling them that they kept me because I am white.
Article II, Section 12 of the Tennessee Constitution states; Each House may
determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly
behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member, but not a
second time for the same offense; and shall have all other powers necessary for
a branch of the Legislature of a free state. We heard these members repeatedly
cite passages from the Bible. But in the Bible, forgiveness always follows
contrition. There was no contrition but rather promises that their antics would
continue.
----------------------------------------
House approves sweeping school safety enhancements.
The House
chamber of Thursday passed bipartisan legislation that significantly
strengthens safety at public and private schools across Tennessee. The School
Safety Act of 2023, House Bill 322, was introduced in January, though several
measures were added following the deadly shooting at the Covenant School in
Nashville on March 27. House and Senate leaders joined Gov. Bill Lee on Monday
to announce the additional actions to heighten safety
at public and private schools across Tennessee. These measures include enhanced
legislation and funding to place an armed security guard at every Tennessee
public school, boost physical school security at public and private schools,
and provide additional mental health resources for Tennesseans. The bill adds
$140 million to establish a school resource officer (SRO) grant fund to place a
trained, armed security guard at every public school. “Our children must feel
safe when they attend their school of choice. Gov. Lee’s plan to fund SROs for
public and private schools will provide a safer learning environment and
additional security,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville. “We also
must continue to address mental health in K-12 education and provide resources
like counselors, social workers, and other health care professionals.” The
bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and
House Education Chairman Mark White, R-Memphis, codifies best practices already
carried out in most Tennessee schools. The bill aims to ensure a statewide
standard of school safety by putting in place collaborative prevention
strategies for threat assessment, active shooter drills, and requires public
and charter schools to secure all exterior doors and vestibules. It requires
all newly built schools to install classroom door locks. “The tragedy at
Covenant School underscores that evil takes the path of least resistance and
preys on society’s most vulnerable. No child, parent, teacher
or school employee should ever fear for their safety,” said Lamberth. “I am
thankful to Gov. Lee and my Republican colleagues for their continued
commitment and investment in our schools. These are aggressive and necessary
steps that will ensure Tennessee’s schools are the safest, most secure in the
nation.” The Tennessee General Assembly and Gov. Lee have prioritized
investments in school safety over the last four years. Lee in 2021 signed
Executive Order 97 and launched a statewide effort to enhance school safety by
boosting collaboration among parents, schools and
local law enforcement across the state. The School Safety Act of 2023 / House
Bill 322: • Enacts a multi-tiered accountability plan to require exterior doors
of public and private schools are locked when students are present. • Requires
that private security guards are held to a high standard and receive active
shooter training. • Requires every public and private school to develop annual
safety plans. • Require all newly built schools to: install classroom door
locks that lock from the inside; secure vestibules for visitor entry; require
the installation of a clear bullet-resistant or entry-resistant film on the
glass panel of any exterior entry or basement-level window to prevent
individuals from entering who are not allowed and require camera systems to
continuously monitor each entrance, hallway and
communal area. Gov. Lee’s amended budget proposal includes $30 million to
expand a statewide homeland security network with agents serving students in
public and private schools; $140 million to establish an SRO grant fund to
place a trained, armed security guard at every public school; $20 million for
public school security upgrades; $7 million for private school security
upgrades; $8 million for additional school-based behavioral health liaisons
across the state.
----------------------------------------
Republicans pass historic tax cuts for families and businesses.
House
Republicans on Monday passed the largest tax cut in state history, which
represents $407 million in cuts impacting every Tennessean, including a
three-month-long sales tax holiday on food from August 1st thru October 31st.
The Tennessee Works Tax Reform Act of 2023 makes a number of changes to the
state’s tax code. House Bill 323, sponsored in the House by Majority Leader
William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Assistant Majority Leader Mark Cochran,
R-Englewood, is part of Gov. Bill Lee’s top legislative initiatives for 2023.
The bill aims to lower the tax burden on businesses, boost Tennessee’s economic
competitiveness, promote entrepreneurship and small business formation, as well
as provide targeted relief to families. Tennessee Republicans remain committed
to keeping taxes low. Tennessee is the second-lowest taxed state in the nation
and collects zero income tax. The cuts provide significant tax relief to small
businesses by lowering the burden of the franchise and excise tax as well as
the business tax rate. The bill would allow more than 23,000 small businesses
in Tennessee to reduce their excise tax liability to zero by exempting the
first $50,000 in income. It also exempts up to $500,000 of business property
from franchise tax liability. The tax cuts would exempt 140,000 Tennessee
businesses from the business tax by raising the threshold for business tax
exemptions from $10,000 to $100,000 of gross receipts. In addition, it reduces
the highest rate from 0.3% to 0.1%. The proposal will strengthen Tennessee’s
economic competitiveness while prioritizing businesses within our state’s
borders. It incentivizes businesses to hire Tennesseans and headquarters here.
It ensures state tax deductions for research and development (R&D) expenses
that help companies grow, innovate and produce
superior products and services. Finally, it also seeks to incentivize
businesses to provide paid family leave to employees by establishing a
state-paid family leave franchise and excise tax credit on wages paid for a
two-year pilot period. The companion version of the bill is currently advancing
in the Senate.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – APRIL 14, 2023
----------------------------------------
House passes Tennessee Information Protection Act.
The House
of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved legislation that will protect
Tennesseans’ right to privacy and ensure they have control of the personal
information they share online. House Bill 1181, also known as the Tennessee
Information Protection Act, requires large technology companies like Google,
Instagram, and TikTok to fully disclose to consumers what information is being
collected about them through their online activities. “This provides a
mechanism where they have to protect (your) data,” said bill sponsor House
Majority Whip Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville. “They have to make sure you’re
aware of what they do with that data. They have to make you aware if they sell
the data. They have to give you a copy of the data. If you request that data to
be deleted, this legislation makes them delete that information.” When
consumers interact on websites, social media or apps,
they leave behind personal information that is sold without their knowledge to
groups that use it to market their products, ideas or beliefs with targeted
ads. The Tennessee Information Protection Act will require online platforms to
disclose up-front exactly what personal information will be collected and how
they intend to use it. Tennesseans will also be able to opt-out of the selling
of their personal information to third parties without discrimination.
Additionally, the legislation includes protections for biometric data that
measures physical characteristics like voice records, fingerprints, retinal scans or facial recognition. Companies that misuse a
consumer’s information will also be held accountable. The bill gives the state
attorney general the authority to impose civil penalties if these big tech
companies fail to safeguard private data or violate consumer protections. The
companion version of House Bill 1181 is still awaiting Senate approval.
----------------------------------------
House approves sweeping school safety
enhancements, prepares to pass budget.
Lawmakers
have been winding down legislative business for the first session of the 113th
General Assembly as the House and Senate chambers prepare to pass a budget and
additional safety measures to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous
individuals. Gov. Bill Lee on Tuesday issued an executive order aimed at
strengthening background checks. Tennessee law already prohibits people who
have been involuntarily committed for psychiatric treatment from possessing or
purchasing firearms. The governor’s order sets a 72-hour period for reporting
new relevant criminal activity and court mental health information to the
Tennessee Instant Check System (TICS). “We’ve been meeting with all
stakeholders, the Department of Health, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation,
the Department of Education, and families with children who went to Covenant
School,” House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland said on Thursday.
“We are focused on the horrendous tragedy (in Tennessee,) but it’s not just
about that shooting; It’s about preventing the next one. It’s about making sure
that never happens in Tennessee ever again. All ideas (are) on the table and
we’ve had some spirited discussions. I feel like we can take some good steps
forward and we already have with the School Safety Act.” The House chamber last
week passed bipartisan legislation that significantly strengthens safety at
public and private schools across Tennessee. The School Safety Act of 2023,
House Bill 322, was introduced in January, though several measures were added
following the deadly shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville on March 27.
These measures include enhanced legislation and funding to place an armed
security guard at every Tennessee public school, boost physical school security
at public and private schools, and provide additional mental health resources
for Tennesseans. The bill adds $140 million to establish a school resource
officer (SRO) grant fund to place a trained, armed security guard at every
public school. “If there’s one place every child should feel safe, it’s in
school. So we’ve focused on that, but we want to go
beyond that and focus on mental health to make sure there are no loopholes
there for those who are being involuntarily committed,” Lamberth said. In
reference to the Covenant school shooting, our office found extensive research
on mass shootings. For more information, visit theviolenceproject.org
----------------------------------------
House increases support for human trafficking victims.
Republican
legislation to allow victims of human trafficking to receive financial support
in Tennessee has been unanimously approved by the House chamber. House Bill 555
adds human trafficking offenses to the list of eligible victims who can receive
compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation (CIC) Fund for personal
injury or loss incurred as a result of the crime. “This bill was drafted… to
allow victims of human trafficking the same opportunities as other victims to
access the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund for pain and suffering,” said
bill sponsor State Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson. The CIC was established as a
fund of last resort to financially assist innocent victims of violent crimes in
Tennessee that result in personal injury. Eligible victims and claimants may be
reimbursed for medical expenses, loss of wages and other unforeseen costs
related to the crime. The legislation clarifies that an individual is still
eligible for compensation from the fund if they could not fully cooperate
during the investigation and prosecution of the offender if their cooperation
was impacted due to their age, physical condition, psychological state,
cultural or linguistic barriers or due to other health and safety concerns. It
also removes the requirement that human trafficking victims, or claimants
acting on their behalf, must have reported the offense to law enforcement
within 48 hours. The companion version of House Bill 555 is currently advancing
in the Senate.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – APRIL 24, 2023
----------------------------------------
Session Adjourns! Gov. Lee’s Full ‘Tennessee Leading the Nation’
Agenda Passes.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Last Friday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the close of the 2023
legislative session, which includes the successful passage of his $56.2 billion
budget and full legislative agenda as outlined during his State of the State
address in February. “To prepare Tennessee for continued growth and prosperity,
we’ve made strategic investments to cut taxes, strengthen our workforce, ensure
educational opportunity and modernize transportation infrastructure across our
state,” said Lee. “I commend the General Assembly for its partnership to pass
conservative measures and maintain Tennessee’s reputation for strong fiscal
stewardship.” Lee’s agenda included the landmark Transportation Modernization
Act, historic legislation that will create a new transportation strategy and
invest $3.3 billion to accommodate Tennessee’s record growth, address traffic
congestion and meet transportation needs across rural and urban communities
without raising taxes or taking on debt. The roster of budget and legislative
priorities also dedicated $250 million to Tennessee’s Rainy-Day Fund, bringing
totals to an historic $2.05 billion, and included significant investments in
tax relief, K-12 education, Tennessee’s skilled workforce and conservation.
Notably, Lee led a comprehensive school safety proposal to enhance physical
security in public and non-public schools across Tennessee.
----------------------------------------
Gov. Lee to Call Special Session on Public Safety.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Last Friday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that he will call
for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special session to pass legislation
that will strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights. Gov. Lee
will release additional details and issue an official call in the coming days.
“After much input from members of the General Assembly and discussions with
legislative leadership, we have decided to call a special session to continue
our work to protect Tennessee communities and preserve constitutional rights,”
said Gov. Lee. “There is broad agreement that dangerous, unstable individuals
who intend to harm themselves or others should not have access to weapons. We
also share a strong commitment to preserving Second Amendment rights, ensuring
due process and addressing the heart of the problem
with strengthened mental health resources. I look forward to continued
partnership with the General Assembly as we pursue thoughtful, practical
solutions to keep Tennesseans safe.”
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – APRIL 28, 2023
----------------------------------------
At the beginning of the 113th General Assembly Rep. Lynn Passed
Crucial House Bills 841 & 843 Amend Current Obscenity Law
In the
amended version, House Bill 841 makes it a Class E felony "for a book
publisher, distributor, or seller to knowingly sell or distribute obscene
matter to a public school serving any of the grades
K-12. In addition to the punishment authorized for a Class E felony (one to six
years imprisonment and a fine of up to $3,000), a person who violates this
amendment's prohibition will additionally be fined at least $10,000, but not
more than $100,000". House Bill 843 amends present law to include the
following: (1) Material that contains nudity or descriptions or depictions of
sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sadomasochistic abuse
for the age or maturity level of a student in any of the grades K-12 and must
not be maintained in a school's library collection; or (2) Is patently
offensive, or appeals to the prurient interest for the age or maturity level of
a student in any of the grades K-12 and must not be maintained in a school's
library collection. Under this amendment, if an LEA receives feedback
concerning a material under the policy described in (1)-(3), then the LEA must
evaluate and determine, within 60 days from the date the feedback was received,
whether the material is appropriate. If the LEA does not make
a determination within 60 days, the person who submitted the feedback
may request the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission
to evaluate the material. This amendment specifies that an LEA's determination
made on whether a material is appropriate for the age and maturity level of the
students who may access the material, and whether the material is suitable for,
and consistent with, the educational mission of the school, does not establish
a contemporary community standard for purposes of the criminal offenses
involving obscenity. This amendment requires the commission to evaluate and
determine whether a material in a school's library collection is appropriate
for the age and maturity level of the students who may access the materials,
and whether the material is suitable for, and consistent with, the educational
mission of the school if the LEA does not make a timely determination as
described above. The commission must issue the commission's determination in
writing and each LEA must include, or remove, the challenged material in, or
from, the library collection for each of the LEA's schools for the grade levels
for which the commission has found the challenged material to be appropriate or
inappropriate for students. However, House Bill 843 is not current law. This is
due to the Senate version has not been voted on. It will heard
in Senate Education at the beginning of next session.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – MAY 5, 2023
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Gov. Lee Recognizes "Foster Care Month" in Tennessee.
Celebrates $600 M to accelerate child placement, support foster & adoptive
families.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. On Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee proclaimed the month of May
‘Foster Care Month’ in Tennessee and recognized foster families for providing
loving, permanent homes to children in need. Lee also marked this year’s
successful passage of bipartisan legislation and an historic $600 million in
funding to accelerate child placement and support foster and adoptive families.
“This ‘Foster Care Month’, we recognize the 5,000 Tennessee families who open
their hearts and hands to children in need,” said Lee. “We have an obligation
to ensure that every child has a loving, permanent home, and I thank
Commissioner Quin and the General Assembly for partnering to deliver important
support to children and families.”
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Forever Homes Act.
This year,
the Lee administration strengthened support for foster and adoptive families
through the Forever Homes Act, bipartisan legislation that will accelerate
child placement by: Allowing for a judicial waiver to speed adoption
finalization from six to three months if a court sees fit; providing foster
parents a respite period of up to six months without losing their standing as a
foster home; extending care services for expectant mothers on TennCare.
----------------------------------------
Ways to Serve Children & Families.
Lee also
invited Tennesseans to give back by supporting foster children and families in
their local communities. Through Tennessee Fosters Hope, a public-private
initiative created in partnership with Lee, DCS and the Office of Faith-Based
and Community Initiatives in 2021, Tennessee families, churches and businesses
can donate items, volunteer time and learn more about
opportunities to foster or adopt children in need. This month, DCS will engage
Tennesseans and businesses to give back to foster families, including
connecting foster children to free camp opportunities throughout the summer.
Learn more about the summer camp initiative and additional volunteer
opportunities in May here. During May, Tennessee Serves, an initiative of First
Lady Maria Lee, will connect Tennesseans to volunteer opportunities to serve
children and families across Tennessee.
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Walmart Wellness Day this Saturday!
Walmart
invites communities to gear up for a healthy summer at Walmart Wellness Day on
Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. local time. This community event provides
free health screenings, free and low-cost immunizations, and the opportunity to
talk with a local Walmart pharmacist at more than 4,600 stores nationwide.
Since 2014, Walmart pharmacies have hosted Walmart Wellness Days, providing
more than 5 million health screenings and 225,000 immunizations to customers
across the country. The goal of Walmart Wellness Day this quarter is to help
customers prepare for a healthy and safe summer with an emphasis on First Aid
kits and sunscreen. Customers can also participate in free health screenings
for cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, and more. Insurance is not
required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, which is available at no cost, and
other vaccines are covered under most major insurance plans. Customers can find
a free event near them at Walmart.com/wellnesshub.
Please feel free to share this information with your constituents and community
organizations.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – MAY 12, 2023
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State Rep. Susan Lynn secures $10K for Little League baseball in Mt.
Juliet.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – State Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mt. Juliet, has secured $10,000 in state
funding for Mt. Juliet League, Inc. The funding will be used to support the
organization’s Little League baseball program in the community. “Sports
participation is one of the best ways for children to stay active and learn
valuable life skills like teamwork,” Lynn said. “Mt. Juliet Little League
ensures those opportunities are available to the youth here in our community. I
appreciate my colleagues in the General Assembly for their support of this
worthy organization.” The appropriated funds are part of a $56.2 billion
balanced budget that was passed by the General Assembly in April. Republican
priorities included making significant investments in transportation
infrastructure, education, school safety, health care and economic development
while also providing more than $400 million in tax cuts for Tennesseans.
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Gov. Lee announces TN Special Session On
Public Safety to begin August 21 and invites Tennesseans to share feedback on
public safety & preserving constitutional rights.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – On Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that he will call for
the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special legislative session on
August 21, 2023, to strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional
rights. “After speaking with members of the General Assembly, I am calling for
a special session on August 21 to continue our important discussion about
solutions to keep Tennessee communities safe and preserve the constitutional
rights of law-abiding citizens,” said Gov. Lee. “There is broad agreement that
action is needed, and in the weeks ahead, we’ll continue to listen to
Tennesseans and pursue thoughtful, practical measures that strengthen the
safety of Tennesseans, preserve Second Amendment rights, prioritize due process
protections, support law enforcement and address mental health.” Starting
today, Tennesseans are invited to engage in the conversation by sharing
feedback here.
Gov. Lee
will meet with legislators, stakeholders and
Tennesseans throughout the summer to discuss practical solutions ahead of the
special session. The Governor’s office will issue a formal call ahead of the
special session.
----------------------------------------
Gov. Lee Signs Strong School Safety Measures Into
Law. Commends $230M to protect Tennessee students & teachers.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – On Wednesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed strong school safety
legislation into law and recognized the investment of more than $230 million to
strengthen safety at public and private schools across Tennessee. “Nothing is
more important than Tennessee students and teachers returning home from school
safely each day,” said Gov. Lee. “Every year since 2019, we’ve worked with the
General Assembly to prioritize school safety, and this year, we’ve passed
significant measures to fund an armed SRO for every public school, enhance
mental health support and boost physical security at public and private schools
across Tennessee.” At the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Lee
introduced a bill to strengthen physical security at every public school and
enhance accountability in school safety protocols, in addition to an initial
budget proposal that included $30 million for 122 Homeland Security agents to
serve students at both public and private schools in every Tennessee county.
Following the tragic Covenant shooting, Gov. Lee worked with the General
Assembly to enhance his legislation and increase funding in the Fiscal Year
23-24 budget to place an armed School Resource Officer (SRO) at every Tennessee
public school, boost physical school security at public and private schools,
and provide additional mental health resources for Tennesseans.
----------------------------------------
Enhanced School Safety Legislation.
Enacts a multi-tiered accountability plan to ensure exterior doors are
locked while students are present. Requires that private security guards
receive active shooter training prior to being posted at schools. Requires
every school district to establish threat assessment teams to ensure students
are connected to support services and behavioral health professionals when
appropriate. Requires every public and private school to develop annual safety
plans, including a newly required incident command drill for school leaders and
law enforcement.
----------------------------------------
$230 Million in School Safety Funding.
The bill
gives $30 million for more than 100 Homeland Security agents across all 95
counties to serve Tennesseans and students in both public and non-public
schools; $140 million for one full-time, armed School Resource Officer (SRO)
for every public school; $40 million for public school security upgrades; $14
million for private school security upgrades and $8 million for additional
School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons across the state. Since 2019, Gov. Lee
and the Tennessee General Assembly have prioritized investments in school
safety every year. In June 2021, the Governor signed Executive Order 97 and
launched a statewide effort to enhance school safety by boosting collaboration
among parents, schools and local law enforcement
across the state. A complete list of Gov. Lee’s school safety actions to date
can be found here.
----------------------------------------
Gov. Lee Signs Single Largest Tax Cut in Tennessee History into Law.
Tennessee Works Tax Act to provide $400M in savings for families & small
businesses.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. On Thursday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the Tennessee Works Tax
Act, the single largest tax cut in state history, to provide more than $400
million in savings for Tennessee families and businesses while supporting
future economic growth. The legislation includes a three-month grocery tax
holiday beginning August 1. Tennessee’s legacy of responsible fiscal
stewardship has allowed our state to weather national economic storms while
maintaining a balanced budget and cutting taxes for Tennesseans,” said Governor
Bill Lee. “We thank the General Assembly for partnering with us to make the
right investments for Tennessee families and businesses while supporting our
state’s future economic growth and success.” The Tennessee Works Tax Act totals
more than $400 million in tax cuts for Tennessee families and businesses,
including a three-month grocery tax suspension: Tennessee Works Tax Act
(SB275/HB323) provides $273 million for a one-time, three-month sales tax
holiday on grocery items to direct relief for Tennessee families from August 1
through October 31 and more than $150 million in annual small business tax
relief, including raising the exemption threshold for the business tax,
exempting the first $50,000 of net income from excise tax and protecting the
first $500,000 in property investment from the franchise tax. Also provides $64
million to simplify tax administration and conform with the federal bonus
depreciation provisions of 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, allowing businesses to
more quickly recover costs and further incentivize
investment in Tennessee production along with providing foundation for
supporting Tennessee’s continued economic growth, aligning Tennessee with more
than 30 states by adopting “single sales factor” apportionment for franchise and
excise tax.
----------------------------------------
Tennessee Celebrates Record $27.5 Billion In Travel Spending In 2022.
Recognizes Historic Milestones During National Travel and Tourism Week.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (May 9, 2023) - This National Travel and Tourism Week, Tennessee Governor
Bill Lee, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell and Sevier County tourism leaders announced new
milestones today in Pigeon Forge, including a record $27.5 billion in travel
spending in 2022, according to preliminary data from U.S. Travel and Tourism
Economics. Among the top 25 states, Tennessee is the fastest-growing state in
travel spending since 2018 and has risen from 14th to 11th in the nation for
travel spending. “Tourism is a top driver of economic growth and job creation
across our state, giving Tennesseans even greater opportunities to thrive,”
said Gov. Bill Lee. “As we celebrate another record year for tourism in
Tennessee, we’re committed to ensuring that our state remains a top destination
for travel.” The leisure and hospitality industry plays an essential role in
Tennessee’s economy and employs over 352,000 Tennesseans. While good for the
industry, the news also benefits the entire state. As the state’s 2nd leading
industry, tourism is a significant source of tax revenue for Tennessee
contributing $1.8 billion in state sales tax collections in 2022. “Tennessee’s
tourism, leisure and hospitality industry is leading the nation, and we are
grateful to our hardworking industry for making these historic new milestones
possible,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist
Development. “Visitors come for our incredible scenic beauty, dining and world-class attractions, and keep coming back for
our unmatched hospitality. There’s nowhere better to live, work and play than
Tennessee.” This news comes during National Travel and Tourism Week, an annual
celebration of the industry which spotlights the essential role travel plays in
economic growth and innovation. Visitors are invited to stop in any of
Tennessee’s 16 Welcome Centers this week to get a taste of area destinations.
----------------------------------------
BY THE NUMBERS.
Tennessee
reached a record $27.5 billion in visitor spending in 2022, marking a $3
billion increase (+14%) over 2021, according to U.S. Travel. Travel spending
propelled Tennessee to 11th in the nation for travel spending in 2021 and 2022,
up from its previous record of 14 in 2020. (Preliminary rankings released April
2023 by U.S. Travel). The industry contributed $1.8 billion in actual state
sales tax collections in 2022. New county-level data is expected in August
2023. The National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) was established in 1983 and is an
annual tradition to celebrate the U.S. travel community and travel’s essential
role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating
quality job opportunities, inspiring new businesses
and elevating the quality of life for Americans every day. May 7-13, 2023,
marks the 40th anniversary of NTTW. Travel is integral to every industry and
nearly everything we do. Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass,
country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll — delivering an
unparalleled experience of beauty, history, and family adventure, infused with
music that creates a vacation that is the “Soundtrack of America. Made in
Tennessee.” Explore more at TNvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers
by following “TNVacation” on Facebook, Twitter,
Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, and “Tennessee” on Snapchat.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – MAY 19, 2023
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Gov. Lee Signs Historic Bill to Raise Teacher Pay, Protect Taxpayer
Dollars & provides largest teacher pay raise in state history, ensures
union dues are not collected by school districts.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – On Thursday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the signing of the
Teacher Paycheck Protection Act, a landmark bill that will give teachers the
largest pay raise in state history and protect Tennessee teachers and taxpayers
by ensuring that union membership dues are no longer collected by school
districts. “Teaching is more than just a career - it’s a calling,” said Gov.
Lee. “The Teacher Paycheck Protection Act provides the largest salary increase
in Tennessee history and ensures union dues are no longer collected by school
districts, giving teachers control of their own hard-earned paycheck. I thank
the General Assembly for their continued partnership to support Tennessee
teachers and ensure taxpayer dollars are used to educate students, not fund
politics.” The Teacher Paycheck Protection Act continues Gov. Lee’s commitment
to increase teacher pay each year since taking office and will support students
and teachers by making Tennessee a top-10 state for teacher pay to recruit and
retain highly qualified teachers; raising the minimum teacher salary to $50,000
by 2026, a significant increase from $35,000 in 2019 and protecting teachers
and taxpayers by ensuring that union membership dues are never automatically
deducted from teacher paychecks. Gov. Lee appreciates the Tennessee General
Assembly’s partnership to invest in teachers and protect taxpayer dollars.
“Teachers are tasked with the incredibly important job of educating the next
generation,” said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R - Franklin). “This
legislation recognizes the importance of teachers’ work by raising their pay
and protecting their paychecks. It will also enhance the quality of our
education system by helping attract and retain talented teachers. I am grateful
to Senator Powers for helping pass this legislation in the Senate and
appreciate Governor Lee for proposing this initiative.” “When we invest in the
people who guide, teach and nurture our students, it pays big dividends down
the road,” said House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R - Portland). “The
efforts of Governor Lee and the General Assembly to prioritize students and
elevate the teaching profession will prove to be transformative for our state.
We are investing in education at every level in Tennessee. By providing
competitive compensation, we will create a pipeline of highly effective and
talented individuals eager to become educators.” “Through this legislation we
are reinforcing our commitment to Tennessee teachers and improving education,”
said Senator Bill Powers (R - Clarksville). “These pay raises will help recruit
talented individuals and mitigate teacher shortages. I was glad to work with
Governor Lee, Leader Johnson and my colleagues in the
Senate to pass this important initiative. I look forward to continuing our work
to support Tennessee teachers.” “Tennessee’s teachers inspire, empower and
transform the lives of students across our state each year,” said State Representative
Debra Moody (R - Covington). “These dedicated individuals should receive the
compensation they deserve. The Tennessee Teacher Paycheck Protection Act
represents the largest salary increase for educators in our state’s history. It
also protects tax dollars from being used to benefit organizations like labor
unions. I was honored to help guide passage of this important piece of
legislation to help Tennessee become one of the top states in the nation for
teacher pay.”
----------------------------------------
TNECD Requesting Letters of Intent for Tennessee Historic Development
Grant.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – On Monday, The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development announced today that letters of intent are now being requested for
the Tennessee Historic Development Grant Program (HDGP). Developed by the
Tennessee General Assembly in 2021, the first and second rounds of the program
provided $15 million for projects that aim to renovate and preserve the state’s
commercial historic buildings. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee
General Assembly approved a third round of this program in April 2023 after
overwhelming support and interest. The funds encourage communities and private
developers to invest in buildings that have contributed to a community’s
history but now sit idle. These buildings can once again contribute to the
economy through job creation and commercial opportunities. A letter of intent
is required to participate and can be submitted from May 15 to June 23, 2023,
to confirm eligibility of the historic property by TNECD and the Tennessee
Historical Commission. Applications will be accepted from July 10 to August 25,
2023. This program will be highly competitive, and applications will be scored
based on project need, impact, overall plan, financing, feasibility, support and location. Various criteria must be met for a
structure to be eligible for a grant. Eligible properties that qualify as
certified historic structures are defined here. Additionally, frequently asked
questions can also be found on the website. Applicants will be notified of award later this fall, and contracts are expected to begin
within a month of announcing the awards. TNECD will be hosting a webinar for
those interested to learn more about the letter of
intent and program guidelines. Webinar information: HDGP Application Webinar
Thursday, May 18, 2023 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CDT. The
webinar will be recorded and uploaded to the website for those unable to
attend. Additional information about the grant, eligibility and application can
be found at https://www.tn.gov/ecd/rural-development/historic-development-grant-program.html
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – JUNE 2, 2023
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Gov. Lee Announces Statewide "Build With
Us" Tour. Stops planned across rural & urban Tennessee to celebrate $3.3B Transportation Modernization Act.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – On Wednesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced a statewide “Build
with Us Tour” to celebrate the landmark Transportation Modernization Act and
highlight key infrastructure priorities across rural and urban Tennessee. Gov.
Lee’s travel will include stops in all three Grand Divisions throughout June
and July, beginning in Fentress County on Thursday, June 1. “As Tennessee
continues to experience record growth, the Transportation Modernization Act
will ensure our roads keep up with the pace,” said Gov. Lee. “This summer, I
look forward to seeing how our new transportation strategy will prepare rural
and urban Tennessee for continued economic growth and opportunity, without new
taxes or debt, and I thank the legislature for its partnership to ensure our
state’s success.” Gov. Lee introduced the Transportation Modernization Act this
year and signed it into law on April 17, following successful bipartisan
passage in the Tennessee General Assembly. The plan creates a new
transportation strategy and will invest an additional $3.3 billion to
accommodate Tennessee’s record growth, address traffic congestion and meet
transportation needs across rural and urban communities. The strategy will give
the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) the resources needed to solve
the state’s current and future mobility challenges, including seeking the use
of public-private partnerships to preserve state funds for rural infrastructure
priorities, exploring Choice Lanes to decrease congestion and increase economic
impact statewide, and expanding the alternative delivery model to save taxpayer
dollars and deliver road projects more efficiently. “Tennessee is at a critical
juncture when it comes to mobility, and the Transportation Modernization Act
will meet the infrastructure needs of our growing state, without incurring new
debt or raising taxes,” said TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “I commend the
Governor and the General Assembly for their work to prepare our state’s rural
and urban communities for continued prosperity.”
----------------------------------------
Tennessee Department of Human Services Opens 2023 Families First
Community Grant Program Applications with approximately $30 million which will
be made available in funding to non-profits dedicated to strengthening
Tennessee families, support self-sufficiency.
NASHVILLE,
TN– The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has opened applications
for the 2023 Families First Community Grant Program, an initiative that will
make available approximately $30 million in funding to non-profit organizations
providing direct services to strengthen Tennessee families in need and promote
self-sufficiency. Qualifying non-profit organizations are invited to apply here
through July 7 at 5 p.m. CST. “We’re extending an invitation to eligible
nonprofit organizations to unite with us in pursuit to expand
supportive services to families in Tennessee that generate positive,
sustainable outcomes. We believe that together we can
make a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most,” commented
TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. “Through community partnerships we can
ensure that all state residents have an opportunity to reach their full
potential as contributing members of our community, and together, we can build
stronger families, stronger communities and a stronger Tennessee.” The Families
First Community Grant program was created as an additional method to invest
TANF funds in ways to provide assistance to low-income
families and help them move towards sustainable economic stability. The grants
will support a wide range of services in the areas of education, health and
well-being, economic stability and fostering safe, stable, and nurturing
relationships. The grant recipients will be selected through a competitive
application process and evaluated based upon their ability to provide effective
services and programs that address the specific needs of the community. TDHS
encourages all community-based, nonprofit organizations ready to play a central
role in the design and implementation of programs that address the unique
problems of low-income families in their communities and fosters at least one
of the federal TANF goals to submit an application for
a Families First Community Grant. The department is focused on partnering with
organizations that can provide family-focused solutions that demonstrate
measurable impacts designed with the goal of transforming Tennessee’s safety
net by growing the capacity of vulnerable families to self-sufficiency and
economic prosperity. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) consists
of multiple divisions with a unified mission to build strong families by
connecting Tennesseans to employment, education, and supportive services. Led
by governor-appointed Commissioner Clarence H. Carter, TDHS serves nearly two
million Tennesseans to ensure that all state residents have an opportunity to
reach their full potential as contributing members of their community. Among
the many services and programs provided by TDHS, some of the leading programs
include the Child Support Program, Child and Adult Day Services and Licensing,
Families First (the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Rehabilitation Services for
people with disabilities, and Adult Protective Services, along with many
others. TDHS is an organization committed to connecting people to resources
that help individuals, families and communities thrive towards long-term
economic freedom and prosperity. For more information, please visit: Tennessee
Department of Human Services at http://tn.gov/humanservices.html
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – JUNE 7, 2023
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Gov. Lee Launches ‘Tri-Stars and Stripes’ Council to Position
Tennessee as the Leading State for Military and Veterans.
The
Tennesseans who have courageously served our state and nation deserve our
highest honor and strongest support. This week, Governor Bill Lee signed an
executive order to create the ‘Tri-Stars and Stripes’ Council and develop a
strategic plan that will better serve and support members of our armed forces.
Executive Order 102 reconstitutes an existing council as Tri-Stars and Stripes:
The Governor’s Council for Service Members, Veterans and Their Families,
bringing together state agencies – as well as local and private partners – to
collaborate and seize every opportunity to position Tennessee as the best state
for service members, veterans and their families to live, work and prosper,
including increasing coordination between all state agencies related to
military and veterans; ensuring collaboration of key public and private
military and veterans programs; promoting Tennessee as the best state in the
nation for military and veterans by pursuing strategic initiatives to enhance
their quality of life. To learn more about the ‘Tri-Stars and Stripes’ Council
visit
https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2023/7/3/video--gov--lee-launches--tri-stars-and-stripes--council.html
and to o see the official video announcement, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yDJubHb8ho
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – AUGUST 4, 2023
----------------------------------------
Gov. Lee Announces Three Months of Grocery Tax Savings Starting August
1. Tennessee families to save on state and local grocery sales tax this August
through October.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – On Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee invited Tennessee families to
save during the state’s three-month grocery tax suspension, starting tomorrow,
August 1 through October 31. This year, Gov. Lee and the General Assembly
passed the Tennessee Works Tax Act, the single largest tax cut in Tennessee
history, which includes the three-month grocery tax suspension. During the tax
holiday, Tennesseans are expected to save an estimated $273 million in taxes
total. “In Tennessee, we cut taxes any chance we get because families should
keep more of their own hard-earned dollars. Starting Tuesday, we’re inviting
Tennesseans to take advantage of savings at the grocery store this August
through October,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank the General Assembly for partnering
to deliver three months of savings for Tennessee taxpayers.” The three-month
grocery tax holiday starting Tuesday, August 1 through Tuesday, October 31 will
give Tennesseans the opportunity to save up to 6.75 percent in state and local
option sales tax on food and food ingredients. Tennesseans can learn more about
the tax holiday here. “We’re proud to be able to offer three months of tax-free
groceries to help hardworking Tennesseans save money,” said Department of
Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano. “I thank the
Governor and General Assembly for their efforts to steward taxpayer dollars
responsibly and cut taxes for Tennessee families.”
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Gov. Lee Applauds Financial Stimulus Accountability Group
Actions. Highlights three years of fiscal responsibility, key
investments to support Tennessee’s economy.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Last Thursday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the conclusion of
the bipartisan Financial Stimulus Accountability Group (FSAG), highlighting the
group’s work to support Tennessee’s economy and ensure the responsible
stewardship of federal relief funds since April 2020, and launched the FSAG
Tennessee Resiliency Plan data dashboard. “Tennessee’s legacy of fiscal
responsibility has ensured that our state’s economy can thrive, even amid
significant challenges,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank the General Assembly and all
members of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for their efforts over
the past three years to manage federal dollars wisely, prioritize transparency
for Tennessee taxpayers and make strategic investments to strengthen businesses
and families across the state.” For three years, the group of executive and
legislative branch leaders met publicly and reported regularly to bring
transparency to the process. The Financial Stimulus Accountability Group
strategically dedicated funding to support Tennessee’s economy, business
recovery and workforce through the Tennessee Resiliency Plan, which allocated
American Rescue Plan funds ahead of the December 2024 deadline, and the CARES
Act. The group will monitor the impact of allocated funds as needed. Notable
Tennessee Resiliency Plan investments include more than $1.3 billion for water
and sewer infrastructure projects across the state; $500 million to support
broadband infrastructure, providing connectivity to Tennesseans across 150,000
households and businesses; $500 million invested in local public health and
medical system supports, including the Healthcare Resiliency Program; more than
$150 million to support the agriculture and forestry supply chain and related
research and $102 million for K-12 summer learning camps to address learning
loss marked by time spent outside of the classroom. Notable CARES Act
investments include proactively investing in the state’s unemployment trust
fund, successfully protecting jobs and preventing an estimated $837 million in
tax hikes; more than $325 million in small business grants, including the Small
Business Relief Program and the Supplemental Employer Relief Grant (SERG)
program, which included grants for small, minority-owned and veteran-owned
businesses; the development and launch of the Virtual American Jobs Center,
through the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, to
connect Tennesseans to free career counseling and employment assistance and $55
million in agriculture and forestry business grants to ensure the stability of
the food supply chain and agribusiness economy. For a complete list of
investments, visit the Tennessee Resiliency Plan dashboard and the CARES Act
dashboard at https://www.tn.gov/finance/looking-for/stimulus-financial-accountability-group/cares-act-awards-.html
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Legislative members of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group
voiced strong support for the group’s actions to benefit Tennessee families and
businesses over the past three years
"I am
grateful for the excellent work of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group.
Every member took great care to make sure each dollar was spent wisely and
appropriately,” said Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge). “Through
outstanding fiscal stewardship, the group protected our businesses, bolstered
our non-profit sector and kept our economy moving. The
investments made with these dollars will pay great dividends in the future. My
sincere thanks go to Governor Lee and each and every member of the group."
“Tennessee is known for fiscal responsibility,” said Speaker Cameron Sexton
(R-Crossville). “Through strategic investments in agriculture, education,
health care, infrastructure, small businesses, and other areas, we were able to
address the immediate, emerging, and long-term needs of Tennesseans. I
appreciate Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. McNally, Chairlady Hazlewood, Chairman Watson,
and our members for their dedicated partnership; together, we have strengthened
Tennessee’s future, ensuring we will always lead.” “Over the last three years,
the FSAG has made important, fiscally conservative investments to alleviate the
strain on small businesses, improve state and local infrastructure and reduce
the stress on the healthcare system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said
Chairman Bo Watson (R-Hixson). “We worked hard to prioritize transparency and
accountability with every investment, while strengthening Tennessee’s economy
and expanding citizens’ access to quality health care. I’m particularly proud of
our investment in the state’s unemployment trust fund, which ensured Tennessee
small business were not burdened by unemployment rate increases, unlike in many
other states. The work done in this group will certainly have positive impacts
for many years to come and I was honored to be a part of it.” “The Financial
Stimulus Accountability Group has focused on providing critical resources to
all Tennesseans both responsibly and effectively, and together, we’ve
accomplished this goal while addressing the unique challenges our state has
faced,” said Chairlady Patsy Hazlewood (R-Signal Mountain). “Our targeted
approaches have ensured hospitals and health facilities can continue serving
their communities. The educational resources we’ve provided parents, teachers,
and schools will set our children up for future success, and we have continued
to effectively address the infrastructure demands of our growing state. The
Financial Stimulus Accountability Group has played a critical role in ensuring
that these dollars were used to not only deal with a crisis but also to
position Tennessee to meet the future needs of its citizens by investing in
projects with long-term benefits. Our work maintains Tennessee’s status as a
leader in fiscal responsibility, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have
served.”
----------------------------------------
Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter Announce up to $185 Million in
Grants to Expand Broadband Access in Tennessee. TNECD to introduce two new
programs aimed at expanding internet access across the state and grants to
enhance service in most underserved and unserved communities.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community
Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced today the
department will offer up to $185 million in grants to expand internet access in
Tennessee. Starting in September 2023, TNECD will provide grants allocated
through the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group to expand broadband access
in Tennessee’s underserved and unserved areas through two programs: TNECD Last
Mile and Middle Mile Grants. “As Tennessee continues to experience record
economic growth and job creation, we’re committed to furthering our
administration-wide mission to expand opportunity in rural and underserved
communities across our state,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “What happens in rural Tennessee
matters to all Tennesseans, and I thank the General Assembly and the Financial
Stimulus Accountability Group for partnering with us to expand broadband
infrastructure and provide critical resources to Tennesseans across our state.”
The Last Mile Grant Program will offer up to $60 million to internet service
providers across unserved and underserved areas in Hardin, Wayne, and Polk
counties. These communities lack broadband at speeds of 100/20 Megabits per
second (Mbps) and were selected due to their percentage of unserved and
underserved residential locations compared to other counties in the state. The
Middle Mile Grant Program will offer up to $125 million to internet service
providers in all other counties in Tennessee that lack internet at speeds of 100/20
Mbps. Each middle mile grant must have a last mile component and provide new
and/or improved service in unserved or underserved areas. “Today marks another
milestone for rural Tennessee as we unveil two programs that will help more
Tennessee communities achieve economic growth and prosperity,” said
Commissioner McWhorter. “The Last Mile and Middle Mile Grant Programs allow
TNECD to provide enhanced support to some of our state’s most rural regions,
and we encourage all our local partners to take part in this latest round of
broadband funding.” Grant applications will open for both programs on September
4, 2023, and close on October 16, 2023. TNECD anticipates making these grant
announcements by early 2024. Prior to the grant application window, internet
service providers will have the opportunity to challenge the state’s
eligibility maps to ensure that served and unserved areas are accurately
represented. The challenge process will begin July 24, 2023, and close on
August 11, 2023. According to the 2020 Broadband Deployment Report published by
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), one in six rural Tennesseans lacks
access to broadband, and since 2018, TNECD has awarded nearly $566.6 million in
broadband grants through state and federal funding to serve more than 660,000
Tennesseans across 260,000 residential locations. To learn more about
Tennessee’s broadband initiatives and review program guidelines, please visit http://tn.gov/broadband
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – AUGUST 11, 2023
----------------------------------------
Gov. Lee Issues Official Call, Presents Legislative Priorities Ahead
of Public Safety Special Session.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. - On Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued the special session
proclamation and presented the administration’s legislative and budget
priorities that will go before the Tennessee General Assembly during the
special session on public safety, convening August 21. “As our nation faces
evolving public safety threats, Tennessee remains vigilant and is taking
continued action to protect communities while preserving the constitutional
rights of law-abiding citizens,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “In the months leading up
to the public safety special session, we have listened to Tennesseans and
worked with members of the General Assembly to identify thoughtful, practical
measures to strengthen public safety across our state, including steps to
support law enforcement, address mental health, prevent violent crime and stop human trafficking. I thank the General
Assembly for its continued partnership and look forward to achieving meaningful
results for Tennesseans.” Gov. Lee will present legislative and budget
priorities during the public safety special session to keep Tennessee
communities safe, support law enforcement and address mental health, all while
preserving constitutional rights. In addition to bringing the following
solutions in the administration package, the Governor will continue to work
with members of the General Assembly on other legislation specified in the
call. Codification of EO 100 and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Report
Implementation: Requires reporting of accurate, complete
and timely records from court clerks to the TBI within 72-hours and requires
electronic submissions of dispositions and expungements to the TBI. TennCare Mental Health Coverage Waiver: Directs TennCare to seek a waiver from the federal government to
allow federal matching funds for Medicaid to cover services for mental illness
and substance use disorders at institutions of mental diseases. Addressing
Mental Health Workforce Challenges: Budget initiatives that prioritize
opportunities to grow and retain mental health professionals in the state.
Reforms for Mental Health: Expands access to mental health treatment by
eliminating certain collaborative practice requirements for Advanced Registered
Practice Nurses with psychiatric training. Strengthening the Identification of
Individuals Arrested for Felonies: Provides for the collection of DNA at the time of an arrest for all felonies. Human
Trafficking Report: Resolution directing TBI to report on the state of human
trafficking in Tennessee. Promoting Safe Storage: Eliminates taxes on firearm
safes and safety devices, provides free gun locks, expands safe storage
training in state-approved safety courses, and creates a public service
announcement to promote safe storage. To date, more than 20,000 Tennesseans
have submitted public comments on strengthening public safety, and the form
will remain open through the entirety of the special session to ensure that
Tennesseans can continue engaging in the conversation. The full special session
proclamation can be viewed at https://sos.tn.gov/publications/services/governors-proclamations
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 1, 2023
----------------------------------------
Lawmakers approve $111 million for mental health,
public safety. Republicans permanently remove tax from gun safes and storage
devices.
The
House of Representatives concluded the 66th Extraordinary Session of the
General Assembly on Tuesday, approving a $111 million budget appropriation to
incentivize the safe storage of firearms, support public safety and increase
access to mental health care. Prior to the special session called by Gov. Bill
Lee, House Republicans worked through the summer to identify several practical
solutions to support law enforcement and public safety, decrease juvenile
crime, and help vulnerable citizens in crisis. House members filed more than
114 pieces of legislation dealing with the scope of the governor’s call prior
to the special session. House Republicans worked diligently through the
eight-day session, meeting with constituents, debating legislation and
considering testimony from citizens on various issues. House Republicans
successfully defeated a proposed red flag bill up for consideration in the
House Civil Justice Subcommittee. In all, the House chamber approved 20 bills,
all of which preserved the civil liberties of law-abiding Tennesseans. This
work builds on Republicans’ continued efforts to lead the nation in public
safety. Earlier this year, Republicans strengthened school security by
including $232 million in the budget to provide a school resource officer (SRO)
at every Tennessee public school, boost physical security at public and private
schools, and provide additional mental health resources for Tennesseans. Since
2018, the General Assembly has invested approximately $750 million in safer
schools. Only three bills, along with a budget amendment for $111 million,
passed in both chambers and now head to the governor’s desk for his signature.
The appropriations bill approved by the full General Assembly will
significantly bolster safety at Tennessee’s institutes of higher education by
providing $30 million for safety grants. It will provide an additional $10
million for school safety grants to cover public charter schools within local
school districts that do not have a full-time SRO for the upcoming school year.
To support mental health, lawmakers approved $50 million to fund provider
reimbursement bonuses for mental health services. It provides another $4
million for additional health care services to people who are uninsured and not
eligible for TennCare. To encourage more highly
effective individuals to enter the mental health care field, more than $12
million will be directed toward the recruitment and retention of current and
prospective mental health care professionals in Tennessee. Lawmakers also allocated
an additional $3 million to a Public Behavioral Health Scholarship Program.
This scholarship will provide tuition stipends to Tennessee residents pursuing
a degree in a behavioral health-related field. House Republican leaders on
Tuesday said while they weren’t in agreement with the Senate on all bills, the
General Assembly made progress by taking immediate steps that will provide
funding for mental health resources and safety. “We didn’t get everything we
wanted to, but we are going to work every day now until the start of our
regular session to try to make Tennessee a safer place to live,” said House
Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland. Only three of those bills, along
with a budget amendment for $111 million passed in both chambers and now head
to the governor’s desk for his signature. Appropriations include: $50 million
to mental health care provider bonuses; $30 million for higher education safety
grants; $10 million to the Tennessee Department of Education for the purpose of
offering school safety grants; $12.1 million for current and prospective mental
health professionals’ recruitment and retention; $3 million to a Public
Behavioral Health Scholarship Program; $4 million for the Behavioral Safety Net
Program to be used for mental health services; $1.6 million reduction in sales
tax from permanent elimination of tax on gun safety devices; $1.1 million to
promote safe storage of firearms. Legislation increases firearm safety through
tax cuts, expands free gun lock program. The Tennessee General Assembly
approved legislation encouraging the safe storage of firearms by permanently
removing taxes on safes and locking devices beginning Nov. 1. House Bill 7012,
co-sponsored by State Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, also expands and streamlines
a state program that provides free gun safety devices to the public. “As adults
and responsible citizens, when we have something in our homes such as a firearm we [must] do everything we can to make sure that it
is stored safely,” White said. “If you have a gun, lock it up when it’s not in
your possession.” Additionally, the legislation requires all state-approved
handgun safety courses to include instruction regarding safe storage. It will
also create a robust public service announcement campaign aimed at keeping
firearms out of the hands of minors and criminals. A recent Tennessee
Department of Health report found that 5 percent of child firearm deaths in
2021 were accidental while 24 percent were suicides. House Bill 7012 will now
head to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk to be signed into law. TBI to report human
trafficking crimes, trends annually. Republicans continue to fight against
child and human trafficking in Tennessee. Lawmakers approved House Bill 7041
which requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to publish an annual
report on child and human trafficking crimes and trends in Tennessee. The
report must be submitted to the governor and the speakers of the House and
Senate by Dec. 1 of each year beginning in 2023. “We have not done a report
like this in about a decade. It is time that we do so,” said bill sponsor and
House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland. “One of the first steps
that we can do [to combat human trafficking] is to make sure that we have a
report indicating exactly the scope of the problem in Tennessee and where we
can focus on it.” The U.S. Department of State estimates that there are 27.6
million victims of human trafficking worldwide. According to the TBI, it is the
second-fastest growing criminal industry just behind drug trafficking. In
recent years, state lawmakers have increased the punishment for multiple crimes
related to human trafficking, ensured those convicted of sex trafficking are
ineligible for early parole or release, and allowed individuals to use deadly
force in self-defense when threatened with “grave sexual abuse” like rape.
Legislation was also passed earlier this year to allow victims of human
trafficking to be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Criminal
Injuries Compensation Fund for personal injury or loss incurred as a result of
the crime. Efforts to improve responses and support services available to
victims are also underway. Last year, Tennessee was ranked by Shared Hope
International as the top state in the nation for its efforts to address and prevent
the sex trafficking of children and youth. Anyone who suspects an individual
may be a victim of human trafficking should call the Tennessee Human
Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH (86484). According to the TBI, the
hotline received 1,291 tips statewide last year – a 5 percent increase from
2021 and 183 percent more than in 2018. Information and resources about human
trafficking in Tennessee can be found online at ItHasToStop.com.
----------------------------------------
Bill streamlines background check information.
Background
check information will be updated more quickly and efficiently in Tennessee
with passage of House Bill 7013. This legislation now requires criminal history
and court-related mental health information to be reported by court clerks to
the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or entered into the Tennessee Instant
Check System within 72 hours. The information is currently required to be
reported within 30 days. “This coincides with the governor’s Executive Order
100, which was put in place back in [April]” said bill co-sponsor State Rep.
Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville. “This will expedite communication between our
courts and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in regards
to background checks and things like that.” By requiring electronic
submission of the information, House Bill 7013 will ensure the notification
process is uniform and delays are eliminated. The legislation will now head to
Gov. Bill Lee’s desk to be signed into law.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
----------------------------------------
Gov. Bill Lee, First Lady Maria Lee Celebrate Participants of Kids
Service Challenge at Tennessee Residence
NASHVILLE,
Tenn.—Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee hosted a
carnival at the Tennessee Residence to celebrate more than 200 kids from across
the state who completed the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge. The First
Lady launched the summer service challenge in 2019 through her initiative
Tennessee Serves to encourage rising kindergarten through sixth grade students
to devote a portion of their summers to serving their neighbors. This year,
more than 1,125 children across the state participated, serving a
record-breaking number of 3,310 hours in their communities. “Each year, Bill
and I are touched by the creative acts of kindness
kids across Tennessee complete in service to their communities,” said First
Lady Maria Lee. “No matter our age, we all can make a difference in the lives
of those around us. We’re confident these young Tennesseans will continue to
transform our state through service and will make immeasurable impacts on those
around them for years to come.” During the event, the Governor and First Lady
met with the participants and their families, congratulating them on their
success over the summer and encouraging them to continue serving others
throughout the year. The carnival also featured games, prizes, snacks and special appearances from local sports teams’
mascots.
----------------------------------------
TNECD Announces Lenders for Fund Tennessee’s LendTN
Program
Five
lenders to provide equitable access to capital across Tennessee. Nearly $47
million allocated through the Fund Tennessee program
for small businesses and entrepreneurs. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee
Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced today five
new lenders to participate in LendTN, a Fund
Tennessee program announced in February 2023. Nearly $47 million has been
allocated through the Fund Tennessee program and will provide equitable access
to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs across Tennessee.
“Tennessee’s small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy, and I am
excited that through LendTN we can better support
them so that they have the opportunity to grow and expand,” said TNECD
Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “Thank you to these five lenders for stepping
up to financially support the entrepreneurs and small business owners across
our state.” These lenders will make LendTN dollars
accessible statewide, giving small business owners and entrepreneurs,
especially those in underserved communities, more tools to start and expand.
The lenders participating in LendTN: Communities
Unlimited, Pathway Lending, River City Capital, Tennessee Rural Development
Fund,
Three Roots
Capital. Small business owners and entrepreneurs who are interested in becoming
potential borrowers should go to FundTennessee.org to learn more. Each lender
is currently accepting applications and working with interested applicants to
expand access to capital. Loan types, amounts of loans and rates will vary from
lender to lender depending on borrower needs. In general, loans may include
startup funds, working capital or equipment purchases and will range from
microloans to loans up to $5 million. In early 2023, eligible lenders completed
an Intent to Participate process with TNECD. The program was open to available
non-depository Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI) and Minority
Depository Institutions (MDI) that serve Tennessee. CDFIs are mission-driven
financial institutions that provide credit and financial services to
underserved markets and populations who have been certified by the U.S.
Department of Treasury. To learn more about CDFIs visit here. To learn more,
visit FundTennessee.org or the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI
2.0) visit https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/small-business-programs/state-small-business-credit-initiative-ssbci .
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
----------------------------------------
Governor Bill Lee Calls For Border Security
America
is facing a national security crisis, & Tennessee has not escaped it. Last
week, Gov. Lee joined fellow Republican governors in calling on the federal
government to secure the Southern border & restore public safety. In the
meantime, Tennessee will continue to step up by investing in law enforcement to
keep communities safe & stop trafficking at the source. Read more at https://www.rga.org/25-republican-governors-send-letter-president-biden-impact-border-crisis .
----------------------------------------
Governor Bill Lee Announces Judicial Appointments
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced three key judicial
appointments for newly created state courts. “I am proud to announce the
appointment of these highly qualified individuals and value the significant
experience they will bring to their respective roles,” said Gov. Lee. “I appreciate
their leadership and am confident they will serve Tennesseans with integrity.”
The following Tennesseans have been appointed: Shawn Fry – 13th Judicial
District Criminal Court, Ashleigh Travis – 19th Judicial District Circuit
Court, Julie Heffington – 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court. Shawn Fry
currently serves as an attorney at Fry, Fry, Knight & Looper. Fry earned
his bachelor’s degree at Tennessee Technological University and juris doctor at
Nashville School of Law. The 13th Judicial District covers Clay, Cumberland,
Dekalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White counties.
Ashleigh Travis currently serves as a magistrate judge in the 19th Judicial
District. Travis earned her bachelor’s degree at Austin Peay State University
and juris doctor at Nashville School of Law. The 19th
Judicial District covers Montgomery and Robertson counties. Julie Heffington
currently serves as at
attorney at Middle Tennessee Law Group. Heffington earned her bachelor’s degree
at Middle Tennessee State University and juris doctor
at Nashville School of Law. The 22nd Judicial District covers Giles, Lawrence, Maury and Wayne counties.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – NOVEMBER 13, 2023
----------------------------------------
Tennessee Announces Process to Request Replacement of SNAP and D-SNAP
Benefits
NASHVILLE,
TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) today announced that the
department will begin accepting requests for replacement of Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits stolen
from households impacted by EBT card skimming, cloning, and similar fraud
between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024. The
review period will open on November 6, 2023 and close
on September 30, 2024. Starting November 6, 2023, TDHS will accept and process
households’ replacement requests within the One DHS Customer Portal at
OneDHS.tn.gov. Customers that cannot access the online portal to submit a
request can retrieve a paper form at their local TDHS office. For skimming
incidents occurring between October 1, 2022 – November 5, 2023, reports must be
submitted by February 5, 2024 to be considered. For
skimming incidents occurring between November 6, 2023 - September 30, 2024,
reports must be submitted within 30 days of the date the customer discovered
the fraud. Only the following types of fraud are eligible for replacement: Card
skimming (when devices illegally installed on ATMs or point-of-sale [POS]
terminals capture card data or record households’ PINs). Card cloning (when
data captured by skimming are used to create fake EBT cards and then steal from households’ accounts). Other similar fraudulent
methods (including but not limited to scamming through fraudulent phone calls
or text messages that mimic official TDHS messaging and phishing). All reports
of skimming, cloning, or similar fraud will require confirmation from the
customer verifying that all information reported in the request is true and
correct. Customers who purposefully give false information may be prosecuted
under applicable state and federal criminal laws. Customers may be contacted to
provide further validation of their request. Replacement requests may be denied
in some cases in which there is insufficient evidence to support the request or
the customer’s request for replacement is outside the allowed scope, including:
No transaction(s) exist. Transaction(s) occur prior to
10/1/2022 or after 9/30/2024. Transactions did not involve SNAP or D-SNAP
benefits (P-EBT benefits are not eligible for replacement). Household already
received two replacement issuances for stolen benefits within the federal
fiscal year. Request not submitted timely. Only fraudulent transactions related
to skimming, cloning or similar fraud (text and phone schemes) can be submitted
through this process. Customers can track their fraud replacement request
status through their One DHS Customer Portal account, where they will also
receive notification of the request outcome. The Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
nutritional assistance initiative administered at the state level. In
Tennessee, SNAP is managed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services
(TDHS). SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded. The ability to reimburse SNAP
benefits related to fraudulent activity is made possible by the federal
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. For more information on replacement
benefits related to fraud, please visit https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/need-help-/tdhs-fraud.html . To report fraud,
call the Office of Inspector General fraud hotline at 800-241-2629. More
information can be found at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/stolen-benefits
----------------------------------------
Gladeville Elementary School
Hosts First Responders Event
Rep. Lynn
was honored to participate in Gladeville Elementary
School's Neighborhood Heroes K-2nd Grade event. The students and their families
enjoyed a night of learning about her role as a state representative and the
roles of different state departments.
----------------------------------------
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – NOVEMBER 22, 2023
----------------------------------------
Community Leaders Join New Local Board to Encourage Availability of
Mental Health Support, Education, and Advocacy
November
14, 2023 (Hendersonville, Tenn.) NAMI Sumner and Wilson Counties, the
community’s revitalized NAMI Affiliate and largest grassroots mental health
organization, announced the addition of eight new members to its Board of
Directors: Jim Briggs, Laura Tadesco, Daniel Gilbert, Brenda Kulhanek, Beth
Baxter, Nancy Corley, Judge Kee Bryant McCormick, and Jinny Glasco. These
individuals began serving in November. Each of these new Board members offers a
unique perspective and a true drive to improve the lives of individuals,
families, and friends of those in our communities who struggle with mental
health conditions. “I am proud to welcome these seven incredible leaders as new
colleagues on the NAMI Sumner and Wilson Counties Board,” said Jim Briggs, Board
Chair. “These leaders will add tremendous value to the organization with their
various perspectives and expertise as we build a new, expanded affiliate to
serve the people in our two counties.” As the NAMI Sumner and Wilson Counties
Board prepares to guide and serve the organization, its staff is preparing to
expand access to free and essential peer-led support, education, advocacy, and
awareness offerings and support existing volunteers while onboarding new
champions. “We know that 1 in 5 of us are affected by a mental health condition
each year, and that many of our youth are facing an even greater crisis.
Through the power of community and the wisdom of those with shared experience,
NAMI’s peer-led programs and services can be a powerful foundation in the
journey to mental wellness, offering a sense of belonging and the assurance
that none of us is alone,” said NAMI Sumner and Wilson Counties Executive
Director, Katrina Gay. “As we work to expand and enhance our affiliate to serve
our community, I look forward to the benefit the expertise of these individuals
will offer our community.” Jim Briggs, Retired Occupational Therapist –
Founder, Jim Briggs Consulting LLC. With extensive experience in an array of
industries, Jim actively collaborates on strategic planning, budgeting,
training, and consulting to help minimize workplace injuries. He has traveled
globally and domestically, presenting and publishing articles on employee
selection, injury reduction, and employment testing. With a background in law
enforcement, healthcare management, and therapy, he also serves on the NAMI
Tennessee state board of directors. Jim lives in Lebanon and is serving as
President of NAMI Sumner and Wilson Counties. Laura Tedesco, MSSW, LCSW—SVP,
Crisis Services and Clinical Director, Volunteer Behavioral Health Care
Systems. An experienced professional with more than two decades of experience
in the field of crisis services and clinical management, Laura oversees the
Mental Health Crisis Continuum for 29 counties in Tennessee. Her
responsibilities include supervising Crisis Walk-in Centers and Crisis
Stabilization Units in Cookeville and Chattanooga, managing the Crisis Call
Center and 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, and coordinating programs such as
Pre-arrest Diversion, Co-response Program, and Mobile Crisis Response Teams.
Laura lives in Mt. Juliet and is serving as Vice President. Daniel Gilbert –
SVP, Primerica. As a financial representative, Daniel is dedicated to helping
his neighbors in Mount Juliet and nearby communities achieve their financial
and life goals. With personalized investment strategies, he aims to bring value
and peace of mind to his clients. He takes pride in delivering excellent
customer service and treats each person with the respect
and integrity. Daniel lives in Lebanon and is serving as Treasurer. Brenda
Kulhanek, Ph.D., DNP – Nurse Educator. With over 20 years in the field, Brenda
has taught at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and other universities
and has a strong background in graduate-level education. In addition to her
academic work, Brenda has held notable positions in the healthcare industry,
including Division VP of Clinical Education for TriStar Health and AVP of
Clinical Education at HCA. Passionate about mental health, Brenda has personal
experiences that have driven her commitment to helping those affected by mental
health issues. Brenda lives in Mt. Juliet and is serving as Secretary. Beth
Baxter, M.D. – Psychiatrist, Babb Center and Private
Practice. A graduate of Vanderbilt University Medical School, Beth is
passionate about her profession and service to others. She openly shares her
experiences as both a mental health care provider and peer. Since 1996, she has
captivated audiences at academic, advocacy, and faith-based conferences and has
also received the prestigious Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from NAMI National.
Committed to making a difference, Dr. Baxter continues to actively participate
in various local and national organizations dedicated to advancing education,
treatment, and advocacy for those affected by mental illness. Nancy Krider
Corley, J.D. – Corley, Henard, Lyle, Levy, Langford PLC. In addition to being a
firm partner, Nancy is a Charter Member of LAW, TLAW, and CABLE. She is a
fellow of the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations. In 2019, Nancy was the
Athena Recipient and awarded the Ralph Hanning Lifetime Community Service
Award. She has also been awarded the Nashville School of Law Outstanding
Faculty Award, Sumner County Commissioner of the Year, and Outstanding Young
Women of America award. Nancy serves on numerous boards of organizations,
including the Salvus Center, and is a member of many
organizations, including serving on the Advisory Board of TLAP and Grace Place
Alliance. Nancy resides in Hendersonville. Jinny Glasco, LCSW – Mental Health
Care Counselor, Matters of the Heart. With over twenty years of counseling
experience, including work with youth in our public school system, Jinny
provides professional mental healthcare services in Hendersonville and Goodlettsville.
With her compassion for others who are hurting and her empathetic skills, she
walks alongside clients through crisis, change, or loss. Her therapeutic
approach is client-centered, and she strives to meet people where they truly
are. She is an active member of the nondenominational Community Church in
Hendersonville. In her personal and professional journey, she believes the
therapeutic process is much like the Maya Angelou quote, “Do the best you can
until you know better, then when you know better, do better.” Jinny lives in
Hendersonville. The Honorable Kee Bryant McCormick – General Sessions and
Mental Health Court Judge for Division III in Gallatin, Tennessee. With a
dedication to justice and a wealth of experience in civil and criminal law, Judge
McCormick is not only a respected legal professional but also a beloved
community leader. With over 15 years of private law practice under her belt,
she has proven herself as a true servant leader. She is a loving mother,
devoted wife, and a trusted friend to those who know her. What truly sets Judge
McCormick apart is her unwavering commitment to mental health. As the Mental
Health Court Judge in Sumner County and as a tireless advocate, she
passionately speaks about the importance of supporting recovery and resiliency
for those struggling with mental health conditions. Judge McCormick lives in
Gallatin.
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Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan Receives FEMA Approval
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. –The state of Tennessee has taken a significant step towards safeguarding
its communities and citizens from future disasters, as the update to the 2023
Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan has received formal approval from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on October 3, 2023, and is effective
until October 2028. The Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed
through a collaborative effort involving the State Hazard Mitigation Planning
Committee, representing a cross-section of stakeholders that supported the
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) in developing this update, in
addition to East Tennessee State University. “The Tennessee State Hazard
Mitigation Plan is a crucial tool in our efforts to protect our communities and
strengthen our state’s resilience,” said TEMA Planning Branch Administrator
Trip Voss. “It is always a significant achievement to have a plan like this
approved, and it reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”
The adoption of the Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan illustrates the
state’s commitment to making continuing improvements to the state’s mitigation
strategy and program to best protect its people and assets from known natural,
technological, and human-caused hazards that the state is exposed to.
Reiterating this point, Kim Anthony, TEMA Regional Planning Manager, says, “We
want our citizens to understand that this approval is more than a plan; it’s an
actionable pathway towards a more resilient Tennessee.” FEMA requires states to
have an approved hazard mitigation plan to remain eligible for various federal
assistance and mitigation grants. The updated plan can be found on the TEMA
planning library website.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – DECEMBER 1, 2023
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Federal Disaster Declaration Granted to Tennessee Counties Recovering
from Severe Weather
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced approval of his request for an
Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, making recovery assistance available to
four counties impacted by tornadoes and severe storms on December 9, 2023. “State
and local officials, first responders and volunteers continue to provide
critical support to impacted Tennessee communities following significant storm
damage,” said Gov. Lee. “As Tennessee rebuilds, I thank our federal partners
for granting resources to further our severe weather response and recovery
across the state.” The Tennessee counties named in the Expedited Major Disaster
Declaration are Dickson, Davidson, Montgomery and
Sumner. The disaster declaration includes FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA)
Program, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and Direct Federal Assistance.
“With the
approval of this declaration, we are able to meet survivors’ immediate needs in
those most widely impacted communities,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan.
“We will continue working to make sure Tennesseans have the resources needed
for a swift recovery.” Gov. Lee and TEMA Director Sheehan also shared guidance
and resources that are available to Tennesseans in impacted areas:
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FEMA Individual Assistance Program
Individuals
in the declared counties can apply now for direct
assistance through FEMA’s IA program online anytime or by phone at
1-800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT. Multilingual operators are
available. Those eligible for FEMA’s IA program may receive help with rental
assistance, home repair and personal property replacement, in addition to other
uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. Tennessee experienced seven
confirmed tornadoes and severe weather on December 9. This weather event
claimed six lives and left significant damage across West and Middle Tennessee.
Resources and updates for survivors can be found on the Tennessee Emergency
Management Agency website. More information on FEMA’s IA program can be found at
https://tn.gov/tema.html .
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Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter Announce NewBasis,
LLC to Establish Manufacturing Operations in Wilson County
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community
Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and NewBasis,
LLC officials announced today the company will invest $16.3 million to
establish its first operations in Tennessee. Through the project, NewBasis will create 249 new jobs in Wilson County. Located
in the Alligood Industrial Park, NewBasis’ Lebanon
facility will be the company’s first location outside of its headquarters in
California and will directly support its increased customer demand across the
East Coast. Founded more than 80 years ago, NewBasis,
LLC is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass and polymer concrete below-ground
enclosures and utility pads. Today, NewBasis serves a
variety of utility, municipality and telecom
customers. Since 2019, TNECD has supported nearly 20 economic development
projects in Wilson County, resulting in approximately 6,200 job commitments and
$1.3 billion in capital investment. “Companies continue to choose Tennessee
because of our exceptional workforce and strong business climate. I welcome NewBasis to the Volunteer State and thank them for creating
nearly 250 highly skilled jobs for families across Wilson County.” – Gov. Bill
Lee “With more than 2,600 manufacturing
businesses across the state, this industry is one of Tennessee’s strongest
sectors. Lebanon and Wilson County have the right workforce and infrastructure
to support these 250 new jobs, and we are excited to see the success that
follow today’s announcement.” – TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter
“NewBasis is all about providing unparalleled service and
best-in-class products to our customers. After an exhaustive search, we found
the State of Tennessee to be the ideal partner for our new state-of-the-art
facility as we look to better serve our central and southeastern U.S. markets.
With access to the vibrant workforce in and around Wilson County, Tennessee’s
business-friendly environment and the area’s unsurpassed logistics network, we
couldn’t be more excited about our future.” – NewBasis,
LLC President Tony Helf.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – DECEMBER 15, 2023
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Gov. Lee, Legislative Leadership Call for Statewide School Choice,
Unveil Education Freedom Scholarship Act
“Tennessee parents should have the freedom to choose the right
education for their child.” ~ Governor Bill Lee
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee presented the Education Freedom
Scholarship Act of 2024, his administration’s legislative proposal to establish
statewide universal school choice, alongside members of the General Assembly,
Tennessee families and education stakeholders. This legislation aims to provide
every Tennessee parent with the opportunity to choose the right education for
their child, while prioritizing families with the greatest need. View the
Education Freedom launch event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D3esdgoDu8
“A
high-quality education has the power to change the trajectory of a child’s
life, and there’s no question that now is the time to make school choice a
reality for every Tennessee family,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “Tennessee’s Education
Freedom Scholarships will empower parents with the freedom to choose the right
education for their child, while also giving them a say in how their taxpayer
dollars are invested. In the coming months, I look forward to working with
Tennessee families and members of the General Assembly to accomplish this
historic legislative initiative and establish Tennessee as a leader in
providing choice for families while also striving toward the best public school
system in the country.” "Working to expand the educational choices parents
and students have available to them is always a worthy goal,” said Lt. Gov.
Randy McNally. “I am grateful Governor Lee has brought forth this proposal and
I look forward to working with him, Speaker Sexton and all members of the
General Assembly in pursuit of that goal."
“We all
agree that every child should have an opportunity for a quality education that
meets their needs, and I strongly believe the ultimate decision should be made
by parents, not government bureaucrats,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton.
“This scholarship opportunity is funded outside the current K-12 funding model,
TISA, which means dollars do not follow students. We all know a quality
education changes one’s life and reduces poverty and crime within communities.
In the future in Tennessee, students and parents will be in control of their
education success, without the government limiting their opportunities.”
“Across the state, parents should be empowered to make the best education
decisions for their children by having input over where their taxpayer dollars
are spent,” said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson. “Students should not be
boxed in to attending a school that doesn’t fit their needs. I am grateful to
Governor Lee for proposing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act to give
Tennessee parents the ability to make a fundamental choice: where their child
goes to school. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General
Assembly and Governor Lee and his team to pass this legislation."
“Tennessee
is serious about student achievement,” said House Majority Leader William
Lamberth. “This is a bold idea that will empower families and change lives.
This initiative, combined with our historic investments in public education,
will launch a new era of student success in Tennessee.” The Education Freedom
Scholarship Act will empower Tennessee parents with the freedom to choose the
right school for their child and give families a choice where their taxpayer
dollars are spent. Tennessee residents entitled to attend K-12 at a public
school, including homeschoolers enrolled in umbrella or church-related schools,
will be eligible for the program. The bill is structured to prioritize
eligibility for the most at-risk students before ramping up to universal
eligibility. 2024-25 school year: A total of 20,000 scholarships will be
awarded on a rolling first-come, first-served basis. 10,000 scholarships
available for Tennessee students who are at or below 300% of the federal
poverty level, have a disability, or are eligible for the existing ESA pilot
program. 10,000 additional scholarships available to a
universal pool of students entitled to attend a public school. 2025-26 school
year and beyond: Universal eligibility for all students entitled to attend a
public school. If applications exceed available scholarships due to funding,
lower income, public-school and returning scholarship students will receive
priority. Since taking office in 2019, Governor Lee has been passionate about
expanding choices for parents regarding their child’s education, while also
making historic investments in Tennessee’s public schools, with an emphasis on
funding students, not systems. In 2022, the Lee administration worked in
partnership with the General Assembly to pass the Tennessee Investment in
Student Achievement (TISA) Act, transitioning Tennessee’s K-12 public schools
to a student-based funding approach and investing an estimated $9 billion into
education funding for the state, which included an additional recurring state investment
of $1 billion annually. In 2023, Gov. Lee signed Teacher
Paycheck Protection Act, a landmark bill giving teachers the largest pay raise
in state history. As a result, Tennessee is currently on track to become a top
ten state for starting teacher pay by 2026.
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First Lady Maria Lee Encourages Tennesseans to Give Back Through 12
Days of Giving Campaign
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. – First Lady Maria Lee is encouraging Tennesseans to give back this
holiday season by supporting various nonprofits from each Grand Division
through Tennessee’s 12 Days of Giving campaign.
The 12 Days
of Giving will feature a different nonprofit and a unique call to action each
day in an effort to connect those looking to give back this Christmas with
opportunities to serve alongside nonprofits from across the state. The campaign
will begin on Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2023, and continue through the
following 12 weekdays. “Tennessee is blessed to be home to thousands of
incredible nonprofits that work to address the needs of their communities, and
we’re forever grateful for their commitment to serving their fellow
Tennesseans,” said First Lady Maria Lee. “We hope Tennesseans looking to make
an impact on their communities this holiday season will join us in in serving
our neighbors by supporting our states nonprofit.”
The 12 Days
of Giving will highlight the following nonprofits:
Day One,
November 28: Creative Aging Memphis
Day Two, November 29: Birthright of Memphis
Day Three, November 30: Dismas House
Day Four, December 1: Caring for Covenant Fund
Day Five, December 4: Jonathan’s Path
Day Six, December 5: Hope Smiles
Day Seven, December 6: Cocke County Cradle to Career Coalition
Day Eight, December 7: Heartland Services
Day Nine, December 8: Cul2vate
Day Ten, December 11: Sevier County Food Ministries
Day Eleven, December 12: Gary Sinise Foundation
Day Twelve, December 13: The Jason Foundation
Examples of ways to serve the highlighted nonprofits include using your career, talents, or resources to serve neighbors with disabilities, joining a re-entry mentoring program, donating new and used items, or hosting a food or clothing drive. The campaign is part of the First Lady’s Tennessee Serves initiative which is designed to transform the state through service while highlighting nonprofits from across the state and mobilizing Tennesseans to get involved in their communities. For a complete list of ways to serve and additional information about the 12 Days of Giving, visit the Tennessee Serves website @ https://www.tn.gov/firstlady/tennessee-serves/12-days-of-giving-2022.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – JANUARY 12, 2024
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Tennessee General Assembly
Gavels in for 2024
(http://securenets1.com/TNAssembly-01122024.jpg) - The TN 113th
General Assembly reconvened in Nashville this week for the start of its
second legislative session. Republicans this year will continue focusing on
making strategic investments in education and public safety while also
strengthening the economy and cutting taxes. Among the top priorities for 2024
will be to approve a spending plan that addresses the needs of all Tennesseans.
After nearly a decade of unprecedented economic growth, lawmakers will have to
be even more conservative with their spending in 2024 as experts expect a $300
million shortfall in the budget. The State Funding Board estimated revenue
growth for the 2023 fiscal year to be at 7.7 percent, however, actual growth
was closer to 5.39 percent.
Despite lagging revenue
collections and record-high inflation, the Volunteer State remains in a strong
overall financial position with its economy continuing to outperform the
national average. Tennessee has a long tradition of being a well-managed
state with an incredibly low tax burden for residents. The General Assembly
in 2023 invested an additional $250 million into the state’s Rainy-Day Fund,
bringing it to more than $2 billion in total. This increases Tennessee’s
financial stability and will benefit the state in the event of an economic
downturn.
Supporting students and
educators will also continue to be a priority for the Republican supermajority
this session. Lawmakers have increased funding for K-12 education by $1.3
billion since fiscal year 2022-23, prioritized the individual needs of students
with passage of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act and
approved the largest pay increase for teachers in state history. Members of the
General Assembly this year will explore a proposal from Gov. Bill Lee that
would expand school choice statewide through the Education Freedom
Scholarship Act. This legislation would give families more control over how
their tax dollars are used for their child’s
education.
Improving public safety
and protecting communities from crime will be another key area of focus this
session. The General Assembly will consider measures to provide law enforcement
with additional tools to keep criminals off the streets along with proposals to
ensure offenders receive the appropriate sentences for their crimes. Last year,
lawmakers approved $232 million to enhance school safety in Tennessee and will
continue looking for additional ways to keep classrooms safe. Republicans will
also look for ways to provide additional mental health support for residents as
well as improve access to health care in rural communities along with other
legislative initiatives that address various needs statewide. Tennessee
continues to thrive under conservative leadership, and House Republicans seek
to build on that momentum in 2024.
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Bill Aims to close
Loophole for Defendants Found Incompetent to Stand Trial
(http://securenets1.com/MajorityLeaderWilliamLamberth.jpg) - As part of an
aggressive push to improve public safety in Tennessee, a Republican bill would close
a legal loophole for defendants found incompetent to stand trial. House
Bill 1640, sponsored by, would require criminal defendants deemed
incompetent to stand trial to be committed to an appropriate treatment
facility. Current state law does not provide this requirement.
“This closes a loophole
that puts the public’s safety at serious risk by allowing dangerous individuals
back into society to languish and re-offend without receiving the appropriate
mental health services and supervision they desperately need,” Lamberth said.
The legislation was
introduced following the murder of Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old Belmont
University freshman who was fatally shot while walking in a Nashville park on Nov. 7. Her killer, Shaquille Taylor, was
a repeat violent offender prosecuted in April 2023 for a separate crime of
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The case against Taylor was dismissed
after three court-appointed physicians testified he was incompetent to stand
trial and was released from custody. “This loss is an incomprehensible,
senseless tragedy that exposes a critical failure in our judicial and mental
health care systems,” Lamberth said. “I expect this legislation to close the
wide gap in current law so that law-abiding citizens are protected from
anything like this ever happening again in our state.” The legislation would
additionally require individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial to be
entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which
serves as a namecheck database of people prohibited from buying or owning
firearms.
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AI Protections for Music
Industry
(http://securenets1.com/AIProtectionAct.jpg) - Republicans unveiled
legislation to address the damaging impact artificial intelligence (AI) can
have on the music industry in Tennessee. Gov. Bill Lee announced the Ensuring
Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act this week, which will add
protections for songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals’
voice from the misuse of AI to Tennessee’s Protection of Personal Rights law.
Overall, the music industry supports more than 61,617 jobs across the state,
contributes $5.8 billion to Tennessee’s GDP and fills more than 4,500 music
venues.
“From Beale Street to
Broadway, to Bristol and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic
heritage that tells the story of our great state,” Gov. Lee said. “As the
technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, we’re proud to lead
the nation in proposing legal protection for our best-in-class artists and
songwriters.” While Tennessee’s existing law protects name, image
and likeness, it doesn’t specifically address new, personalized generative AI
cloning models and services that enable human impersonation and allow users to
make unauthorized fake works in the image and voice of others. Artists and
musicians at all levels are facing exploitation and the theft of their
integrity, identity, and humanity.
“Tennessee is home to a
remarkably diverse music community that is important not only to the culture of
our state, but its economy as well,” said House Majority Leader William
Lamberth, R-Portland. “As technology advances, we must ensure the
intellectual property of these incredibly talented artists, such as their
voice, is fully protected. I am incredibly proud to carry this legislation that
will benefit the performers who make our music industry so successful.” The
ELVIS Act would be the first legislation of its kind in the nation to build
upon existing state rule protecting against the unauthorized use of someone’s
likeness by adding “voice” to the realm it protects.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – JANUARY 26, 2024
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Republicans
propose penalties for abortion trafficking
(http://securenets1.com/TNAssembly-01262024.jpg) - House Republicans this week reaffirmed
their commitment to protecting the unborn by introducing legislation to
make abortion trafficking of a minor a Class C felony. House Bill 1895,
proposed by State Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, seeks to stop anyone
who attempts to circumvent the state’s current abortion law by helping to
facilitate an abortion for the minor without parental consent. If the bill
becomes law, it will become illegal for any adult to recruit, harbor, or
transport a pregnant, unemancipated minor for a criminal abortion, help a minor
obtain an abortion-inducing medication, or conceal an act resulting in a
criminal abortion.
“Tennessee
Republicans will never stop working to advance and uphold the pro-life and
pro-family values held by an overwhelming majority of people in this state. We
will continue our commitment to protect parents’ rights and defend the
defenseless,” Zachary said.
Republicans in the General Assembly in 2019 laid the groundwork to ensure life
is protected at conception in Tennessee should the U.S. Supreme Court ever
reverse its decision to legalize abortion. The General Assembly that year
passed the Human Life Protection Act, a conditional trigger law written
to go into effect 30 days following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe vs.
Wade. When the high court overturned its 1973 decision on June 24, 2022, the
Human Life Protection Act became law and automatically made abortion for any
reason a felony in Tennessee. House Bill 1895 is expected to begin moving
through committees in the coming weeks.
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Republicans
introduce Protecting Children from Social Media Act
(http://securenets1.com/ProtectingChildrenFromSocialMedia.jpg) - Republicans have introduced legislation to
restore parental authority on social media platforms by requiring online
companies to verify ages of account holders. The Protecting Children from
Social Media Act, filed by State Rep. Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin), in
partnership with Gov. Bill Lee’s administration, requires social media
companies to verify parental consent for minors who wish to become account
holders. It gives parents a high level of access to supervise their child’s
online interactions as well as the ability to revoke consent. “Social media has
hurt a generation of young people by exposing them to unhealthy content and
dangerous interactions with strangers online. They have become victims of
companies who have deliberately targeted them for profit through addictive
algorithms designed to maximize the amount of time kids use them,” McCalmon
said. “This bill applies meaningful safeguards to protect children but ensures
parents are the only decision-makers when it comes to who communicates with their
children online.”
House Bill 1891 would require social
media companies to provide privacy monitoring tools and control daily usage,
scheduled breaks, and parent notifications. It directs the Tennessee Attorney
General’s office, specifically the Division of Consumer Protection, to enforce
the law and handle complaints. The U.S. Surgeon General in 2023 released an
advisory warning to the public about the “profound risk of harm” social media
use has on young people. The advisory cites several studies and includes a
review of available evidence and further studies noting social media use is up
95 percent among minors ages 13-17, with more than a third saying they used
social media “almost constantly.” Although age 13 is commonly the required
minimum age used by social media platforms in the United States, nearly 40
percent of children ages 8–12 use social media. Similar legislation requiring
age verification on social media sites has passed in Arkansas, Louisiana,
Texas, and Utah.
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Tennessee
children living in poverty continues to decline
(http://securenets1.com/TNStateOfTheChild.jpg) - The number of Tennessee children living in
poverty has declined more than 8 percent over the last decade, according to the
Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth’s State of the Child 2023 report.
The commission reports 17.6 percent of Tennessee children were living below the
federal poverty level in 2022, compared to 25.8 percent in 2012. A family of
three earning less than $23,030 is considered to be living below the federal
poverty level, a metric of income used to determine eligibility for public
programs. The annual data book tracks the status of children by analyzing
state-level statistical indicators of child well-being using social,
educational, economic and health data.
“[This report] is
a compilation of existing data around how our children are doing in a variety
of areas,” Tennessee
Commission on Children and Youth Executive Director Richard Kennedy told
committee members during a presentation Wednesday. “With the report, it’s
really important for us to try to be as balanced as possible, so we are very
mindful that there are lot of things that we are doing very well as a state and
there are lots of opportunities that we have.”
Additional highlights from the
presentation include: 29% of Tennessee high school students in 2021 reported
their mental health was either most of the time or always not good within the
past month. 42% of Tennessee high school students in 2021 reported symptoms of
depression within the previous year – a 63% increase from 2011. The suicide
rate among Tennessee youth 13-18 increase from 7 per
100,000 to 9.4 per 100,000 between 2019 and 2021. 11th graders across all
measures had the highest rate of suicidal behaviors and were the most likely to
have asked for help. 1 in 10 households with children in Tennessee reported
having a child that needed mental health treatment in September 2023. There
were 511 social workers serving 975,545 students statewide in 2022-23. There
were 660 school psychologists employed by Tennessee districts in 2022-23. The
complete State of the Child in Tennessee 2023 report can be found at https://www.tn.gov/tccy/programs0/kc/kc-pubs-nav.html
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2, 2024
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Jillian's Law
Honors Slain Belmont Student
(http://securenets1.com/JillianLudwig.jpg) - An amendment naming a new law in honor of
Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old Belmont University freshman who was fatally shot
while walking in a Nashville park last year, advanced out of the House Criminal
Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday. House Bill 1640, also known as “Jillian’s
Law,” aims to improve public safety by requiring criminal defendants deemed
incompetent to stand trial to be committed to an appropriate treatment facility.
Current state law does not provide this requirement.
(http://securenets1.com/StateRepRyanWilliams.jpg) - “The trauma inflicted on the Ludwig
family, her friends, and the Belmont community by this senseless act is
inconceivable,” said State Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, who
introduced the amendment. “Every day that a dangerous criminal is free on a
technicality is a day that the public safety is a serious risk.” House Majority
Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland. filed House Bill 1640 following the murder
of Ludwig, who was fatally shot while walking in a Nashville
park on Nov. 7. Her killer, Shaquille Taylor, was a repeat violent
offender prosecuted in April 2023 for a separate crime of aggravated assault
with a deadly weapon.
The case against Taylor was dismissed
after three court-appointed physicians testified he was incompetent to stand
trial and was released from custody. The legislation would additionally require
individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial to be entered into the National
Instant Criminal Background Check System, which serves as a namecheck database
of people prohibited from buying or owning firearms. Jillian’s Law is scheduled
to be heard in the House Criminal Justice Committee on Feb. 6.
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Tennessee
Republicans Stand with Texas to Secure Southern Border
(http://securenets1.com/SecureTheBorder.jpg) - House Republicans have filed several
pieces of legislation in support of Texas and its fight to secure the southern
border amid surging illegal immigration. House Joint Resolution 801, sponsored
by State Rep. Jake McCalmon, R-Franklin, urges the federal government to do
everything in its power to get the border crisis under control. A separate
resolution filed by State Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, also encourages Gov.
Bill Lee to continue allowing the Tennessee National Guard to assist Texas in
its efforts to combat illegal immigration.
“What’s happening
at the southern border is a foreign invasion and the Biden administration is
complicit,” McCalmon said.
“President Biden has been derelict in his duty to protect American citizens and
secure our nation’s borders. The federal government’s inaction has put
Tennesseans and Americans across the country at risk. We cannot afford the
current administration’s open border policies, which is why I am calling on
Biden to do his job and use every resource possible to stop the invasion.”
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House Joint
Resolution 801 is scheduled to be heard in the Departments and Agencies
Subcommittee on Feb. 7
(http://securenets1.com/StateRepMontyFritts.jpg) - Additionally, a proposed amendment to
House Bill 2190, sponsored by State Rep. Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, would
also authorize the governor, in accordance with the state constitution, to
deploy a brigade-sized force of between 3,000 and 5,000 troops to Texas for up
to a year. The deployment could be extended for up to six months at a time upon
approval of the General Assembly. There have been more than 10 million reported
illegal border crossings within the last three years, which include
apprehensions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and those who evaded
capture. Since 2019, Tennessee has sent 562 National Guard soldiers to help
secure the southern border.
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State of the
State: Gov. Bill Lee will deliver his sixth State of the State address
(http://securenets1.com/GovBillLee.jpg) - Gov. Bill Lee will deliver his sixth
State of the State address to members of the General Assembly and Tennesseans
on Monday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. Central Standard Time. The joint session will
be held in the House chamber at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The
address will be available on Lee’s Facebook https://facebook.com/GovBillLee and YouTube channels https://youtube.com/c/govbilllee and aired statewide.
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