State Representative Jeremy Faison Responds To The Passage Of The IMPROVE Act
This week in Nashville, members of the Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 534, the “Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads, and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy (IMPROVE) Act” — a proposal that Governor Bill Haslam introduced in January that raises the gas and diesel tax and implements a series of other fees in an effort to […]
IMPROVE Act Passes House Of Representatives
This week, members of the Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 534, the “Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads, and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy (IMPROVE) Act” — a proposal that Governor Bill Haslam introduced in January in an effort to help fund the state’s $10 billion backlog of road construction projects. House Bill 534 is a […]
Tennesseans Celebrate Music and Financial Literacy at the State Capitol
This week, over 100 state leaders from across the state gathered for a reception and dinner at the Tennessee State Capitol to celebrate financial literacy and the work of the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission (TNFLC). Governor Bill Haslam, Speaker Beth Harwell, Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, legislators, business leaders and supporters of the Commission joined […]
TDH Partners with Coaches to Reduce Violence
Athletic coaches play an influential role in the lives of young athletes and are often in a position to positively influence how their athletes think and behave both on and off the field or court. The Tennessee Department of Health is now partnering with coaches to implement the “Coaching Boys into Men” program as part […]
Bill Aimed At Safeguarding Personal Information Of Tennessee Tourists Moves Forward
On Monday, lawmakers unanimously approved legislation that safeguards the personal information of Tennessee tourists who visit state parks by restricting access to the personal information of park guests. Under current law, Tennessee state parks must disclose personal information of its guests when it receives a public records request, because there is no exemption protecting this […]
House Republicans Pass Legislation Strengthening Tennessee Campaign Finance Laws
The full House passed legislation this week to strengthen Tennessee campaign finance laws, with House Republicans leading the charge to require funds donated to a campaign be deposited and maintained in a traditional bank or credit union account insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Current statute allows campaign funds to be invested in […]
Legislation Stiffens Penalties Against Felons With Firearms
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved major legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) yesterday to enact tougher sentences for violent felons in possession of firearms. The legislation continues Norris’ series of anti-crime laws dubbed “Crooks with Guns” passed over the last decade to curb gun-related violence and focus resources on keeping violent criminals […]
House Approves Legislation Protecting Identities Of Minors In Crime Situations
Earlier this month, House lawmakers unanimously approved legislation designed to protect the identities of Tennessee minors who fall victim to crimes, especially those that are sexual in nature. House Bill 344 protects the identities of minors in a crime situation, unless a court waives confidentiality at the request of the victim’s parent or legal guardian. […]
State Senators Approve Bills Aiding the Families of Law Enforcement Officers and Emergency Responders Who Are Killed in the Line of Duty
The Senate State and Local Government Committee approved two bills this week aiding the families of law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 1059, sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma), calls for a $250,000 death benefit from the State of Tennessee for any firefighter, volunteer rescue worker, or law […]
Broadband Accessibility Act Clears Additional Key Legislative Hurdle
House Bill 529, the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act, cleared an additional key legislative hurdle this week after gaining unanimous approval from the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee. As introduced, the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act seeks to expand broadband internet services across the state, especially to Tennessee’s rural areas that currently completely lack coverage. Tennessee […]
Rep. Andy Holt Introduces Bill to Reform Legislative Reception Excess
Representative Andy Holt (R-Dresden) announced Tuesday that the State Government Subcommittee will hold a hearing on HB 1007, which he intends to amend to prohibit closed-door legislative receptions funded by taxpayer dollars. Rep. Holt describes his legislation as a “first step” towards untangling the web of taxpayer-funded spending on lobbyists: “I can’t sit here in […]
House Leaders Advance Legislation Establishing Long-Term Care For Those With Autism Spectrum Disorder
This week, members of the House Health Committee advanced legislation that that would establish a long-term system of care for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. House Bill 384 establishes the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder. This 16-person advisory council would make recommendations and provide leadership in program development regarding matters […]
House Republicans Honor Fallen TBI Special Agent With Passage Of House Bill 482
A bill sponsored by House Republicans honoring fallen Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Special Agent De’Greaun Reshun Frazier unanimously passed in the House Chamber this week. House Bill 482 designates the future home of the TBI Crime Lab & Consolidated Headquarters in Madison County to be named the ‘Special Agent De’Greaun ReShun Frazier TBI Crime […]
New Law Will Allow School Personnel To Assist Students During Adrenal Crisis
This week, lawmakers passed legislation to give school personnel the ability to administer lifesaving medical treatment to Tennessee students suffering from adrenal insufficiency caused by conditions like Addison’s disease. House Bill 121 permits any properly trained school employee to administer a lifesaving injection as a form of medical treatment to students who are suffering from […]
Second Meeting Of Legislative Task Force On Opioid Abuse Kicks Off At East Tennessee State University
This week at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), the second meeting of the legislative task force on opioid and prescription drug abuse kicked off. House Speaker Beth Harwell helped lead the discussion with stakeholders from across the state who attended the meeting to speak out about Tennessee’s growing drug epidemic. Dr. Robert Pack, director of […]
Legislation To Help Adults Without A Degree Access Higher Education Moves Forward In House
Legislation spearheaded by House Republicans to help adults without a degree access higher education moved forward this week after getting a positive nod from the House Government Operations Committee. House Bill 531, named the Tennessee Reconnect Act, would make Tennessee the first state in the nation to offer all Tennessee adults without a degree access […]
