Last week the legislature passed the state budget and several bills that had been on hold as caption bills began to move forward as the amendments to the bills were filed. This will likely be the last week of the regular legislative session and is a relatively light week. The House and Senate will be holding votes on Monday, followed by hearings on several bills that were on hold until the budget passed. Many of these bills try to undermine federal law, restrict local government and agencies, and interfere with the judiciary. These bills will probably move quickly to floor votes later in the week. This document, compiled by Indivisible TN, will help you contact your legislators. 

Monday Floor Votes, 5/3

HB575 – Limits powers and authority of county health departments.

HB928 - Enacts the “Tennessee Second Amendment Sanctuary Act” declaring any rule, executive order, or regulation of the U.S. government that violates the federal second amendment null, void, and unenforceable in the state and prohibits state government from using public resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with the federal rule, executive order, or regulation.

HB1027 -  Amendment to bill prohibits prescribing hormone treatment for transgender prepubescent minors. The TN Equality Project has an email campaign to help you contact your legislator. 

HB1406 – Requires law enforcement agencies to develop use of force policies; bans choke holds and no-knock warrants.

SB136 - Enacts the "CROWN Act: Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair" to define race and protective hairstyle for purposes of the Tennessee Human Rights Act.

SB457 – Requires members of Community Oversight Boards to complete citizen’s academy course within 6 months of appointment; removes authority of Board until all members comply. (House version filed by Glen Casada & has passed).

SB915 - Prevents city & local governments from challenging constitutionality of state legislation in court.

SB1334 – Amendment to bill prevents state & local govt officials from creating a firearm registry; creating a registry & transmitting it to the federal government is a Class E felony.

Monday Hearings

HB513 – Anti-protestor bill makes it a felony to block a highway, makes it an offense to throw something at, harass, or intimidate a person during a riot. House, Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee

HB1130 - Amendment to bill creates a statewide chancery court, consisting of three chancellors initially appointed by the Governor then elected in statewide election, who will hear cases related to constitutional issues. House, Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee

HB1143 - Increases, from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony, the penalty for a third or subsequent conviction of driving on a license that is canceled, suspended, or revoked. Could target minority and immigrant communities and disenfranchise voters. House Criminal Justice Committee

HB44/SB1257 - Funds social worker positions through the BEP at a ratio of one per 1,500 or fewer students. House, Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee, Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

HB537/SB581 – Requires the BEP formula to fund a school nurse position for every 750 students. House, Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee, Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

HB1001/SB371 – Requires the BEP formula to fund a full-time school counselor for every 250 students. House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee, Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

HB1039/SB1402 – Amendment to bill cuts the number of weeks unemployment benefits are paid to 12 weeks when the unemployment rate is 5.5% or less. House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee, Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

HB1134/SB284 - Increases, from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony, the penalty for a third or subsequent conviction of driving on a license that is canceled, suspended, or revoked. Could target minority and immigrant communities and disenfranchise voters. House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee, Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

HB6/SB229 – Establishes a program to award TN Promise scholarship completion grants to those with financial hardships. House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee, Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee