Legislative Update, April 2, 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:
The 'days dwindle down to a precious few' (if you remember that song). When they start Floor Sessions on Wednesdays, you know the effort to complete the work is on the horizon and prayer is definitely needed. Also, Rep. John Mark Windle lost his father recently and Rep. Rebecca Alexander had surgery. Please remember these legislators and their families.
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ETHAN'S CORNER:
This past Tuesday, We were very busy informing representatives and senators about certain bills that we want passed, and certain bills that we don't. I was very impressed by Rep. Garrett's opposition to the ERA resolution, and we spent a lot of the day trying to hunt him down and thank him! During Senate Judiciary, the cannabis commission bill, which seemed to have strong support in the house, stayed in committee because it didn't get a second.We also heard SB 2841, which had an impressive seventy co-sponsors. This bill creates new offenses for sexual assault, and enforces harsh consequences. Senator Bowling also introduced a great bill, which expands the offense of unlawful photography to include inappropriate photographs taken without the consent of the subject, with the intent of harassing, or humiliating the subject. It was a busy day, and I look forward to my return.
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TRINITY'S CORNER:
It was another incredible week being with Ms. Bobbie at Cordell Hull. I sat in on many interesting committee meetings this Wednesday. While we were in the House Civil Justice Committee, drama broke out regarding HB 2538. It was surprising to witness the drama and the discussion between the legislators surrounding the bill. Also, while in the Civil Justice Committee, I got to see HB 2316 get passed. This bill concerned transgender men competing in women's sports. There was a powerful testimony from a high school girl that made the bill hit home and confirmed the urgency needed in passing the bill. Every week I am at Cordell Hull with Ms. Bobbie, I learn something new. Being Ms. Bobbie's intern has been such an incredible opportunity. I am looking forward to meeting more amazing people and learning more in the coming weeks.
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I saw this sign on the desk of a legislator. Well, this is that SEASON for sure. I heard comments from a number of legislators this week about their bills being killed and from a number of other lobbyists also. That is another sign that the legislators are eager to adjourn .
DENTISTS TREATING STDS??
SB 2026 by *Powers - HB 2032 by *Ramsey
Dentists and Dentistry - As introduced, requires the board of dentistry to make semi-annual reports, instead of an annual report, of its proceedings and activities to the governor, with copies to be made available to any interested parties
STATUS: As AMENDED, based on present law, TCA Section 68-10-104( c ): ... "treat minors infected with STDs without the knowledge or consent", it appeared that the Dentist could give the HPV vaccine to minors w/o parental permission. Another amendment suddenly appeared saying it would require parental permission. However, after much debate over two meetings, thankfully, this terrible idea was TAKEN OFF NOTICE.
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"WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT" EXPANSION:
SB 0148 by *Briggs - HB 0946 by *Ramsey
Public Health - As introduced, establishes a deadline of January 1 for the submission of the annual plan of expenditures with relation to state grant-in-aid funds submitted by each county to the commissioner of health
STATUS: As AMENDED, this text is added to present law, TCA Section 68-10-104( c ): "...or provide consultation, examination, diagnosis, or treatment to a minor to prevent STDs...". Stop and think how loaded those words could be and what that might mean regarding what health care providers could do to/for YOUR child WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT.
THE REST OF THE STORY ABOUT SB946-HB148-- PLEASE READ!! .
ACTION: HB0946 is in House Health Committee Wednesday. Please contact these legislators and URGE him/her to OPPOSE this legislation.
Rep. Tom Leatherwood rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Rebecca Alexander rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Clark Boyd rep.clark.boyd@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. David Byrd rep.david.byrd@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Ron Gant rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Esther Helton rep.esther.helton@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Tim Hicks rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, Rep. Paul Sherrell rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Sam Whitson rep.sam.whitson@capitol.tn.gov , Rep. Ryan Williams rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov ,
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PROTECTING WOMEN'S SPORTS:
SB 2153 by *Hensley - HB 2316 by *Ragan
Education - As introduced, prohibits males from participating in public higher education sports that are designated for females; creates a cause of action for violations that deprive a student of an athletic opportunity or that cause direct or indirect harm to a student at the middle school, high school, or postsecondary level
STATUS: SB2153 passed Senate Education 8-1 and is on the way to the Senate Floor. HB2316 scheduled in House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday.
ACTION: Please click on the committee link, then the picture to see the phone number or send an email asking for support for this important bill.
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STUDENT'S SEX AT BIRTH AND SPORTS:
SB 1861 by *Hensley - HB 1895 by *Ragan , CEPICKY, WEAVER, ZACHARY, GRILLS, TODD, COCHRAN
Education - As introduced, requires the commissioner of education to withhold a portion of the state education finance funds that an LEA is otherwise eligible to receive if the LEA fails or refuses to determine a student's gender, for purposes of participation in school sports, by the student's sex at the time of birth; exempts an LEA that fails or refuses to determine a student's gender, for purposes of participation in school sports, by the student's sex at the time of birth if the LEA's failure or refusal to do so is required by a court or other legally binding order.
STATUS: As AMENDED, HB1895 passed the House Floor 66-22. SB1861 passed Senate Education 8-1 and will soon be on the Senate Floor.
ACTION: Please be in touch with your Senator and ask him/her to support this bill.
Bill to Withhold Funds from Schools That Allow Transgender Athletes Passes Tennessee House .
ASSURING THE ACCESS TO IVERMECTIN:
SB 2188 by *Niceley - HB 2746 by *Lynn , WEAVER, MOODY, RUDD, WARNER, GRIFFEY, GRILLS, SPARKS
Drugs, Over the Counter - As introduced, authorizes ivermectin suitable for human use to be sold or purchased as an over-the-counter medication in this state without a prescription or consultation with a pharmacist or certain other healthcare professional.
STATUS: I am so pleased to let you know that AS AMENDED, SB2188 will soon be on the Senate Floor and HB2746 will be on the House Floor.
ACTION: You will want to contact YOUR Senator and YOUR House member and urge him/her to vote FOR this VERY IMPORTANT BILL.
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ARTICLE V CONVENTION FOR TERM LIMITS:
HJR0008 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.
Yes - you are right. It seems as if this Resolution goes on and on and it does. It has been deferred four times in Senate Judiciary. HJR008 is number 37 in the FINAL CALENDAR.
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.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE:
Grand jury hears from lawmakers, staffers .
BIG CHANGES COMING THIS ELECTION:
HOUSE
— District 24: Mark Hall (R-Cleveland). Running for the state Senate.
— District 26: Robin Smith (R-Hixson). Resigned after pleading guilty to federal charge.
— District 32: Kent Calfee (R-Kingston).
— District 35. Jerry Sexton (R-Bean Station).
— District 52: Mike Stewart (D-Nashville).
— District 59: Jason Potts (D-Nashville).
— District 61: Brandon Ogles (R-Franklin).
— District 63: Glen Casada (R-Franklin). Running for Williamson County Clerk and under federal investigation.
— District 67: Jason Hodges (D-Clarksville).
— District 69: Michael Curcio (R-Dickson).
— District 71: David Byrd (R-Waynesboro).
— District 75: Bruce Griffey (R-Paris). Running for circuit judge.
— District 79: Curtis Halford (R-Dyer).
— District 91: London Lamar (D-Memphis). Appointed to Senate vacancy and running for the upper chamber.
SENATE
— District 9: Mike Bell (R-Riceville).
— District 31: Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown). Under federal indictment.
— District 33: Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis). Ousted following federal fraud conviction.
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