Jefferson County Commission Leads Way on State Sovereignty
Tennessee State Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) wants legislators to put their money where their mouth is by passing a bill aimed at creating a set of legal pathways for the citizens of Tennessee, or legislators, to exercise their authority to nullify certain federal overreach. She discussed this important issue at the Warren County Republican Party Meeting on July 22nd, 2024.
Legislation of this type would seem like a no-brainer since the general assembly enacted Senate Joint Resolution 9005 in October 2021 acknowledging Tennesseans’ right of nullification and the importance of state sovereignty under the U.S. Constitution and describing in great detail the necessity of keeping the federal government in its constitutional lane. To the dismay of constitutional conservatives, Governor Lee returned the resolution unsigned on November 22, 2021, the act taking effect without his approval.
Multiple Tennessee legislators took the next logical step to empower the state and its citizens to nullify federal overreach when they deemed it necessary.
Tennessee State Representative Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) expressed state sovereignty in House Bill 726, filed January 27, 2023, which defines federal overreach. It states in part, “Unconstitutional federal action” means a federal action enacted, adopted, or implemented without authority specifically delegated to the federal government by the people and the states through the United States Constitution.”
Reference: U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 8, enumerated federal powers.
Bowling filed a state sovereignty bill, a companion bill to Hulsey’s HB 726, in January 2023 in the 113th General Assembly, which was referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee for first consideration. The bill was supported by at least five county resolutions, the Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee, and over 12 patriotic grassroots organizations across the state. Bowling made an impassioned plea for passage, but when Senate Bill 1092 was moved by Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon), it did not receive a second and expired at the end of the legislative session for lack of action. Hulsey’s companion bill, supported by 14 co-sponsors, was taken off notice when the senate bill was rejected by the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
One of many county resolutions enacted in support of the Bowling/Hulsey state sovereignty legislation was sponsored by Jefferson County Commissioner Janet Norton (R-Dandridge) and 13 commission co-sponsors. Resolution 2023-48 was made on October 20, 2023.
At the county commission work session, “Making this resolution is the least we can do considering the federal overreach we are seeing at the local level. State legislators need our direction and support in getting this done.” said Commissioner Janet Norton.
The state sovereignty issue is far from over.
“I am grateful that Warren County Republicans are giving me the opportunity to discuss my bill on State Sovereignty. Our Founding Fathers knew that the federal government would have to be limited. They provided for our freedom from an overreaching federal government with the nullification provision. My intent is to provide five pathways to exercise our Constitutional provision of nullification.” Said Senator Janice Bowling
Danny Blitz with Tennessee Citizens for State Sovereignty (TNCSS) also provided commentary on the state sovereignty and nullification of federal overreach bill. Blitz has extensive knowledge of the issue and serves as the TNCSS County Leader for White County.
For more detailed information on TNCSS, state sovereignty, copies of resolutions mentioned in this report, and many other resources, a link is provided here. TN Citizens for State Sovereignty (TNCSS) – Home (weebly.com)
A version of this article was published by the Tennessee Conservative News on October 23, 2023.
David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level.
