Depite the TN Republican Super-Majority, the President, and his henchmen/women: WE WILL SURVIVE!!
Friends, These are times for music, art, and nature- hopefully, you’ve been able to imbibe in at least one of these during this weekend. It is the only way to come through this period with sanity intact and health preserved.
I don’t mean to overwhelm you with the information in this post but there is lots of legislation being pushed toward an early Adjournment date (Senate Judiciary announced March 26th, and House said the week before Easter) because of the number of House members being subpoenaed for the trial involving former House Speaker Glen Casada and his former aide Cade Cothren.
There are many people writing about legislative actions from this week, including:
Rise and Shine TN. AWAKE. The Education Trust. Healthy and Free Tennessee. Planned Parenthood of Tennessee/North MS Disability Rights Tennessee. Tennessee Equality Project SOCM. Moms Demand Action Tennessee. TN Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.
In the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, the Chair announced they plan to push all the gun-related bills to March 26th- yes, the day before the anniversary of the Covenant shooting. Seems like a good day for lots of people concerned about gun violence to show up at the Legislature to voice their frustration that no true reform has occurred in this state and their anger that instead, they are targeting the most vulnerable Tennesseans with bills designed to discriminate, deport, and cause people to die.
Below, I first report on the bills heard this past week, accompanied by a few interesting videos and, of course, some music. You may be interested in the video toward the end where we shut down the Agriculture Subcommittee because they were treating one of our Democratic legislators so badly. I then share videos from a “Cermoney of Remebrance” to recognize the enslaved people who worked to build the Capitol building, followed by a list of (some) of the upcoming bills to watch for this week.
I am a bit overwhelmed trying to keep up with all of the legislation working its way through committees and floor sessions. I may take a different approach next week, but I hope for now that this post gives you a sense of what is going on at the Capitol.
It has been fun to watch some of our newer and more progressive Legislators challenge the members of the Republican SuperMajority. As Irish Resistance Fighter Michael Collins was ascribed as saying, sometimes, “Our only weapon is our refusal.”
Or, as the children of Nashville remind us, “Don’t let anybody turn you around.” Together in this struggle, Michele
Monday, February 24, 2025 BILLS
12 Noon: House Naming and Designating Committee, Room 1
PASSED #4. *HB0346/Bulso/SB0504 Rose: Names the desk of house chamber seat number 60 as the “Legislative Desk of Representative John J. Deberry, Jr.
Representative Jones asked Representative Bulso whether he knew of any other living former Representative who has had a chair named after him on the House Floor. Representative Bulso answered “No” before commenting on DeBerry’s attributes. Jones then pointed out that DeBerry was being paid over $18,000 a month to help Governor Lee secure the passage of his Voucher (scam) bill and therefore didn’t think it appropriate to further reward DeBerry by giving him a permanent plaque on a House chair. If you remember, DeBerry was ousted from the Democratic Party in a 41-18 vote and was unable to win re-election as an Independent thereafter (are you feeling the winds of retribution yet?) However, during his questioning, Jones did not mention this dishonor and resulting controversy, as covered in The Tennessean. Among the reasons mentioned for his removal were siding with Republicans on earlier Voucher bills, taking contributions from Republican-aligned political action committees, and voting for a Republican House Speaker instead of Representative Camper when she ran.
-Passed with only Jones and Behn voting against it, while Representative Dixie voted for it along with the Republicans. -Referred to 3/5 House Calendar for State & Local Government
PASSED-#6- HJR0051 Fritts: Resolution to designate July 2025 as a time of prayer and fasting to seek “God’s hand of mercy healing on Tennessee.” Representative Fritts quoted George Washington and John Adams to encourage support of his bill, referring to the importance of reflecting on truth and moral law by those who are “spiritually inclined.” (More than a month is needed by Republicans).
-Passed with Jones and Behn voting against it but Dixie voting with the Republicans, again. -Referred to 3/5 Calendar for State & Local Government
TAKEN OFF NOTICE #9. *HB0217 Warner/SB0265 Hensley: This bill was TAKEN OFF NOTICE because, according to WKRN the costs associated with changing the Nashville International Airport to Trump Airport (really, such sucking up?!) would cost too much in the way of infrastructure, signage and other items, estimated at $10.34 million, along with concerns about a possible legal suit by Metro Nashville. Once a bill is taken off notice, it is rarely brought up again during the Session (but you never know with this Super-Majority).
DEFEATED #8. *HJR0052 Behn: A Resolution to memorialize Darek Tanner who, as noted in the 1/2/25 edition of The Scene, was the beloved owner of Canvas, a gay bar in East Nashville, and a “pillar of local LGBTQ community.”
Realizing she would not receive enough votes to move this bill out of committee, and therefore it would die, Behn had this to say:
The three Democratic committee members, Behn, Jones, and Dixie voted for Behn’s Resolution, while Republican Representative ReBarrett voted Present-Not Voting, and the remaining 6 Republicans voted against it.
-Referred to 3/5 State & Local Government with a Negative Recommendation (meaning it is most likely NOT move forward).
2:00 PM: HOUSE REGULAR FLOOR CALENDAR
PASSED #3. *HB0072 Howell/SB0215 Gardenhire: Establishes mandatory minimum penalties of 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine for a person convicted of knowingly selling or distributing a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21; prohibits a retailer from knowingly allowing an employee younger than 21 to access, handle, or sell any product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid on the premises of the retail establishment. (Increasingly an incarceration nation)
-Passed with only Democrats Behn, Brooks, Clemmons, Hakeem, Harris, Johnson, Jones, and Powell voting against it. Dixie was a Co-Sponsor of this bill. -Referred to 3/4 Senate Judiciary Committee
PASSED #5. *HB0325 Bulso/SB0634 Campbell: March 13 of each year would be known as "Father Charles Strobel Day."
Father Strobel was a beloved champion of the unhoused, hungry, and under-resourced people, having established the Loaves and Fishes program at Holy Name Catholic Church in East Nashville and the Room in the Inn Program serving unhoused people citywide.
The Catholic Register at the time of Father Strobel’s death issued this statement from his family: “Charles truly loved every person, most especially the lonely, poor and lost, the homeless, imprisoned and forgotten. Everyone was his family, no matter ethnicity, religion or background. He drew energy and love from everyone around him and would always say he received more than he gave … Charles asked that we ‘love one another’, that we ‘remember the poor’, and, above all else, ‘remember how good you are.’ Those are the teachings and memories we’ll all carry with us.”
I suggest that while Father Strobel would have also loved Bulso, he would have repeatedly challenged him to change his attitude toward, and amend the harmful legislation he has promoted that negatively impacts, the most marginalized people in our State, to whom Strobel dedicated his life to serve, protect, and uplift.
-Passed with unanimous vote -Referred to 3/4 Senate State and Local Government
2:00 HOUSE CONSENT FLOOR CALENDAR
PASSED #2. *HB0105 Lamberth/SB1286 Johnson: Removes the requirement that grants under the child care improvement pilot program be provided explicitly to nonprofit organizations to establish or make improvements to a child care agency. (Non-profit child-care centers will now have to compete for grant funding with for-profit entities.) -Passed with 93 Yes, 0 No’s and 2 present but not voting. -Referred to 3/5 Senate Health and Welfare
PASSED #3. *HB0107 Lamberth/SB1287 by Johnson: Removes the requirement that a parent or caretaker require their child to attend school, receive immunizations or have health checks. (It is wrong to threaten a family with losing public benefits for failing to offer these services and protections for their child. It is important to encourage and provide services to their children, including a good education, ongoing health care screenings, and access to immunization information to protect them and other children in their vicinity who may be exposed to a preventable illness.) -Passed with 93 Yes votes, 0 No’s and 2 Present but not voting. -Referred to 3/5 Senate Health and Welfare
PASSED 35. *SJR0043 Massey: Honors Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. (Object to the fact that this is a mere honor, but no State money has been set aside for individuals affected by the Hurricane. What about that Rainy Day Fund? Property tax relief was the offer, but if you have no home to return to, is this really your priority? This was the trade-off for East TN Legislators agreeing to vote for the Voucher bill? The true heroes are the volunteers who continue to offer direct and needed help daily, from the first days.)
-Passed with 93 Yes, 0 No, and 2 Present but not voting. -Transmitted to Governor
4:00 PM: SENATE Floor REGULAR Calendar
PASSED #8. *SB0669 Taylor/HB1226 Lafferty: Deletes all references to the World Health Organization; requires a pandemic to be declared by the Federal Centers for Disease and Prevention Control, rather than the World Health Organization, with a subsequent declaration of a state of emergency by the governor for the governor to have exclusive jurisdiction to issue executive orders and directives related to the pandemic until the pandemic ceases to exist. (Dissembling international health relationships for research and communication) -Passed Full Senate: Ayes 26, Nays 6 -Placed on 3/4 House Health Committee
Tuesday, February 25
Revenue Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways Means
The ALICE program, a statewide United Way initiative run out of the Chattanooga office, testified before the committee. As they shared the findings in their recent report, “ALICE in Focus: Children in Tennessee,” I found myself welling up, even though I already knew much of the information they shared the statistics are still overwhelming- MORE THAN HALF OF OUR CHILDREN IN THIS STATE are living economically fragile lives!!
They spoke to the gap between a survival and a stability income as noted below.
They also tracked wages for different job types and identified the gap between that and the family’s real survival needs.
Yarbro pointed to the fact that prices are going up while income has remained stagnant. He asked what legislators should be focused on, and United Way responded, “The need is food, housing and childcare. It takes 2.2 full-time jobs to pay rent if you make minimum wage in Hamilton County. That says enough right there.”
DEFEATED: #3. *SB0188 Lamar/HB0813 Miller: This bill would exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax on the one day of the year when the annual sales tax holiday is offered for back-to-school supply needs.
The Chair, Representative Hemmer, also a doctor living in very rural and poor Lewis County in Middle Tennesse, opened the discussion by referencing the bill’s fiscal note of $255,000.
Betina Hunt testified in support of the bill, referencing the 32,903 women needing this support. “Students have 180 days of instructional class, menstrual cycles last 3-10 days,” and if they don’t have the proper menstrual items they will resort to “using socks, T-shirts, and paper or even missing school altogether” yet “if they miss 18 days of school they are truant.” The American Medical Society has deemed menstrual products “essential for women’s health.” Hunt asked that menstrual products be considered a necessary school supply and entitled to tax exemption during the tax-free back-to-school holiday. She concluded, “Eradicate period poverty” and highlighted the “importance of menstrual dignity and equity across the state of Tennesse.”
-Negative recommendation to Senate Finance, Ways & Means. (3/5 Calendar in the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee.)
Following the vote, Hunt said she was “heartbroken” and that she was “speechless” given “they have daughters and wives and would they not want this for their families if they were in need?” Hunt had been told the previous day by 3 of the committee members that they would support the bill, but they voted the opposite way in the committee.
10:30 AM: Senate State & Local Government Committee
#11: *HB0325 Bulso/SB0634 Campbell: Designates March 13 of each year as "Father Charles Strobel Day. (See my note above regarding the House bill.) -DEFERRED to 3/4 Senate State and Local Government Committee (2/24 Passed full House)
PASSED- #18. *SB1413 Briggs/HB1376 Lamberth: Provides for the regulation of the manufacturing, supplying, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products by the commission and department of revenue; creates licenses for suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers; establishes taxes for such products and how such taxes are collected and allocated; establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations.
Senator Briggs led his presentation with a show and tell of Hemp products and encouraged reducing the THC in the growing flower from the .3% federal level to .1% and shifting oversight and enforcement responsibility from the Department of Agriculture to the Alcohol, Drugs, and Firearms Commission. (No one asked how long ago he picked up these products).
Rob Ikard, President of TN Groceries Association, testified that the current rules governing the industry producing and selling Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Products was passed in 2023 and is overseen by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The current bill would take away the right of licensed grocers and convenience stores to sell HDCP- mostly used currently by people wanting a drink alternative to alcohol- and only allow their sale by wine and beer distributors overseen by the Alchohol Beverage Commission.
Devin Aracena, is the founder and owner of Canvast, a Tennessee-based company supplying hemp products to businesses and consumers. She testified that the hemp industry generates millions of dollars ($3.9 million each month) in tax revenue for the state. This bill would unfairly target small businesses, farmers, and consumers by instituting an unworkable framework for the growth and distribution of help products. It bans the growing and use of the raw hemp material, THCA, which is non-psychoactive in its pure form. Aracena contended the bill is driven by concerns over bad actors selling bad products, which is already prohibited under existing law. She encouraged the enforcement of the current law as the answer to the concerns of the bill sponsor.
Senator Walley expressed a concern he heard from farmers who said this proposed law would put them out of business. While he understands the need for safety precautions, this bill would be extraordinarily disruptive to people who invested in this industry and the farmers who converted from growing products such as tobacco to growing hemp.
Aracena mentioned that the hemp industry craves regulation and has worked to address public safety concerns, and the main issue right now is enforcement so they can keep their safe products on the market.
-Passed with 6 Yes votes, 2 No and 1 Present but not voting. - Referred to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means (no date). (3/5 House Judiciary)
10:30 House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee
PASSED- #3. HB1237 Zachary/SB1235 Rose: Prohibits the exclusion of persons from membership on state regulatory and health-related boards based on race, color, ethnicity, and national origin; prohibits such boards from establishing or operating under race-based policies about their composition; creates a private cause of action against a board and its officers, employees, and agents for such practices; removes the requirement that appointing authorities strive to ensure certain boards and commissions are represented by members of racial minorities. (Terrible effort to remove all requirements for diversity on all state boards and commissions!!!)
Representative Zachary maintained that Tennessee has to follow the Supreme Court rule preventing Harvard from using race-based criteria for its student admissions and, therefore Tennessee should not use such criteria when selecting people to serve on its boards and commissions. He said to ensure “we have the best people on these boards,” they will be selected on the basis of merit and “not on some race, origin, sex, or some other arbitrary DEI policy that may exist. We are going to put the best possible people on these boards.” He went to reference the Tennessee Legislature where, he maintained, “We have diversity of thought and diversity of opinion. But based on someone’s color or based on someone’s sex, that doesn’t qualify them to necessarily serve…We need the best possible people that we can get to provide the best outcome for Tennesseans.”
Representative Miller fought back against this attack, saying that the Attorney General should do his job and defend the State against this attack in the form of a lawsuit rather than “disrupting it with this legislation.” He believes “it’s bad, its archaic…” and the State is being disingenuous when “We pass unconstitutional laws all the time that are being challenged. So why are we so adamant about this particular lawsuit on this particular subject that deals with diversity, equity, and inclusion? This is what makes this country powerful. This is what makes this country great.”
-Passed, 3/5 Calendar State & Local Government (2/12 referred Senate Judiciary)
10:30 AM- House Transportation Committee
PASSED #2. *HB0016 Clemmons/SB0141 Kyle: Requires the Department of Transportation to establish and administer a student pedestrian protection grant program; under certain conditions, authorizes grants to be awarded to local governments for designing, constructing, and repairing sidewalk infrastructure around public schools. -Passsed- Refer Government Operations (3/5 Calendar Senate Transport/ Safety)
12- Noon- House Education Committee
PASSED #7. *HJR0175 Cochran: Urges Tennessee universities to adopt principles of institutional neutrality, free expression and civil discourse, and the preservation of a safe and respectful campus. (Already have these policies!)
McKenzie first asked if schools are already doing this and offered that, if its not been a problem at any university, why is this Resolution needed?
Representative Johnson pushed a bit more into the question asked by McKenzie: why pass legislation if the colleges and universities in Tennessee have these policies and there have been no problems with them?
Cochran scoffed in response, asking why McKenzie and JOhnson would object to his bill if they agree these policies are good ones. Johnson pushed back hard, saying it appears they want this legislation just to show that they have it, not for any real purpose, and that it’s a part of the Republican agenda.
-PASSED, with all 4 Democrats voting against it and all 13 Republicans voting for it. -Placed on 3/3 Regular House Floor Calendar
DEFERRED: 15. *HB0064 Bulso/SB0472 Bowling: Requires all residential educational programs in this state, regardless of type or duration, that allow minors to participate or to access residential facilities to segregate all restrooms, changing areas, and showers by immutable biological sex. (Anti-Trans bill). -Deferred to 3/4 Education Committee (2/12 referred Senate Education)
12- Noon- House Population Health Subcommittee
ROLLED ONE WEEK #1. HB1156 Lynn/*SB1030 Bowling: Deletes the responsibility of a parent or legal guardian to ensure that such person's child receives vaccines as recommended by guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Children need vaccinations)(2/12 Refer to Senate Judiciary Committee)
TAKEN OFF NOTICE BUT…#2. *HB0026 Bulso/SB0194 Hensley.) Enacts the "Unborn Child Protection Act of 2025." (“Fetus as a person” effort) -On 2/25, Bulso’s bill was TAKEN OFF NOTICE in the Population Health Sub. However, Bulso must have asked the Chair(?) on 2/26 to put it back on the Agenda for 3/4, where it is now scheduled. (1/27 Refer Senate Judiciary)
12 Noon- House Transportation Subcommittee
OFF NOTICE #6. *HB0536 Love/SB0641 Campbell: Authorizes a dealer applicant without an established place of business to be issued a motor vehicle dealer license if the applicant is a nonprofit religious organization that is organized or incorporated in this state. -TAKEN OFF NOTICE. (2/12 Refer Senate Transportation/Safety)
PASSED #7. HB1378 Harris/*SB1420 Akbari: Requires written examinations administered to applicants for a driver's license or intermediate driver's license to include questions concerning hand signals used by operators of bicycles to communicate turning, slowing, and stopping. -Passed unanimously- 3/4 House Calendar Transportation (2/12 refer Senate Transportation-Safety)
PASSED #8. HB1023 Russell/SB0492 Bowling: Requires an enforcement officer to issue an out-of-service order to a driver issued a commercial driver's license if the officer determines during a safety inspection that the driver is unable to read and speak the English language in violation of federal requirements for commercial driver license holders; applies penalties against employers of such drivers. (LEAVE IMMIGRANTS ALONE!)
Behn expressed that she has major concerns about the bill, as do many business owners. It could lead to driver shortages because it makes it more difficult for people to become truck drivers and thereby for companies to find qualified workers. But at the core of her concern is that this bill is very anti-immigrant.
Behn then asked the Sponsor what was the catalyst for introducing his bill. Russell responded that it is a TRIGGER BILL in anticipation of the federal government possibly passing a similar law at the national level, at which point it would immediately become law in Tennessee.
The chair confirmed that Russell is working on an Amendment to address the licensing issue inherent in the bill. -Passed with only Behn and Powell voting against it, and the remaining 7 Republicans voting for it. -On 3/4 House Calendar in Transportation (2/12 Refer Senate Transport/Safety)
1:00 Senate Commerce and Labor
PASSED- SBO763 Yager/ HB0968 Hawk Tobacco, Tobacco Products - Requires the Department of Revenue to maintain a directory on its website that lists all vapor products certified as authorized to be sold in this state; levies a privilege tax of seven cents per milliliter of consumable material contained in a closed-system vapor product; levies a privilege tax at the rate of 10 percent of the wholesale cost price on an open-system vapor product.
Senator Yager testified that he is trying to ensure that those buying vaping products have the proper identification, although he conceded that most vendors are doing this now. The bill requires the Department of Revenue to produce a list of the products being sold and ensure that they are approved so young people are not being poisoned by products coming from outside the US and that only FDA-pending or -approved products are being sold in Tennessee. There are nominal civil penalties in the bill for noncompliance, but his primary focus is the need to stop Chinese vaping products from wreaking people’s lives. (Yager was very excitable during his testimony)
-Recommended for passage with Amendment/s, 7 Yes and 1 No vote. Refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means. (3/3 House Government Operations Committee)
1:30 PM House Education Instruction Subcommittee
TAKEN OFF NOTICE #1. *HB0971 Parkinson/SB1221 Oliver: Authorizes LEAs and public charter schools to create a physical education through a community service program by partnering with a community service partner to provide students in grades nine through 12 the opportunity to earn one-half credit in physical education by completing yard work projects for older persons and persons with disabilities within the community served by the LEA or public charter school. -Taken off notice in House (2/12 referred to Senate Education)
1:30 PM- House Health Committee
SUPPORT BUT - #10. HB0386 Butler/SB0262 Haile.)
Increases the age of an infant- from 14 days or younger to 45 days or younger- who can be received by a facility without the mother being subject to criminal liability. (Need to AMEND to include assistance with postpartum depression and social service assistance for all new Moms.).
McKenzie expressed worry that the date specific could be used as a weapon by those intending hurt to the mother. Also, he questioned if there is a reliable way to date the age of an infant. He expressed concern that an over-zealous DA might prosecute when care was what was needed. But mainly, he wished that the timeframe could be longer because the post-partum time is difficult, and 45 days is too short.
The Sponsor indicated a willingness to move the timeframe to 90 days. ( I wish they would talk about offering wraparound services for new Moms to help them through the early post-birth period that includes the first year of a child’s life and a parent’s adjustment).
-Passed unanimously- Refer to 3/5 House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee (2/10 referred to Senate Judiciary Committee).
PASSED #13. *HB0572 Hemmer/SB0575 Lamar: Requires all hospitals and birthing centers to provide information on post-birth warning signs, including symptoms and resources, to a mother and, if possible, to the mother's caregiver or at least one of the mother's family members before discharge following a birth; requires the department to provide all hospitals and birthing centers with information on post-birth warning signs, including symptoms and resources, and to have the information available on the department's website. (Link this bill to the previous one- do extensive follow-up to provide wrap-around services for new Moms)
Hemmer consulted with March of Dimes and the Department of Health to develop this bill. He referenced the 55 mothers who died due to pregnancy complications in 2022, 76% of whose deaths were preventable. This bill helps Moms, their family members and caregivers to identify post-partum symptoms before they become more serious.
-PASSED- Placed on 3/3 full House Consent Calendar (3/5 Senate Health and Welfare Committee)
3:00 PM -Senate Judiciary Committee
PASSED #2 SJR0025 Johnson: Removes the right to bail for the following offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great: act of terrorism; second degree murder; aggravated rape of a child; aggravated rape; grave torture; and any other offense, as of November 3, 2026, for which a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least 85 percent of the entire sentence imposed.
There was a very robust conversation about this bill that the following two videos just briefly touch upon, given that 4 witnesses testified against the bill and 1 testified in favor of it.
Nick Wachinski was the fourth of the witnesses testifying against this bill, which would remove the right to bail for those charged with one of the crimes listed, and thus would require a Constitutional Amendment if passed because the right to bail was incorporated into the Tennessee Constitution upon its passage. According to Wachinski, Although the impulse to hold a person in jail who has been arrested under suspicion of committing a crime may be understandable, the bill as drafted would take away the option for a Judge to offer bail if she sees fit, and instead requires that they deny bail if the person is charged with one of the crimes on the list. Even more concerning is the section that says “and any other offense, as of November 3, 2026,” leaving an opening to add other crimes post passage of the bill.
Representative Lamar raised the concern that the fiscal note attached to the bill does not reflect the burden that will be put on local jails and governments who will need to “eat up the costs” of those charged with a crime but denied bail and need to be housed for an indefiniate period in the local jail.
-Voted for adoption- Referred to Senate Calendar Committee
PASSED 15. *SB0335 Yarbro/HB0602 Freeman: Enacts the "Voyeurism Victims Act," which expands the offense of unlawful photography to include an unauthorized photograph that the defendant knew would include the unclothed intimate area of the victim or the victim engaged in sexual activity; authorizes the issuance of an order of protection for a person who has been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of unlawful photography.
Brooke Ferrill testified about her experience and that of numerous other women who were unknowingly video recorded while having sex with a man who they were unable to seek prosecution for because more than a year had passed from the date of the crime to when they learned of it, the current statute of limitation. The women requested that Senator Yarbro and Representative Freeman craft this bill to change the law so that a victim has one year from the date they become aware they were victimized rather than a year from when the illegal video recording or photography occurred.
-Passed unanimously and placed on 3/3 Senate Regular Floor Calendar (On 3/5 House Judiciary Committee)
PASSED #1. *SB1364 Watson- Requires, rather than permits, each law enforcement agency to execute an agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security to participate in the 287(g) program and the warrant service officer program for purposes of enforcing immigration laws in collaboration with the United States bureau of immigration and customs enforcement (ICE). (NOOOOOO!!!)
Watson read the bill and then said, “I will continue to work with our federal partners, and with that explanation, Mr Chairman, I will move this bill to General Sub.” No discussion!
-Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee (no date set)
DEFERRED - #10. *SB0243 Bailey/HB0588 Butler: Creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. (Yeah-Good Gun bill. But what about REAL gun control laws?)
-Deferred to 3/4 Senate Judiciary Committee (Deferred to 3/5 House Criminal Justice Subcommittee)
PASSED #13. SB0480 Bowling/*HB0444 Hulsey: Deletes the definition of "blighted area" and defines "blighted property" for purposes of condemnation by housing authorities; clarifies that housing authorities may acquire real property without using eminent domain; authorizes housing authorities to pay more than fair market value for properties that are not blighted but that are in a blighted area; makes other related changes. (Worrisome RE: gentrification??)
-Refer to Senate Calendar Committee (Placed on 3/5 House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee)
FAILED: #14. *SB0489 Bowling/HB0872 Rudder: Enacts the "Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act," which establishes a medical cannabis program to be administered by the Tennessee medical cannabis program commission. (Hope they studied other states!) -2/26 in House Criminal Justice Sub
-Failed in Senate Judiciary Committee for no second (2/10Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee)
PASSED: #15. *SB0335 Yarbro/HB0602 Freeman: Enacts the "Voyeurism Victims Act," which expands the offense of unlawful photography to include an unauthorized photograph that the defendant knew would include the unclothed intimate area of the victim or the victim engaged in sexual activity; authorizes the issuance of an order of protection for a person who has been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of unlawful photography.
-Passed unanimously- Refer 3/3 Senate Regular Floor Calendar (Placed on 3/5 House Judiciary Committee)
PASSED #16. *SB0672 Taylor/HB0729 Barrett: Increases the penalty for obstruction of a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, or other place used for the passage of persons or vehicles from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony; establishes an increased penalty of a Class D felony if the offense was committed by intentionally obstructing a highway, street, or other place used for the passage of vehicles. (Criminalizes Demonstrations)
-Recommended for passage with Amendments, Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0 - Refer Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee (Placed on 3/5 House Criminal Justice Subcommittee)
PASSED #18. SB0540 Stevens/HB0492 Farmer: Requires the court to consider any failure to pay child support, rather than failure for three years or more, when making a child custody determination; clarifies that the court may preclude or limit any provisions of a parenting plan if the court finds that a parent has failed to pay child support. (What if we were in jail or lost/can’t find a job? Need to keep child support and visitation separate!!)
-Recommended for passage with Amendments, Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0. -Refer Senate Calendar Committee (Refer 3/4 House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee)
PASSED #20. *SB0456 Rose/HB0579 Doggett: Adds the offense of robbery to the definition of crime of violence (Robbery is defined as taking someone’s property by force or intimidation. It can but does not have to include a gun. Legislators are screwing with limiting those crimes for which you can get a bond because constitutionally you currently have a right to a bond other than if charged with capital murder. People will be languishing in jail unable to be bonded out while awaiting trial. More of the “lock them up and throw away the key” mentality.)
-Placed on 3/3 Senate Consent Calendar 2 (Placed on 3/5 Criminal Justice Subcommittee )
3:00 PM -House Education Administration Subcommittee
PASSED- #5. *HB0039 Davis/SB0155 Akbari: Enacts the "Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act," which requires, instead of authorizing, LEAs and public charter schools to provide feminine hygiene products at no charge in all women's and girls' bathrooms, in all locker rooms, and with school nurses at each public senior high school for student use only.
-Placed on 3/4 Education Committee (1/27 Refer to Senate Education Committee)
FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND- #7. HB0682 Jones J/SB0699 Kyle: Enacts the "Student Comfort through Alternative Restorative Environments (CARE) Act"; requires local education agencies and public charter schools to allow students of a school in the LEA or public charter school where an act of mass violence occurs to voluntarily participate in remote instruction or a virtual education program for at least 31 calendar days.
Committee Chair and Representative Slater quickly announced the bill, then said it died for lack of a Motion but then changed it to “for lack of a second.”
This was swift- don’t blink! Was the other Democrat on the committee, Representative Glynn, not there so Jones could not get a second?
Failed for lack of second (2/12 referfed to Senate Education Committee)
FIGHT: #8. *HJR0066 Cepicky: Encourages each local education agency that operates a high school to participate in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Career Exploration Program and make the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery tests widely available to all high school students in Tennessee. (Recruiting in the high schools -UGH).
-Placed on 3/4 House Education Committee
ROLLED ONE WEEK #10. *HB0448 Glynn/SB1163 Akbari: Requires, instead of encouraging, LEAs and public charter schools to incorporate training in evidence-based skills training on positive behavioral interventions and supports, conflict prevention, functional behavior assessments, de-escalation, and conflict management into its behavior intervention training program; requires at least two hours of such training each school year; allows the hours of training received to be applied toward in-service training requirements.
-Refer to 3/4 House Education Administration Sub (2/12 Refer to Senate Education Committee)
3:00 PM- House Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee
FIGHT #2. *HB0722 Warner/SB0823 Hensley: Clarifies that the county election commissions must purge the permanent registration records of certain voters unless otherwise prohibited by federal law. (Voting restriction effort)
-Placed on 3/5 House State & Local Government (2/12 refer Senate State and Local Government)
FIGHT #3. *HB0139 Warner/SB0159 Hensley: Prohibits using voting machines or voting equipment to cast, receive, or transmit an election ballot via the internet, except for military personnel and citizens abroad. (What about extending to people with a disability??)
-Placed on 3/4 House Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee (1/27 Refer Senate State and Local Government)
WEDNESDAY, February 26
8:30 AM- Senate Government Operations Committee
PASSED #1. SB0880 by Reeves. (*HB0896 by Todd: Prohibits a state agency from disseminating, proposing, or finalizing any regulatory action for a substance, mixture, or chemical related to drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, contaminated site remediation, air quality, or solid or hazardous waste handling unless the regulatory action is based upon the best available peer-reviewed scientific and technical information. (???Isn’t this already happening?)
-Refer Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources (Placed on 3/5 House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee)
DEFERRED #2. *SB0269 Campbell/HB0600 by Freeman: Enacts the "Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act," requiring producers of goods to participate in a responsibility organization for recycling, reuse, and composting of certain packaging material.
-Deferred to 2026 in Senate (Assigned to House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee)
9 AM- House Commerce Committee
PASSED #1. HB1096 Sexton/SB1074 Johnson: Prohibits an employer seeking to receive an economic development incentive from the state from entering into a community benefits agreement or similar legal contract if the agreement or contract imposes obligations or conditions on the employer regarding employment practices, benefits, or operations that are not directly related to the performance of the employer’s duties under the economic development incentive. (CBAs ensure that affected residents share in the benefits of development projects.)
-House 3/3 Regular FLOOR Calendar (2/12 refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee)
9 AM- House Criminal Justice Subcommittee
PASSED #2. *HB0403 Crawford/SB0482 Bowling- Expands the offense of unlawful photography to include a photograph that the defendant knew would include the victim engaged in sexual activity; increases the penalty for the offense of unlawful photography from a Class A misdemeanor or a Class E felony to a Class D felony in certain circumstances; authorizes the issuance of an order of protection for a person who has been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of unlawful photography.
-Placed on 3/5 House Judiciary Committee (2/12 refer to Senate Judiciary Committee)
PASSED #5. HB0514 Gillespie/*SB0379 by Walley: Requires TACIR to perform a study on the impact of this state's firearm laws on each county's firearm sales, criminal offenses, and use of firearms for self-defense, as well as identifying the similarities and dissimilarities between the impacts on each county.
After the committee voted, I asked Gillespie to add death by gun suicide to the list of items to be studied by TACIR. He said he had no interest as his bill was strictly limited to learning more about gun deaths in his district in just these specific instances and not exploring suicide by gun.
-Placed on 3/5 House Judiciary Committee (2/12 refer to Senate Judiciary Committee)
PASSED #6- HB0034 Gillespie/SB0221 Taylor: As introduced, permits a court to use juvenile court records, including the disposition and evidence, in pretrial reports used to set bond for criminal offenses; requires the magistrate to consider the defendant's prior juvenile record in determining the defendant's risk of danger to the community.
This bill would allow Juvenile records to be looked at up to 5 years back from an adult criminal offense when sentencing. This Amendment was offered by Lamberth and passed as part of the bill.
-Passed with only Salinas voting NO. -Placed on 3/5 House Judiciary Committee (Placed on 3/3 Senate Regular Calendar)
TAKEN OFF NOTICE: # 7. *HB0696 Gillespie/SB1123 Harshbarger: Establishes a sexual assault response team coordinator to provide statewide training, support, and technical assistance to and oversight of sexual assault response teams.
-Taken off Notice in House (Refer on 2/12 to Senate Judiciary Committee)
PASSED #10. HB0588 by Butler. (*SB0243 by Bailey: Creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. (YES- a gun restriction law!! )
-Placed on 3/5 House Criminal Justice Subcommittee (3/4Senate Judiciary)
PASSED #11. *HB1148 Butler/SB1236 Haile: Removes Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) and Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCp) from the list of authorized hemp-derived cannabinoids; creates a Class A misdemeanor offense to knowingly manufacture, produce, sell, or distribute a product containing certain substances derived from hemp that are not on the list of authorized hemp-derived cannabinoids; creates a Class A misdemeanor offense to knowingly purchase, possess, or accept receipt of a product containing certain substances derived from hemp that are not on the list of authorized hemp-derived cannabinoids.
-Passed but with Democrats Powell and Salinas voting “No.” -Placed on 3/5 House Judiciary Committee (2/12 refer to Senate Judiciary Committee)
PASSED-12. HB1376 Lamberth/SB1413 Briggs: Provides for the regulation of the manufacturing, supplying, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products by the commission and department of revenue; creates licenses for suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers; establishes taxes for such products and how such taxes are collected and allocated; establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations.
Bill Sponsor Lamberth asked the witness if it wasn’t true that whenTHCA is heated, it will turn into Delta-9 and get you high. He responded, “Yes, just like if you heat grapes, they will turn into wine.”
Salinas commented that there are lots of compounds that will change when they are heated, such as acidominaphin, which turns into morphine when heated, but it’s still sold over the counter. She then asked if there are any medicinal benefits to THCA that would help cancer patients, for example, like her, who is a 3-time cancer survivor. He responded that, given the research he knows, his opinion is that it helps with internal inflammation.
Salinas then asked how many uninsured people there are in the state. The Representative did not know but suggested that a medical doctor would prescribe a drug that a licensed pharmacist would fill. She then asked if he was a supporter of Medicaid Expansion so people could get those prescriptions. “There are so many people who don’t go to the doctor to get those prescriptions because they don’t have access to health insurance. And this is something that could provide some form of treatment.”
Another witness related that the Hemp industry had worked with the State to develop new regulations that only went into effect “on December 26, of 2024, just a mere 63 days ago.” Further, this regulation would upend “all of the hard work and capital” that Tennessee companies have expended to bring the industry into compliance, so he urged pausing a vote on this legislation to allow for the law to work as intended. But of more concern even than this is that this bill as written will eliminate Hemp agriculture in Tennessee because it sets a new “unheard of standard of .1% “and this plant cannot be cultivated at such a low level of concentration,” rather than the 3% allowed by federal law. “It is an impossible standard to meet, and none will.” (Nuff Said, right?!!)
Powell referenced the issue with growing these products in Tennessee and longer so where could they be sourced from and was told that the .1% standard is unheard of in hemp cultivation domestically. “I am not sure it can be done.”
Powell asked about enforcement and was told it was a timing issue. The 2023 law was rolled out over time, and his part, the laboratory testing rules, were not mandated to begin until December 2024. He confirmed that no hemp product can be packaged or distributed at this time without being tested. “The rules haven’t had the time to go into effect as they were intended” until now.
-Passed-only Salinas and Powell voted “No” and the 6 Republicans voted “Yes.” -Placed on 3/5 House Judiciary (Refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee)
PASSED 13. *HB0553 Capley/SB1022 by White: Expands "law enforcement officer" to include a correctional officer employed by a county jail, the department of correction, or a private prison contractor and a probation or parole officer employed by the department of correction or a private probation provider for purposes of the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer.
-Only Powell and Salinas voted No. -3/5 House Judiciary Committee (2/25 refer Senate Finance, Ways, and Means)
FIGHT:#18. HB0729 Barrett/*SB0672 Taylor: Increases the penalty for obstruction of a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, or other place used for the passage of persons or vehicles from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony; establishes an increased penalty of a Class D felony if the offense was committed by intentionally obstructing a highway, street, or other place used for the passage of vehicles. (ANTI-DEMONSTRATION!!!)
-Passed with a vote of 7 Yes and 2 No (Salinas and Powell) -3/5 Criminal Justice Subcommittee (Refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means)
PASSED #21. *HB0625 Hardaway/SB0662 by Akbari: Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a person poses an imminent substantial likelihood of serious harm and needs emergency detention and examination if the person was charged with one of certain criminal offenses and ordered by the criminal, circuit, or general sessions court to undergo an evaluation to determine whether the person is incompetent to stand trial or the person's mental capacity at the time of the commission of the crime; requires clear and convincing evidence to rebut the presumption. (Trying to prevent criminalization of mental illness?)
-Placed on 3/5 House Criminal Justice Subcommittee (2/12 refer to Senate Judiciary)
PASSED #24. HB0602 Freeman + Dixie/SB0335 Yarbro: Enacts the "Voyeurism Victims Act," which expands the offense of unlawful photography to include an unauthorized photograph that the defendant knew would include the unclothed intimate area of the victim or the victim engaged in sexual activity; authorizes the issuance of an order of protection for a person who has been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of unlawful photography.
-Placed on 3/5 House Judiciary Committee (Placed on 3/3 Senate Regular Calendar)
PASSED #27 HB0433 Jones J/SB0404 Lamar: Expands the offense of unlawful exposure to include the distribution, with the intent to cause emotional distress, of an image of the intimate parts of another identifiable person or an image of an identifiable person engaged in sexually explicit conduct and the image was created or modified using a computer software program, artificial intelligence application, or other digital editing tools.
-Placed on 3/5 House Criminal Justice Subcommittee (2/12 refer Senate Judiciary)
PASSED # 28. HB1261 Jones J./*SB1325 Kyle: Makes it an offense for farmers to keep breeding pigs and veal calves in certain small enclosures, subject to certain exceptions, effective July 1, 2030. (No high-priced baby fatted calves- or pigs)
-Placed on 3/5 House Criminal Justice Subcommittee (2/12 refer Senate Judiciary)
PASSED 37. HB0579 Doggett. (*SB0456 Rose.) Adds the offense of robbery to the definition of crime of violence. (Worried about this bill and numerous others - that I have not included here- related to criminal behavior with a mentality of lock-em-up rather than spending money on rehab. And don’t get me started about Core Civic, renamed Corrections Corporation of America, which was found to have many violations, and the State still wants to give them money???) -Scheduled to be heard 2/25 in Senate Judiciary)
-3/5 House Criminal Justice Subcommittee (3/3 Senate Consent Calendar 2)
10:30 AM- House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
PASSED #8. *HB0120 Lamberth/SB1303 Johnson: Creates the offense of intentionally impeding or obstructing a member of the Division of Protective Services from ingress to, egress from, or movement about a location where the member is responsible for a person protected by the Division of Protective Services; creates the offense of intentionally refusing to vacate an area where access has been restricted by a member of the division of protective services to maintain the safety or security of the person being protected. (To be used against anyone in any way seen as threatening toward a legislator, governor, or other elected official)
Chism asked Hulsey if this bill would affect people coming to the Capitol. He said it would be true anywhere if they knowingly blocked the path of the Governor.
-PASSED: 3/4 House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee (3/4 Senate Judiciary)
PLACED BEHIND THE BUDGET 15. *HB0076 Stevens/SB0433 Reeves: Prohibits the abandonment of an animal in a person's custody and provides that it is not a defense to prosecution that the person abandoned the animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or other place of shelter if the person did not make reasonable arrangements for the care of the animal. (People are trying to drop off an animal they can no longer care for, they may be ill or economically challenged and now they are to be criminalized when the State has created a safe drop-off program for a baby. Animals and children are not equivalent, but the protection of living species is important and not to be punished. Instead, the State should give more money to shelters, especially in hard economic times.
-Placed behind the Budget in House- Removed from consideration??? (2/12 refer to Senate Judiciary Committee)
10:30 AM- House Public Service Subcommittee
FAILED!!! *HB0632 Clemmons/SB0808 Yarbro: Authorizes an employee who has been employed full-time with this state for at least 12 months to receive up to 15 hours of paid leave for certain qualified volunteer work. -Failed in House Public Service Sub (2/12 refer Senate State and Local Government)
DEFERRED #7. *HB0741 McKenzie/SB1174 Akbari: Requires a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras to adopt a written policy for the use of the cameras by its law enforcement officers; establishes certain requirements for the policies. (Uniformity across the state?)
-3/12 Public Service Subcommittee (2/12 refer to Senate Judiciary Committee)
FAILED # 8. HB1388 Harris/SB1254 Lamar: Requires the state to enter into good faith negotiations for the purchase of the Cotton Museum in Memphis, subject to approval by the state building commission.
-Failed in House Public Service Subcommittee (2/26 Assign General Subcommittee of Senate Education)
PASSSED, #10. *HB0318 Rudd/SB0263 Hensley: Prohibits the enforcement and recognition of requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum in this state or its political subdivisions. (Why would elected officials not want us to follow good health mandates?)
Macey Fluharty testified against this bill. Please listen:
Salinas asked how this bill might affect international travel. She was told by Rudd that it would not affect it at all and “they do not dictate American’s travel.”
PASSED- Refer 3/5 House State & Local Govern (2/10 Refer Finance, Ways, Means)
House Judiciary Committee
PASSED 1. *HJR0049 by Sexton: Amends the Constitution of Tennessee to remove the right to bail for the following offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great: act of terrorism; second degree murder; aggravated rape of a child; aggravated rape; grave torture; and any other offense, as of November 3, 2026, for which a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least 85 percent of the entire sentence imposed.
Johnson asked if excessive bail is a concern and if that is the reason for changing the Constitution and what is the argument for why this change would be more constitutionally sound. District Attorney Crump responded that there is no federal right to bail, yet there is this right in the Tennessee Constitution, so anyone has a right to it except in the case of a capital crime. If a Judge wanted to set a very high bail right now, they couldn’t do it. So, by changing the Constitution, the Judge could decide that someone “is not safe to be among us.” This would not violate the US Constitution right now.
Johnson countered that it would be unconstitutional in Tennessee right now and “we have to be honest that we are changing it.” She went on to say that one of her chief concerns is that the list of possible crimes for which bail could be denied is not final in this bill, and it could take up to 2 years for a Constitutional Amendment to be passed by the public, leaving it open to add crimes during this time.
Crump confirmed that he is not aware of additional charges that could be added before the final passage of the Constitutional Amendment. He concluded that denyine bail via a Constitutional Amendment “does not cause hesitation” for prosecutors.
Sexton, who decided to join the conversation (something that is very unusual), asked how much bail money is needed to be put up to get out now, and Crump said it is unknown, “pick a number.” Sexton responded, “So it means nothing. They can get out for a dollar.” He said local Baildbondsmen are not against this change because they know “there are some people who should not be bailed out.” But he charged that the big bond companies statewide are against it because they won’t be making the same amount of money and don’t care about safety. Sexton also said that since the time the Constitution was written, it has changed. He then raised the question of other associated costs of crime to the witness who listed several types of crimes that economists have put a dollar amount on, particularly as they relate to the cost of crime to victims.
-Only Johnson and Salinas voted against the bill. Powell and Harris voted Present but not voting (Really! That’s the impact of Sexton in the room). 17 Republicans voted for the bill.
-3/5 House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
-Placed on Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/5/2025
PASSED #3-*HB1169 Hemmer/SB1342 Campbell: Requires on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the council on children's mental health care to submit a report to certain officials regarding the status of the statewide system of care for children's mental health and the service delivery system and the status of children's mental health in this state.
-3/3 House Consent Calendar (3/5 Senate Health and Welfare Committee)
PASSSED #5. HB1020 Russell/SB0280 Jackson: Specifies that a law enforcement officer who causes property damage to or inflicts personal injury upon a person during the law enforcement officer's official duties is immune from civil liability if at the time the damage or injury occurred, the person suffering the injury or damage was engaged in conduct that resulted in the person being convicted of the offense of resisting a stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search of the person. (DOES THIS WORRY YOU? Demonstrators? Driving/walking/standing while black?)
-Refer House Calendar & Rules Committee (2/10 Refer Senate Judiciary Committee)
PASSED #6. HB0096 Davis/*SB0019 Gardenhire: Authorizes the attorney general and reporter to conduct an investigation and initiate criminal prosecution of a judicial elected official or district attorney general whenever the attorney general and reporter have probable cause to investigate whether an official may have violated any state criminal law and either a decision to prosecute the official by the district attorney general may result in a personal, financial, or political conflict of interest or the attorney general and reporter receives a report of a violation of the prohibition on nepotism within state government entities. (Seems so specific- what the what? Going after someone? Memphis? Nashville? for non-compliance?)
-Refer House Calendar & Rules Committee (Passed full Senate, 29 Yes, 2 No)
12 Noon- House Health Subcommittee
PASSED #1. HB1226 Lafferty/SB0669 Taylor: Deletes all references to the World Health Organization; requires a pandemic to be declared by the Federal Centers for Disease and Prevention Control, rather than the World Health Organization, with a subsequent declaration of a state of emergency by the governor for the governor to have exclusive jurisdiction to issue executive orders and directives related to the pandemic until the pandemic ceases to exist.
-3/4 House Health Committee (Passed full Senate, 26 Yes, 6 No)
FAILED #3. HB0631 Clemmons/*SB0580 Akbari: Requires the governor's office of faith-based and community initiatives to establish a grant program to support and fund nonprofit and faith-based child care programs for children four years of age and younger.
-Failed 2/26 Health Subcommittee
1:OO PM -Senate Health and Welfare Committee
PASSED #2. *SJR0037 Lamar: Maternal Health Day, October 17
-3/3 Senate Consent Calendar 2
1:30 PM- House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee
PASSED #2. HB0911 Garrett/SB0529 Stevens: Clarifies that the attorney general and reporter have exclusive authority to enforce the general prohibition under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977 against acts or practices that are unfair to the consumer; removes the requirement that an assurance of voluntary compliance with the Act be in writing, and filed and subject to the approval of the circuit or chancery court of Davidson County; makes other changes related to consumer protection. (Surprised this is attacking Davidson County?)
-3/5 House Banking & Consumer Affairs Sub (3/4 Senate Commerce and Labor)
1:30 PM- House Civil Justice Subcommittee
PASSED #1. *HJR0100 Faison: Urges the Tennessee opioid abatement council and each participating county to allocate 25 percent of approved expenditures from the opioid abatement fund to initiatives that distribute and promote overdose reversal medications.
-3/5 House Judiciary Committee
DEFFERED #3. *HJR0053 Reedy: Remove the provision that authorizes the legislature to regulate the wearing of arms to prevent crime and to clarify that citizens have a right to keep and bear arms. (BAD, BAD GUN LAW)
(A bit of humor…)
3:00 PM Senate Education Committee
FAILED IN HOUSE #13. *SB1254 Lamar/HB1388 Harris: Requires the state to enter into good faith negotiations for the purchase of the Cotton Museum in Memphis, subject to approval by the state building commission. (We NEED to know on whose backs this -and so many other- industry thrived!!!)
-Refer General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee (Failed in House Public Service Subcommittee)
3:00 PM -House Agriculture-Natural Resources Subcommittee
Jones opened the Committee with a dedication to Fannie Lou Hammer.
ROLLED !! *HB0896 Todd. (SB0880 Reeves: Prohibits a state agency from disseminating, proposing, or finalizing any regulatory action for a substance, mixture, or chemical related to drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, contaminated site remediation, air quality, or solid or hazardous waste handling unless the regulatory action is based upon the best available peer-reviewed scientific and technical information. (Yeah, so…?)
Jones asked the legal witness if he was a scientist, and he said he was not although he has been working for 30 years on public policy, particularly with product safety. Jones then told him the committee has received numerous letters from doctors, scientists and lawyers opposing this bill because the wording of the proposal would have the unintended consequences of negatively affecting the health and safety of Tennessee children and adults and its broad language would effect the rule making of various agencies and commissions within state government. “That is very troubling.”
The lawyer took issue with a statement about the bill that said it would require studies on humans, and this was not true. He further countered that regulations have to be based upon science and would have to have a positive human health outcome. He concluded that the letters were in fact opinions and said, “I’m not going to go through line by line.”
Jones then said that on one hand, there are respected opinions from scientists across the country contrasting with the testimony provided by this legal witness representing the Chamber of Commerce. He went on to say that what is troubling is that the bill would require agencies to wait until members of the public were suffering from toxic exposure before they could issue health advisories and thereby make it difficult to protect the most vulnerable residents of the state. The former Chief Deputy Attorney General of the State of Tennessee signed this letter along with other attorneys “all saying this bill is too broad in scope and would have an adverse impact.”
The lawyer responded that he didn’t know who these people were and indicated they might be representative of the “pay to play” journals this legislation is targeting. He went on to say that “some products that have been proven to be dangerous are regulated after the fact.”
(Hee then mentioned asbestos, which hit a nerve with me because asbestos is the exact substance that caused my father, a plumber, to develop the lung cancer that caused his death. Even though the manufacturers knew that their product was carcinogenic, given the testing by their own scientists, they continued to make and distribute it up until they were sued, and then some of them filed for bankruptcy to keep from paying damages to the affected individuals and families. And some of them emerged from bankruptcy to continue to wreak havoc on American lives, much like the Sackler family and the RJ Reynolds tobacco company, who knew their products were addictive and dangerous, leading to many deaths, yet hid the science that proved this from the American people. Yes, I just shared the rant that was going through my head as this lawyer testified. It was hard to sit there and listen to this fellow try to rationalize away the concerns of scientists and doctors with such a disingenuous argument, as though we and the people of Tennessee were ignorant fools.)
This lawyer for the Chamber of Commerce then had the audacity to conclude, “If you want to say we should go in and ban products before any inkling that they’re dangerous, then we can have a philosophical debate, and I can just disagree with you.”
(REALLY? THIS IS THE EXPERT THEY PUT FORWARD ON THIS BILL?? DO YOU FEEL SAFER NOW?)
After politely thanking him for his testimony, Jones then said he had a two-part follow-up question. “Are there any other states that have this legislation passed?” to which the Chamber of Commerce lawyer responded that it has been introduced in West Virginia so “Tennessee would be a pioneer.” Jones then responded, “I don’t know that we would be a pioneer, but we would be a guinea pig… So we would be experimenting with the lives of our people in Tennessee.. No other state has passed this because they know it would be harmful for their constituents.” Jones then asked that the Committee hear from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to get clarity on this bill before it was passed out of Committee.
Bill Sponsor and Representative Todd said they are working with TDEC to “possibly have a tweak to this bill” and pointed out that they have the checks and balances of the rule-making process that involves the public and the Government Operations Committee “to vet things out more clearly.” He then moved to roll the bill one week.
-Rolled to 3/5 House Agriculture & Natural Resources Sub (2/26 Refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources)
The video below reveals what happened immediately after Jones discredited the Chamber of Commerce witness Todd had brought to testify on his bill. Jones’ bill was up next: HB0681 Jones J./SB0700 Kyle: Enacts the "Healthy Soil Act."
When Jones asked to have his bill rolled for two weeks so that a State agency could testify, just like Todd had done with his bill, Todd objected. It is standard practice that bills are automatically rolled when a member asks, but that did not happen with Jones. As a result, Jones had to make a motion, which he lost because the only other Democrat on the committee, Representative Shaw, had stepped out of the room and therefore was not there to offer a second. Shaw said he left to take a call from his daughter, but he was gone so long that when Jones asked to instead roll his bill for one week, Shaw was still gone, and Jones lost that request.
Jones's next bill, #5. HB0716 Jones J./*SB0702 Kyle enacting the "Climate Resiliency Fund Act" also failed for “LACK OF A MOTION” as stated by the Chair. Jones tried to make a motion but knew it would fail because Shaw was gone, and no Republican on the Committee would second his motion.
Some people in the audience said they saw Shaw receive a nod from a Republican telling him to leave the room as soon as Jones’s bill came up. You can see on the video that Shaw conveniently waited to return to the committee until after Jones’s requests had failed. You can also see when all hell broke out because of the actions of Todd, the Committee Chair, and Shaw. This was some really ugly dealing, and we let the Committee know exactly how we felt about it. This video represents the vindictive and petty approach the Republican Super-Majority are taking toward Democrats who are actively trying to stop bills that are detrimental to the health and well-being of residents of Tennessee.
(Thanks to Johanna Keohane for sharing the recording of the Committee meeting.)
3:00 PM -House Business and Utilities Subcommittee
DEFERRED #8. *HB1108 Salinas/SB1152 Crowe: Enacts the "Ola Mae Ransom Reintegration Act," which exempts veterans of the United States military, including the National Guard and Reserves, from payment of the $15 fee for a business license.
-Deferred to 3/19 Business/Utilities Sub. (2/12 refer Senate Commerce/Labor)
3:00 PM- House Cities & Counties Subcommittee
DEFERRED #12. HB1069 Glynn/*SB1013 Oliver: Makes void and unenforceable a restriction in a homeowners’ association declaration that would prohibit the operation of a family child care home at a property that is the site of a proposed family child care home if the operator of the proposed family child care home has obtained a license from the department of human services and any necessary permits or licenses from the applicable local government for the operation of the family child care home.
-Deferred to 3/12 Cities/Counties Sub (2/12 Refer Senate Commerce/Labor)
4:30 PM House Insurance Committee
DEFERRED #3. *HB0018 Baum/SB0164 Yarbro: Directs the bureau to establish a temporary TennCare benefits program to provide medical assistance temporarily to certain individuals who do not qualify for enrollment in TennCare, CoverKids, or a successor program; requires the bureau to submit a waiver to the federal centers for medicare and Medicaid services by December 31, 2025. (YES, PLEASE, and then real and permanent Medicaid Expansion!!)
-Deferred to 3/5 House Insurance Committee (Refer 1/27 Senate Health and Welfare)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27'
I did not attend the Full House and Senate Floor Sessions. Instead, I attended the Sisters City Peace Conference: “A Reflection on the Past, A Call to Action.” It was a partnership between Queens College in Belfast, Ireland, Fisk University, and Belmont University.
However, I did return to the Capitol for a “Cermoney of Remebrance” honoring the enslaved crafts people who helped build the Tennessee State Capitol:
Lewis. Daniel. Robert. Nelson. John. Parker.
Dang. Bill. John G. John. Andrew Jim.
The Proclamation, House Joint Resolution 152, introduced by State Representative Justin Jones from District 52, passed by the House and Senate, and signed by Governor Lee on 2/21/05, reads:
“Whereas, for too long, these fifteen individuals have not been given proper recognition, and it is our privilege and duty to rectify this dereliction and duly credit the skilled men who helped create one of our state’s most treasured Landmarks.”
I offer you a few videos of the Ceremony for your enjoyment.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, Gaale Mayes Stuart
Invocation, Honorable Brenda Haywood
Reading of the full Resolution 152 by Students
Original Poetry offered by Caroline Randall Williams
Remarks by Dr. Learotha Williams, Profesor African American History, TSU
Remarks by Gary Burke, Local Historian
Remarks by HD 92 State Representative G.A. Hardaway
Remarks by Karen Johnson, Davidson County Register of Deeds
Remarks by HD 60 State Representative Shaundelle Brooks
Remarks by Event Organizer, HD 52 State Representative Justin Jones
Song by Dr. Brown, Fisk University: This Little Light of Mine
BILLS March 3 to March 6, 2025
Monday March 3
11 AM House Government Operations Committee- Room 1
#5 FIGHT- SBO763 Yager/ HB0968 Hawk Tobacco, Tobacco Products - Requires the Department of Revenue to maintain a directory on its website that lists all vapor products certified as authorized to be sold in this state; levies a privilege tax of seven cents per milliliter of consumable material contained in a closed-system vapor product; levies a privilege tax at the rate of 10 percent of the wholesale cost price on an open-system vapor product. (2/25 Refer Senate Finance, Ways, Means)
2:00 PM REGULAR House Floor Session
#5FIGHT HB1096 Sexton/SB1074 Johnson: Prohibits an employer seeking to receive an economic development incentive from the state from entering into a community benefits agreement or similar legal contract if the agreement or contract imposes obligations or conditions on the employer regarding employment practices, benefits, or operations that are not directly related to the performance of the employer’s duties under the economic development incentive. (CBAs ensure that affected residents share in the benefits of development projects.). (2/12 refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee)
2:00 PM CONSENT House Floor Session
#22 SUPPORT *HB0572 Hemmer/SB0575 Lamar: Requires all hospitals and birthing centers to provide information on post-birth warning signs, including symptoms and resources, to a mother and, if possible, to the mother's caregiver or at least one of the mother's family members before discharge following a birth; requires the department to provide all hospitals and birthing centers with information on post-birth warning signs, including symptoms and resources, and to have the information available on the department's website. (Need to extensive follow-up to provide wrap-around services for new Moms)(3/5 Senate Health Welfare)
#28 SUPPORT*HB1169 Hemmer/SB1342 Campbell: Requires on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the council on children's mental health care to submit a report to certain officials regarding the status of the statewide system of care for children's mental health and the service delivery system and the status of children's mental health in this state.
#15 SB1283 Johnson/*HB0111 Lamberth: Adds as a disease for which a laboratory must test during a standard serological test of a pregnant woman hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) with automatic reflex to HCV RNA if anti-HCV is reactive, and makes certain other changes to the process of conducting required pregnancy serological tests. (3/3 Senate Regular Calendar)
4 PM Senate Floor CONSENT Calendar 2
#19 SUPPORT *SJR0037 Lamar: Maternal Health Day, October 17
#10 FIGHT *SB0456 Rose/HB0579 Doggett: Adds the offense of robbery to the definition of crime of violence (Robbery is defined as taking someone’s property by force or intimidation. It can but does not have to include a gun. Legislators are screwing with limiting those crimes for which you can get a bond because constitutionally you currently have a right to a bond other than if charged with capital murder. People will be languishing in jail unable to be bonded out while awaiting trial. More of the “lock them up and throw away the key” mentality.) (3/5 Criminal Justice Subcommittee )
#14 SUPPORT SB0569 Reeves/HB0963 Baum: Removes the prohibition on requiring a patient to pay an administrative fee for pharmacist-provided hormonal contraceptives when the patient is insured or covered and receives a pharmacy benefit that covers the cost of the hormonal contraceptives.
4 PM Senate Floor REGULAR Calendar
#3 FIGHT HB0034 Gillespie/SB0221 Taylor: As introduced, permits a court to use juvenile court records, including the disposition and evidence, in pretrial reports used to set bond for criminal offenses; requires the magistrate to consider the defendant's prior juvenile record in determining the defendant's risk of danger to the community. (Allows Juvenile records to be used up to 5 years from an adult criminal offense when sentencing. (Placed on 3/5 Judiciary)
# 6 SUPPORT. HB0602 Freeman/SB0335 Yarbro: Enacts the "Voyeurism Victims Act," which expands the offense of unlawful photography to include an unauthorized photograph that the defendant knew would include the unclothed intimate area of the victim or the victim engaged in sexual activity; authorizes the issuance of an order of protection for a person who has been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of unlawful photography. (3/5 House Judiciary)
#11. SB1283 Johnson/*HB0111 Lamberth: Adds as a disease for which a laboratory must test during a standard serological test of a pregnant woman hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) with automatic reflex to HCV RNA if anti-HCV is reactive, and makes certain other changes to the process of conducting required pregnancy serological tests. (3/3 House Consent Calendar)
Tuesday, March 4
9:00 AM House Tenncare Subcommittee- Room 2
#9 SUPPORT HB0295 Love/SB0044 Lamar: Adds doula services performed by a person with a verification of certification to the list of services that may be provided as medical assistance under the TennCare program; directs the department of health to establish by rule a process for the verification of certification to a person who demonstrates that the person has completed a doula training program that meets certain requirements. (2/19 Refer Senate Finance)
10:30 AM Senate State and Local Government -Room 1
#19 SUPPORT HB0325 Bulso/SB0634 Campbell: March 13 of each year would be known as "Father Charles Strobel Day." (Strobel would have repeatedly challenged Bulso to change his attitude toward, and amend the harmful legislation he has promoted that negatively impacts, the most marginalized people in our State, to whom Strobel dedicated his life to serve, protect, and uplift. (Passed House 95 Yes, 0 No)
10:30 AM House Transportation -Room 1
#5 FIGHT- HB1023 Russell/SB0492 Bowling: Requires an enforcement officer to issue an out-of-service order to a driver issued a commercial driver's license if the officer determines during a safety inspection that the driver is unable to read and speak the English language in violation of federal requirements for commercial driver license holders; applies penalties against employers of such drivers. (LEAVE IMMIGRANTS ALONE!) (2/12 refer Senate Transport/Safety)
#6 SUPPORT- HB1378 Harris/*SB1420 Akbari: Requires written examinations administered to applicants for a driver's license or intermediate driver's license to include questions concerning hand signals used by operators of bicycles to communicate turning, slowing, and stopping. (2/12 refer Senate Transport/Safety)
12 Noon House Education Committee -Room 1
#12 FIGHT *HJR0066 Cepicky: Encourages each local education agency that operates a high school to participate in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Career Exploration Program and make the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery tests widely available to all high school students in Tennessee. (Recruiting in the high schools -UGH).
#20 SUPPORT *HB0039 Davis/SB0155 Akbari: Enacts the "Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act," which requires, instead of authorizing, LEAs and public charter schools to provide feminine hygiene products at no charge in all women's and girls' bathrooms, in all locker rooms, and with school nurses at each public senior high school for student use only. (1/27 Refer to Senate Education Committee)
#22 FIGHT *HB0064 Bulso/SB0472 Bowling: Requires all residential educational programs in this state, regardless of type or duration, that allow minors to participate or to access residential facilities to segregate all restrooms, changing areas, and showers by immutable biological sex. (2/12 referred Senate Education) -Anti-Trans bill!!
12 Noon Population House Health Subcommittee -Room 2
#1 FIGHT *HB0026 Bulso/SB0194 Hensley.) Enacts the "Unborn Child Protection Act of 2025." (“Fetus as a person” effort) (1/27 Refer Senate Judiciary)
#2 FIGHT- HB1156 Lynn/*SB1030 Bowling: Deletes the responsibility of a parent or legal guardian to ensure that such person's child receives vaccines as recommended by guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the American Academy of Pediatrics. (2/12 Refer to Senate Judiciary Committee) (Children need vaccinations) (2/12 Refer Senate Judiciary)
1:00 PM Senate Commerce and Labor -Room I
#15 FIGHT. HB0911 Garrett/SB0529 Stevens: Clarifies that the attorney general and reporter have exclusive authority to enforce the general prohibition under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977 against acts or practices that are unfair to the consumer; removes the requirement that an assurance of voluntary compliance with the Act be in writing, and filed and subject to the approval of the circuit or chancery court of Davidson County; makes other changes related to consumer protection. (Surprised this is attacking Davidson County?) (3/5 Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee)
1:30 House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee- Room 3
#1 FIGHT SB0540 Stevens/HB0492 Farmer: Requires the court to consider any failure to pay child support, rather than failure for three years or more, when making a child custody determination; clarifies that the court may preclude or limit any provisions of a parenting plan if the court finds that a parent has failed to pay child support. (What if they were in jail or lost/can’t find a job? Need to keep child support and visitation separate!!) (2/25 Refer to Senate Calendar, 7 Yes, 2 No)
#2 SUPPORT HB0347 Hurt/SB0560 Jackson: Specifies that the terms abandonment, abuse, severe abuse, and dependent and neglected child do not include the failure to meet the needs of a child solely due to financial hardship unless reasonable material resources such as cash assistance, safe and stable housing, or tangible goods have been offered to and refused by the parent or guardian; makes various other changes regarding adoption, termination of parental rights, and the criminal offenses of child abuse and child neglect
1:30 Education Instruction Committee- Room 2
#4 FIGHT HB0178 Bulso/SB0471 Bowling: Establishes that 5-9th grade family life curriculum must include age-appropriate instruction and evidence regarding the positive personal and societal outcomes associated with the method by which a person completes the following in sequential order: obtains a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential; enters into the workforce or pursues a postsecondary degree or credential; enters into marriage.
#5 FIGHT HB0368 Stinnett/SB0319 Massey: Adds instruction for public high school students on this state's safe haven law to the required components of a family life curriculum.
1:30 House Health Committee- Room 1
FIGHT #1. HB1236 Zachary/SB1154 Crowe: Requires the department to submit a request for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture's food and nutrition service to seek authorization to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of candy and soft drinks.
#2 FIGHT *SB0669 Taylor/HB1226 Lafferty: Deletes all references to the World Health Organization; requires a pandemic to be declared by the Federal Centers for Disease and Prevention Control, rather than the World Health Organization, with a subsequent declaration of a state of emergency by the governor. (Dissembling international health relationships for research and communication).(Passed Senate 26 Yes, 6 No)
#11 SUPPORT SB0569 Reeves/HB0963 Baum: Removes the prohibition on requiring a patient to pay an administrative fee for pharmacist-provided hormonal contraceptives when the patient is insured or covered and receives a pharmacy benefit that covers the cost of the hormonal contraceptives.
SUPPORT #20. *HB0039 Davis/SB0155 Akbari: Enacts the "Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act," which requires, instead of authorizes, LEAs and public charter schools to provide feminine hygiene products at no charge in all women's and girls' bathrooms, in all locker rooms, and with school nurses at each public senior high school for student use only.
3:00 PM Senate Judiciary Committee- Room 1
# 4 FIGHT *HB0120 Lamberth/SB1303 Johnson: Creates the offense of intentionally impeding or obstructing a member of the Division of Protective Services from ingress to, egress from, or movement about a location where the member is responsible for a person protected by the Division of Protective Services; creates the offense of intentionally refusing to vacate an area where access has been restricted by a member of the division of protective services to maintain the safety or security of the person being protected. (To be used against anyone in any way seen as threatening toward a legislator, governor, or other elected official) (3/4 House Finance, Ways, and Means)
#13 SUPPORT - *SB0243 Bailey/HB0588 Butler: Creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. (Yeah-Good Gun bill. But what about REAL gun control laws?) (3/5 House Criminal Justice Subcommittee)
#28 FIGHT- HB0072 Howell/SB0215 Gardenhire: Establishes mandatory minimum penalties of 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine for a person convicted of knowingly selling or distributing a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21; prohibits a retailer from knowingly allowing an employee younger than 21 to access, handle, or sell any product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid on the premises of the retail establishment. (More of the Incarceration nation) (Passed House 87 Yes, 8 No)
CONSENT CALENDAR
#1 SUPPORT SB1290 Johnson/HB0113 Lamberth: makes permanent the exclusion of narcotic testing equipment used to determine whether a controlled substance contains a synthetic opioid, unless the narcotic testing equipment is possessed for purposes of the commission of a drug offense, from the definition of drug paraphernalia.
3:00 PM House Education Admin Subcommittee -Room 3
#8 FIGHT HB1262 Reneau/SB1252 Rose: Makes various changes to the categories of individuals who are not required to use a preferred pronoun, and for whom a preferred pronoun can be disregarded, if the pronoun is inconsistent with the person's biological sex; makes various changes to the civil liability and adverse action protections as it relates to the use of, or the refusal to use, a pronoun or preferred pronoun.
# 15 SUPPORT *HB0448 Glynn/SB1163 Akbari: Requires, instead of encouraging, LEAs and public charter schools to incorporate training in evidence-based skills training on positive behavioral interventions and supports, conflict prevention, functional behavior assessments, de-escalation, and conflict management into its behavior intervention training program; requires at least two hours of such training each school year; allows the hours of training received to be applied toward in-service training requirements. (2/12 Refer to Senate Education Committee)
3:00 PM House Finance Ways and Means- Room 1
# 5 FIGHT *HB0120 Lamberth/SB1303 Johnson: Creates the offense of intentionally impeding or obstructing a member of the Division of Protective Services from ingress to, egress from, or movement about a location where the member is responsible for a person protected by the Division of Protective Services; creates the offense of intentionally refusing to vacate an area where access has been restricted by a member of the division of protective services to maintain the safety or security of the person being protected. (To be used against anyone in any way seen as threatening toward a legislator, governor, or other elected official) (3/4 Senate Judiciary)
3:00 PM House Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee -Room 2
#5 FIGHT *HB0139 Warner/SB0159 Hensley: Prohibits using voting machines or voting equipment to cast, receive, or transmit an election ballot via the internet, except for military personnel and citizens abroad. (What about extending to people with a disability??). (1/27 Refer Senate State and Local Government)
Wednesday, March 5
9:00 AM House Criminal Justice Subcommittee -Room 2
#2. *HB0113 Lamberth/SB1290 by Johnson: Makes permanent the exclusion of narcotic testing equipment used to determine whether a controlled substance contains a synthetic opioid, unless the narcotic testing equipment is possessed for purposes of the commission of a drug offense, from the definition of drug paraphernalia.
#13 FIGHT *SB0456 Rose/HB0579 Doggett: Adds the offense of robbery to the definition of crime of violence (Robbery is defined as taking someone’s property by force or intimidation. It can but does not have to include a gun. Legislators are screwing with limiting those crimes for which you can get a bond because constitutionally you currently have a right to a bond other than if charged with capital murder. People will be languishing in jail unable to be bonded out while awaiting trial. More of the “lock them up and throw away the key” mentality.) (3/3 Senate Consent Calendar 2)
#18. FIGHT*HB0473 Crawford/SB0841 Walley: Requires a person arrested for a felony offense to have a biological specimen taken by the arresting authority for the purpose of DNA analysis to determine identification characteristics specific to the person.
#34 FIGHT *SB0672 Taylor/HB0729 Barrett: Increases the penalty for obstruction of a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, or other place used for the passage of persons or vehicles from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony; establishes an increased penalty of a Class D felony if the offense was committed by intentionally obstructing a highway, street, or other place used for the passage of vehicles. (Criminalizes Demonstrations) (2/25 Refer Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee)
#36 SUPPORT- *SB0243 Bailey/HB0588 Butler: Creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. (Yeah-Good Gun bill. But what about REAL gun control laws?) (3/4 Senate Judiciary Committee)
#42 SUPPORT *HB0625 Hardaway/SB0662 by Akbari: Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a person poses an imminent substantial likelihood of serious harm and needs emergency detention and examination if the person was charged with one of certain criminal offenses and ordered by the criminal, circuit, or general sessions court to undergo an evaluation to determine whether the person is incompetent to stand trial or the person's mental capacity at the time of the commission of the crime; requires clear and convincing evidence to rebut the presumption. (Trying to prevent criminalization of mental illness?) (2/12 refer to Senate Judiciary)
# 47 SUPPORT HB0433 Jones J/SB0404 Lamar: Expands the offense of unlawful exposure to include the distribution, with the intent to cause emotional distress, of an image of the intimate parts of another identifiable person or an image of an identifiable person engaged in sexually explicit conduct and the image was created or modified using a computer software program, artificial intelligence application, or other digital editing tools. (2/12 refer Senate Judiciary)
#48 SUPPORT HB1261 Jones J./*SB1325 Kyle: Makes it an offense for farmers to keep breeding pigs and veal calves in certain small enclosures, subject to certain exceptions, effective July 1, 2030. (No high-priced baby fatted calves- or pigs) (2/12 refer Senate Judiciary)
9:30 AM Calendar Senate Transport/ Safety -Room 1
#7 SUPPORT HB0016 Clemmons/SB0141 Kyle: Requires the Department of Transportation to establish and administer a student pedestrian protection grant program, with grants awarded to local governments for designing, constructing, and repairing sidewalk infrastructure around public schools. (2/25 Refer Government Operations)
10:30 House Insurance Subcommittee- Room 1
#6 SUPPORT- HB0169 Helton-Hayes/SB089 Akbari: Expands the definition of a health benefit plan; requires a health benefit plan that amends, renews, or delivers a policy of coverage on or after January 1, 2026, and that provides coverage for prescription contraceptives, to provide coverage for a 12-month refill of contraceptives obtained at one time by an insured person.
10:30 AM House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee -Room 3
#3 FIGHT *HJR0049 by Sexton: Amends the Constitution of Tennessee to remove the right to bail for the following offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great: act of terrorism; second degree murder; aggravated rape of a child; aggravated rape; grave torture; and any other offense, as of November 3, 2026, for which a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least 85 percent of the entire sentence imposed.
# 11 FIGHT SB0480 Bowling/*HB0444 Hulsey: Deletes the definition of "blighted area" and defines "blighted property" for purposes of condemnation by housing authorities; clarifies that housing authorities may acquire real property without using eminent domain; authorizes housing authorities to pay more than fair market value for properties that are not blighted but that are in a blighted area; makes other related changes. (Worrisome RE: gentrification??) (Refer to Senate Calendar Committee)
#19 SUPPORT BUT…HB0386 Butler/SB0262 Haile.)
Increases the age of an infant- from 14 days or younger to 45 days or younger- who can be received by a facility without the mother being subject to criminal liability. (Need to AMEND to include assistance with postpartum depression and social service assistance for all new Moms.). (2/10 referred to Senate Judiciary Committee)
12:00 NOON House Judiciary Committee- Room 1
#1 FIGHT *SB1413 Briggs/HB1376 Lamberth: Provides for the regulation of the manufacturing, supplying, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products by the commission and department of revenue; creates licenses for suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers; establishes taxes for such products and how such taxes are collected and allocated; establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations. (NO! Put Hemp industry out of business in state or move to Alcohol, Beverage Commission without giving enough time for enforcement of new oversight by Agriculture Department because wine and beer sales are slipping). (2/25 Refer Senate Finance, Ways, Means)
#3 SUPPORT *HJR0100 Faison: Urges the Tennessee opioid abatement council and each participating county to allocate 25 percent of approved expenditures from the opioid abatement fund to initiatives that distribute and promote overdose reversal medications.
# 5 SUPPORT *HB0403 Crawford/SB0482 Bowling- Expands the offense of unlawful photography to include a photograph that the defendant knew would include the victim engaged in sexual activity; increases the penalty for the offense of unlawful photography from a Class A misdemeanor or a Class E felony to a Class D felony in certain circumstances; authorizes the issuance of an order of protection for a person who has been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of unlawful photography. (2/12 Refer Senate Judiciary)
#9 FIGHT HB0034 Gillespie/SB0221 Taylor: As introduced, permits a court to use juvenile court records, including the disposition and evidence, in pretrial reports used to set bond for criminal offenses; requires the magistrate to consider the defendant's prior juvenile record in determining the defendant's risk of danger to the community. Allows Juvenile records to be used up to 5 years from an adult criminal offense when sentencing. (3/3 Senate Regular Calendar)
#11 SUPPORT HB0514 Gillespie/*SB0379 by Walley: Requires TACIR to perform a study on the impact of this state's firearm laws on each county's firearm sales, criminal offenses, and use of firearms for self-defense, as well as identifying the similarities and dissimilarities between the impacts on each county. (Would not add death by gun suicide to the study) (2/12 refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
# 14 FIGHT *HB1148 Butler/SB1236 Haile: Removes Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCp) from the list of authorized hemp-derived cannabinoids; creates a Class A misdemeanor offense to knowingly manufacture, produce, sell, or distribute a product containing certain substances derived from hemp that are not on the list of authorized hemp-derived cannabinoids; creates a Class A misdemeanor offense to knowingly purchase, possess, or accept receipt of a product containing certain substances derived from hemp that are not on the list of authorized hemp-derived cannabinoids. (2/12 Refer Senate Judiciary)
#15 FIGHT *HB0553 Capley/SB1022 by White: Expands "law enforcement officer" to include a correctional officer employed by a county jail, the department of correction, or a private prison contractor and a probation or parole officer employed by the department of correction or a private probation provider for purposes of the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer. (2/25 refer Senate Finance, Ways, and Means)
#16 SUPPORT *SB0335 Yarbro/HB0602 Freeman: Enacts the "Voyeurism Victims Act," which expands the offense of unlawful photography to include an unauthorized photograph that the defendant knew would include the unclothed intimate area of the victim or the victim engaged in sexual activity; authorizes the issuance of an order of protection for a person who has been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of unlawful photography. (3/3 Senate Regular Calendar)
1:00 PM Senate Health and Welfare- Room 1
REGULAR CALENDAR
#1 FIGHT- *HB0105 Lamberth/SB1286 Johnson: Removes the requirement that grants under the child care improvement pilot program be provided explicitly to nonprofit organizations to establish or make improvements to a child care agency. (Non-profit child-care centers will now have to compete for grant funding with for-profit entities.) (2/27 Passed Full House)
#2 FIGHT- HB0107 Lamberth/SB1287 by Johnson: Removes the requirement that a parent or caretaker require their child to attend school, receive immunizations or have health checks. (Wrong to threaten a family with losing public benefits for failing to offer these services and protections for their child. The State should help not punish) (2/27 Passed Full House)
#4 SUPPORT *HB0572 Hemmer/SB0575 Lamar: Requires all hospitals and birthing centers to provide information on post-birth warning signs, including symptoms and resources, to a mother and, if possible, to the mother's caregiver or at least one of the mother's family members before discharge following a birth; requires the department to provide all hospitals and birthing centers with information on post-birth warning signs, including symptoms and resources, and to have the information available on the department's website. (Link this bill to the previous one- do extensive follow-up to provide wrap-around services for new Moms) (3/3 Up for House Floor vote)
# 6 SUPPORT -*HB1169 Hemmer/SB1342 Campbell: Requires on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the council on children's mental health care to submit a report to certain officials regarding the status of the statewide system of care for children's mental health and the service delivery system and the status of children's mental health in this state. (3/3 House Consent Calendar)
CONSENT CALENDAR
#4 SUPPORT SB0849 Lamar/HB0960 Love: Requires the board of medical examiners, the board of osteopathic examination, and the board of examiners in psychology to each develop and offer an optional course in maternal mental health when establishing continuing medical educational requirements for persons licensed to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, or psychology, respectively.
1:30 PM Civil Justice -Room 3
#5 FIGHT HJR0007 Bulso: An amendment to the Tennessee Constitution to declare that a person shall not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall a person be denied equal protection of the law; defines "person" to include every human being from fertilization to natural death.
1:30 PM House Calendar for State & Local Government- Room 1
#3 FIGHT HB1237 Zachary/SB1235 Rose: Prohibits the exclusion of persons from membership on state regulatory and health-related boards based on race, color, ethnicity, and national origin; prohibits such boards from establishing or operating under race-based policies about their composition; creates a private cause of action against a board and its officers, employees, and agents for such practices; removes the requirement that appointing authorities strive to ensure certain boards and commissions are represented by members of racial minorities. (Terrible effort to remove all requirements for diversity on all state boards and commissions!!!) (2/12 Referred Senate Judiciary)
#14 FIGHT- HJR0051 Fritts: Resolution to designate July 2025 as a time of prayer and fasting, to seek “God’s hand of mercy healing on Tennessee.” (Really?)
#20 FIGHT- *HB0346/Bulso/SB0504 Rose: Names the desk of house chamber seat number 60 as the “Legislative Desk of Representative John J. Deberry, Jr. (DeBerry was being paid over $18,000 a month to help Governor Lee secure the passage of his Voucher (scam) bill.). (2/12 Refer Senate State-Local Government)
#22 FIGHT *HB0722 Warner/SB0823 Hensley: Clarifies that the county election commissions must purge the permanent registration records of certain voters unless otherwise prohibited by federal law. (Voting restriction effort) (2/12 refer Senate State and Local Government)
#33 FIGHT *HB0318 Rudd/SB0263 Hensley: Prohibits the enforcement and recognition of requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum in this state or its political subdivisions. (Why would elected officials not want us to follow good health mandates?) (2/10 Refer Finance, Ways, Means)
1:30 PM House Banking and Consumer Affairs -Room 2
#3 FIGHT HB0911 Garrett/SB0529 Stevens: Clarifies that the attorney general and reporter have exclusive authority to enforce the general prohibition under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977 against acts or practices that are unfair to the consumer; removes the requirement that an assurance of voluntary compliance with the Act be in writing, and filed and subject to the approval of the circuit or chancery court of Davidson County; makes other changes related to consumer protection. (Surprised this is attacking Davidson County?) (3/4 Senate Commerce and Labor)
3:00 PM Senate Education Committee- Room 1
#12 HB0793 Lamberth/SB0836 Watson: Authorizes LEAs and public charter schools to refuse to enroll students undocumented students.
3:00 PM House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee -Room 3
# 9 FIGHT- was rolled one week -HB0896 Todd. (SB0880 Reeves: Prohibits a state agency from disseminating, proposing, or finalizing any regulatory action for a substance, mixture, or chemical related to drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, contaminated site remediation, air quality, or solid or hazardous waste handling unless the regulatory action is based upon the best available peer-reviewed scientific and technical information. (2/26 Refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources)
#6 FIGHT HB0199 Reeves/SB0113 Johnson: Requires an agreement or contract entered into between the commissioner and a county health department for the department to implement subsurface sewage disposal requirements to include authority for the commissioner to issue a variance in certain circumstances.
4:30 PM House Insurance Committee -Room 1
#1 SUPPORT *HB0018 Baum/SB0164 Yarbro: Directs the bureau to establish a temporary TennCare benefits program to provide medical assistance temporarily to certain individuals who do not qualify for enrollment in TennCare, CoverKids, or a successor program; requires the bureau to submit a waiver to the federal centers for medicare and Medicaid services by December 31, 2025. (YES, PLEASE, and then real and permanent Medicaid Expansion!!) (Refer 1/27 Senate Health and Welfare)
Thursday, March 6
(most items have will be assigned as the week unfolds)
HOUSE Regular Floor Calendar
FIGHT HJR0175 Cochran: Urges Tennessee universities to adopt principles of institutional neutrality, free expression and civil discourse, and the preservation of a safe and respectful campus. (Already have these policies!)
8:30 AM HOUSE AND 9:00 SENATE FLOOR CALENDARS - Nothing at this time
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