Legislative Update, March 19, 2022
Tennessee General Assembly information, click HERE. For information on State Senators, including phone numbers and email addresses, click HERE; for House members, click HERE. For information on legislation, click HERE.
Don't forget that you can now watch the Senate committee meetings and floor sessions online by going HERE; House committee meetings and floor sessions online HERE.
Phone calls can go to the legislative Switchboard at 615-741-3011 or to the Toll Free number 1-800-449-8366+1 last four digits of office phone number (available online).
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FOR YOUR PRAYER LIST:
There are 73 Republicans and 26 Democrats in the TN House of Representatives who ran for office and were elected to represent the members of these 99 districts. The State Senate includes 27 Republicans and six Democrats who have also run for and been elected to represent their constituents. These 132 men and women are making decisions that will impact the lives of people all across the state. They need our prayers and we have the DUTY to pray for them. And we certainly need to continue to pray for the Ukraine.
NOTE: As you may know, because of my husband's illness and finally graduating to Heaven on February 9th, then came the celebration on Feb. 26, and burial on the 28th, I was not able to be at the Legislature until March 1st.
One of the nicest blessings of being 'back in the saddle' again is that my 2022 interns are now in place!! I am sorry that they will not have the experience for the entire session, but I am definitely glad to have them for the remainder of the session. Below are their observations for their first week.
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Ethan Weber is a homeschooled sophomore, 16 yrs old, the oldest of seven, and lives with his family in Murfreesboro.
My day at the capitol was spent hearing several high-stakes bills go through subcommittee. We started out in the Civil Justice Subcommittee, and watched as vaccine freedom bill HB 2452 passed into Civil Justice Full Committee. From there, we went on to ask certain Representatives to support Eagle Forum's anti-obscenity bill. Around noon, we went into the capitol to hold a meeting with one of the Governor's staff. Afterwards, we attended another hearing, in which I learned about Bud Hulsey's gold depository bill. This bill would authorize a precious metal bank, monitored by the state, at no cost to the state. I look forward to my return to the state Capitol.
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Trinity I. Mindach is a homeschooled senior, 17 yrs. old, has three siblings and lives with her family in Manchester.
My first week of being an intern was incredible! Getting the opportunity to meet such intelligent people, watching how proposed legislation moves through committee meetings, and getting to learn from and be around Ms. Bobbie was a wonderful experience. Something that fascinated me was seeing first-hand how busy and often chaotic this part of the year can become for everyone working in the Cordell Hull. I loved being in a place where people have dedicated their lives to protect and preserve our rights. I am greatly looking forward to next week and experiencing it all again.
PROTECTING STUDENTS FROM DIGITAL OBSCENITY AND PORNOGRAPHY IN SCHOOLS:
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SB 2292 by *Bell - HB 2454 by *Weaver, DOGGETT, LITTLETON, LYNN, ZACHARY, MOODY, CRAWFORD, POWERS, LAFFERTY, CEPICKY, LAMBERTH, HULSEY, RUDDER, HASTON, CARRINGER, WARNER, HOWELL, RUDD, GRIFFEY
Obscenity and Pornography - As introduced, redefines "obscene" to include material that has educational value; makes various changes to the internet acceptable use policy LEAs are required to adopt; requires providers of digital and online resources to ensure that users cannot access certain obscene material; requires a local board of education to establish a mechanism for parents, legal guardians, or students to report failures of the technology selected by the LEA to filter, block, or otherwise prevent access to pornography or obscenity through online resources and to submit an annual report to the state board of education regarding same.
STATUS: I am thrilled to let you know that on Tuesday, HB2454 [as amended] was voted out of the K-12 Subcommittee with what sounded like a unanimous vote and is in Education Administration on Wednesday.
You will want to read the talking points.
SEE, YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, but we still have more to do!!
ACTION: PLEASE, PLEASE contact these legislators and politely URGE them to support HB2454.
Rep. Charlie Baum rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Mark Cochran rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Tandy Darby rep.tandy.darby@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. John Gillespie rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Yusuf Hakeem rep.yusuf.hakeem@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Justin Lafferty rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Antonio Parkinson rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov .
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PROTECTING STUDENTS FROM OBSCENE MATERIALS:
SB 1944 by *Hensley - HB 1944 by *Cepicky
Obscenity and Pornography - As introduced, excludes local education agencies, public schools, and employees and private contractors of LEAs or public schools from the exception to certain obscenity offenses if the LEA, public school, employee, or private contractor possesses obscene material that is harmful to minors on public school premises; prohibits an LEA or public school from making obscene materials or materials harmful to minors available to students in the school libraries control.
STATUS: As amended, HB1944 was FINALLY voted out of House Education Administration 11-2 (Reps. voting aye were: Baum, Carringer, Casada, Cepicky, Cochran, Darby, Haston, Hurt, Lafferty, Ragan, White -- 11; Reps. voting no were: Clemmons, Hakeem -- 2) and was sent to Calendar and Rules.
STATUS: SB1944 is in Senate Education on Wednesday.
ACTION: You will want to contact these members and urge them to support this legislation.
Sen. Jon Lundberg sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov , Sen.Raumesh Akbari Sen.Raumesh.Akbari@capitol.tn.gov , Sen. Mike Bell sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov, Sen. Rusty Crowe sen.rusty.crowe@capitol.tn.gov , Sen. Ferrell Haile sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov, Sen. Brian Kelsey sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov , Sen. Bill Powers sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov , Sen. Dawn White sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov .
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AGE-APPROPRIATE MATERIALS ACT OF 2022:
SB 2407 by *Johnson - HB 2154 by *Lamberth
Local Education Agencies - As introduced, enacts the "Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022"; requires each public school to maintain, and post on the school's website, a list of the materials in the school's library collection; requires each local board of education and public charter school governing body to adopt a policy to establish procedures for the development and review of school library collections.
STATUS: This bill passed the Senate 26-5 and the House 78-21 and has been transmitted to the Governor for action.
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ARTICLE V CONVENTION FOR TERM LIMITS:
HJR 0008 by *Todd , Mannis, Garrett, Zachary, Doggett, Calfee, Williams, Ogles, Bricken, Hurt, Powers, Sexton J, Moon, Farmer, Hicks T, Wright, Carr, Lynn, Sparks
Constitutional Conventions - Makes application to Congress for the purpose of calling an Article V convention to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution to set a limit on the number of terms to which a person may be elected as a member of the Congress of the United States.
STATUS: HJR0008 is in Senate Judiciary on Tuesday.
PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW:
Term Limits Don't Work .
Don’t Be Fooled by Article V Conventions .
TWENTY QUESTIONS ABOUT A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
The Problems with ARTIFICIAL Term Limits .
Five reasons to oppose congressional term limits .
ACTION: Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to OPPOSE HRJ0008:
Sen. Mike Bell sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Dawn White sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Paul Rose sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Jon Lundberg sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Kerry Roberts sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. John Stevens sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Todd Gardenhire sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Sara Kyle sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov
BOTTOM LINE: We have term limits, they are called elections and we should concentrate on electing congressional candidates that will actually follow the Constitution and not support an Article V Convention, not knowing exactly how that would come out.
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PROPOSED ERA RAISES ITS HEAD AGAIN:
HJR 0757 by *Powell
General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Supports ratification of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution; calls on the United States Congress to remove the deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment by the state.
STATUS: HJR757 is in Civil Justice Committee on Wednesday.
You may not remember, but in 1972, Tennessee was one of the first states to Ratify the proposed ERA without any real hearings, etc. "Who could be opposed to equal rights for women"?? Well, after people began to REALLY investigate what the consequences would be from national ratification, in 1974, TN quickly rescinded their ratification.
About 47 years ago, it was opposing the proposed ERA that opened the door to a world that I didn't know existed. Many of us worked very hard to see that it was defeated.
It originally had a 7-year ratification time limit and when the feminists could not get the job done in that time, an illegal extension was added and they STILL could not get the job done.
ERA Confirmed dead by Biden Administration .
Federal judge says deadline to ratify ERA 'expired long ago' in setback to advocates' efforts .
The Equal Rights Amendment died in 1979. Let it rest in peace .
More abortions with an ERA
But even as it potentially nullifies other laws protecting women, the Equal Rights Amendment would lead to a major expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion. While they try to dance around the issue in their public comments, liberal groups recognize the impact the ERA would have on their pro-abortion crusade."With its ratification," NARAL Pro-Choice America wrote in a since-deleted section of its website, "the ERA would reinforce the constitutional right to abortion by clarifying that the sexes have equal rights, which would require judges to strike down anti-abortion laws." From: It's too late to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and it would be harmful to women .
ACTION: PLEASE PLEASE contact these members of the committee and urge them to OPPOSE the new ERA effort.
Rep. Rush Bricken rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Rick Eldridge rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. John Gillespie rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Mary Littleton rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov .
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INDIAN GAMBLING TRIBAL TRUST LANDS:
SB 2557 by *Jackson - HB 1938 by *Hurt
Gambling - As introduced, recognizes a federally recognized Indian tribe residing on tribal trust lands within this state for purposes of obtaining a gaming license from the national Indian gaming commission to conduct bingo gaming operations on the tribal trust lands of the Indian tribe located within this state. [Note: this kind of bingo is not the 'game in the church basement", this is the machines like slot machines and very addictitive.]
INDIAN GAMBLING TRIBAL TRUST LANDS:
SB 1656 by *Jackson - HB 1642 by *Hurt
Gaming - As introduced, recognizes a federally recognized Indian tribe residing on tribal trust lands within this state for purposes of obtaining a gaming license from the national Indian gaming commission to conduct gaming operations on the tribal trust lands of the Indian tribe.
Both these bills would expand gambling in our state and there are real questions about what happens when state land is 'recognized' by the federal government. Does the state continue to have any jurisdiction over that section of the state? If so , would that mean, etc?
In addition to the unanswered questions, Tennessee does not need more gambling opportunities. We have already needed to expand services for gambling addicts which can mean broken people and broken homes.
STATUS: SB2557 and SB1656 are in Senate State and Local Government on Tuesday
STATUS: HB1938 is in House Department and Agencies on Tuesday and HB1642 is in State Government on Tuesday
ACTION: Please click on the committee links , then the pictures and ask the members to OPPOSE both these bills.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Michael Curcio
March 18, 2022
“Always quit when you want more.” As a football player, my dad gave me this advice. He wanted me to avoid burnout while preserving my passion for the work at hand. With this in mind, my family and I decided, over the summer of 2021, that this would be my last session. I am now announcing that I will not seek re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Ex-Sen. Robinson sentenced to time served, supervised release .
Registry refers Casada, Cothren probes to Williamson County prosecutor .
Report: Calfee says he heard Casada offer generalship during voucher impasse .
Governor Bill Lee Signs Joint Resolution Recognizing Mission America Foundation for Work Combating Human and Child Trafficking .
Tennessee Lawmakers Introduce Another Reform Likely To Be Viewed As A Model For Other States To Follow .
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