House Approves Legislation Protecting Identities Of Minors In Crime Situations
Earlier this year, 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. […]
Bill Aimed At Safeguarding Personal Information Of Tennessee Tourists Moves Forward
Earlier in the year, 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 […]
House Republicans Pass Legislation Strengthening Tennessee Campaign Finance Laws
The full House passed legislation this year 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 […]
Resolution To Honor Blind Citizens, American History Receives Committee Approval
In March, the House approved legislation to honor Tennessee’s blind citizens as well as American history by passing House Joint Resolution 88. As approved, the legislation calls for a braille American flag to be displayed in the new Cordell Hull legislative office building, which the General Assembly is set to move into later this year. […]
Lawmakers, Farmers Celebrate Annual ‘Ag Day On The Hill’ Event
House lawmakers joined with farmers and agriculture groups from across the state in April to celebrate Tennessee’s annual ‘Ag Day on the Hill’ event at the Legislative Plaza in Nashville. Governor Bill Haslam has also proclaimed the date ‘Agriculture Day’ as part of the annual national observance to recognize the important contributions of farmers and […]
New Law Will Allow School Personnel To Assist Students During Adrenal Crisis
Earlier this year, 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 […]
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 year. 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 […]
FSIS Provides PRO Grilling Tips for Summer Barbecues
From Fourth of July cookouts to entertaining visiting relatives, summertime is a season that brings together loved ones and lots of food. This summer, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is providing tips on how to “Grill Like a PRO” during your outdoor festivities. Keeping your family and loved ones safe from foodborne illness […]
Tennessee Business Expansions On Rise Across State
In 2016, Tennessee was named State of the Year for Economic Development by Southern Business & Development Magazine based on project totals and the variety of industries that invested in the state and created jobs. So far in 2017, Tennessee is well on its way to living up to this recognition, with multiple major job […]
Legislature Moves Forward With Confirmation Of University Governing Boards
Earlier this year, the legislature moved forward with the confirmation of 48 appointments to Tennessee’s new university governing boards, giving the higher education institutions involved increased autonomy to support student success as the state continues its Drive to 55 initiative: the goal of getting 55 percent of Tennesseans equipped with a college degree or certificate […]
Tennessee Treasury Returns Record Amount Of Unclaimed Property To Tennesseans In 2016
The Tennessee Treasury Department returned a record amount of unclaimed property in 2016 to Tennesseans across the state, marking a 28% increase over the prior year. In total, 41,827 claims were processed in 2016, totaling more than $34 million with an average claim amount of $817. Unclaimed property is money that has been turned over […]
Tennessee Names First Female State Architect
Earlier this year, the State Building Commission voted unanimously to appoint Ann McGauran as Tennessee State Architect. With the appointment, McGauran becomes the first woman to serve the state in this capacity since the position was first created in 1955. McGauran is a senior architect with more than 25 years of architectural and project management […]
Budget Passes As Recommended With No Property Tax Increase
Fiscal year 2016/17 will close on July 1st and the new fiscal year will begin, thanks to the passage of the 2017/18 budget that came as a recommendation from the Jefferson County Budget Committee to the full Commission body at Thursday evening’s County Commission voting meeting. Despite a budget season that contained what began as […]
Tennessee Film Industry Stakes Claim As National Leader
Over the last several years, movie and television production from within the state has cast Tennessee onto the national and international stage, exposing audiences from around the world to the many benefits Tennessee has to offer. In the process, the film and production industry has played a major role in boosting the state economy, employing […]
House Speaker Beth Harwell Creates Legislative Task Force On Opioid Abuse
Earlier this year, House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) created a task force on opioid and prescription drug abuse. The task force’s immediate goal was to work on legislation for the year, but its efforts will be ongoing to determine the best strategies for tackling the opioid epidemic. Tennessee is consistently ranked at the top of the […]
Workshops on FSA Committee Elections and Programs
The Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County Farm Service Agency will conduct a workshop at the Jefferson County Extension Office conference room on Tuesday, July 11 at 10:00 am. The Extension Office is located at 1111 Lake Drive, Dandridge. How to submit a nomination and voters eligibility will be reviewed at the workshop. Current FSA Farm Programs will be […]
