Speakers Create and Appoint Blue Ribbon Task Force on Juvenile Justice
Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) and Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) this week announced the formation of the Joint Ad Hoc Tennessee Blue Ribbon Task Force on Juvenile Justice. The task force will be co-chaired by Speaker Harwell and Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville). The task force will study, evaluate, analyze, and undertake a comprehensive review of the state’s […]
Norris Appointed to Lead Tennessee Blue Ribbon Task Force on Juvenile Justice
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has been appointed to co-chair Tennessee’s new Juvenile Justice Realignment Task Force that will undertake a comprehensive review of the state’s juvenile justice system. The announcement regarding the formation of the task force, which is comprised of top leaders from all three branches of Tennessee government, was made by […]
AG Slatery Urges President Trump to Protect Individual Rights from Federal Overreach
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III is joining a coalition of 16 state attorneys general in asking President Trump to lead a regulatory reform effort to protect individual rights from regulatory overreach. In a signed letter to President Trump, the coalition, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, says reforms are necessary to bring the […]
New Law Will Enable Tennessee To Draw Additional Federal Funds To Help Local Ambulance Services
Major legislation that will enable Tennessee to draw additional federal funds to help local ambulance services continue to transport patients was recently signed into law by Governor Bill Haslam. The new law, sponsored by Senate State and Local Government Committee Chairman Ken Yager (R-Kingston), is expected to bring in approximately $19.7 million in federal funds […]
Tennessee Joins $18.5 Million Settlement with Target Corporation over 2013 Data Breach
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today announced Tennessee has joined 46 other states and the District of Columbia in an $18.5 million settlement with Target Corporation to resolve the states’ investigation into the retail company’s 2013 data breach. The settlement represents the largest ever multistate data breach settlement. The states’ investigation, led by Connecticut […]
Representative Andrew Farmer Appointed To National Law, Criminal Justice, & Public Safety Committee
State Representative Andrew Farmer (R–Sevierville) has been appointed to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Law, Criminal Justice, and Public Safety Committee by the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, Beth Harwell. The NCSL Law, Criminal Justice, and Public Safety Committee addresses underlying principles for a balanced state-federal system and takes policy positions […]
Rep. Jeremy Faison: Under Conservative Leadership, Tennessee Is A Better Place To Live, Work, And Raise A Family
Under Conservative Leadership, Tennessee Is A Better Place To Live, Work, And Raise A Family – 365,500 net new private sector jobs created since 2011 – Passed tort reform, overhauled workers’ comp, and TODAY MORE TENNESSEANS HAVE A JOB THAN AT ANY POINT IN STATE HISTORY Cut nearly three times as much in taxes as […]
Haslam Signs Tennessee Reconnect Act
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam made history May 24, 2017, as he signed the Tennessee Reconnect Act, making Tennessee the first state in the nation to offer all citizens – both high school graduates and adults – the chance to earn a postsecondary degree or certificate free of tuition and fees and at no cost to […]
Fiscally Conservative Balanced Budget Passed By House Of Representatives
In the final week of this year’s legislative session, the House of Representatives passed the state’s annual budget bill with an 83 – 2 vote. The bill’s passage was the culmination of months of tireless work crafting a fiscally responsible and balanced plan for Tennessee’s future. The $37 billion budget cuts taxes, puts $132 million […]
Republicans Focus On Jobs, Education, Infrastructure; Adjourn In Timely Manner
Early in the afternoon on May 10, lawmakers wrapped up the first half of the 110th General Assembly, focusing efforts on passing commonsense legislative initiatives to aid both immediate and long-term economic development in Tennessee’s private sector. Measures to empower teachers, reinvigorate the state’s education system, and improve infrastructure to make Tennessee an attractive destination […]
Department Of Environment & Conservation Announces Upcoming Transportation Awards And Forum
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Tennessee Clean Fuels, announced this week they will hold the third annual Tennessee Transportation Awards and Forum during Clean Air Month from May 23-24 at the Nashville Public Library. The event will bring together state experts, local leaders, and […]
General Assembly Creates Additional Protections Against Child Predators
House members unanimously passed legislation this week to create additional protections against child predators. Communities across Tennessee already rely on the state’s sex offender registry to track and monitor convicted offenders who have moved into permanent residences upon release from prison. House Bill 404 enables law enforcement officials to monitor offenders convicted of child rape […]
House Lawmakers Encourage Tennessee Students To Celebrate Freedom
This week, House lawmakers passed legislation that helps Tennessee students learn the principles of freedom in our nation’s founding documents. House Bill 287 designates the week of September 17 as “Celebrate Freedom Week” in Tennessee public schools. The week-long celebration will coincide with Constitution Day each September 17 and help students learn more about the […]
New Legislation Allows American Sign Language To Satisfy Foreign Language Requirements
This week, Republican lawmakers passed legislation that allows American Sign Language to be used to satisfy foreign language requirements in Tennessee high schools. House Bill 462, known as the American Sign Language bill, was initiated by Molly Ridgeway — a nonverbal student at Maryville College — and her boyfriend, Joshua Anderson. The legislation allows any […]
2017-2018 Budget Amendment Introduced
This week, Governor Bill Haslam introduced his amendment to the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget proposal that will be considered by the 110th General Assembly in the coming days. The appropriations amendment tracks closely to the Governor’s original budget proposal presented to the legislature on January 30, which for the second year in a row does […]
Senate Approves Legislation Calling For One Full Semester of Tennessee History in State’s Public Schools
The Senate unanimously approved a bill Monday evening that would require Tennessee’s public schools to go back to teaching at least one full semester of Tennessee history. Senate Bill 631, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin), is named for the late Senator Douglas Henry, who was a great devotee of Tennessee history and who […]
