House Republicans Seek Changes To Legislative Per Diem

Legislation will save taxpayer dollars and streamline state government

A bill that seeks to change the way per diems are granted to lawmakers in the Tennessee General Assembly moved out of the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee this week. House Bill 80 will eliminate the lodging reimbursement for members living within a 50-mile radius of the Capitol. Currently, all members of the General Assembly are paid $173 per day which is the federal per diem rate. The money is used to cover lodging, food, and other costs.

Since 1984, the legislature has used the federal per diem rate. In addition, the state law which provides for the reimbursement of per diem is not a permissive statute, meaning reimbursement is not optional.

The House Republican sponsor said the proposal eliminates the automatic reimbursement for lodging and will save taxpayer money, while continuing efforts to reform state government. Lawmakers also say the proposal is a more business-like approach that voters expect and deserve.

The legislation will face the full House Finance, Ways and Means Committee next week. If that committee approves the bill, it will next be up for a vote by the full House of Representatives.