Tennessee General Assembly information, click HERE. For information on State Senators, including phone numbers and email addresses, click HERE; for House members, click HERE. For information on legislation, click HERE.
Don’t forget that you can now watch the Senate committee meetings and floor sessions online by going HERE; House committee meetings and floor sessions online HERE.
Phone calls can go to the legislative Switchboard at 615-741-3011 or to the Toll Free number 1-800-449-8366+1 last four digits of office phone number (available online).
DON’T KNOW WHO YOUR SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE IS?
Just go HERE and you can find out!!
POPULARITY is the pocket change of life, COURAGE is the hard currency.
Charlton Heston
FOR YOUR PRAYER LIST:
Please take seriously the responsibility we have to pray for those who are in authority. Keep in mind that we have over seven million people in our state. Voters have elected 132 of those men and women to come to Nashville to do the business of the state. What an honor and what a responsibility. We owe it to them and to ourselves to pray for God’s oversight and direction on every decision they make.
JOEL’S CORNER:
This week I started to notice that the session is starting to ramp up. All the legislators and lobbyists are stuck between 10 different tasks at once, and it is becoming more difficult to catch the lawmakers in their offices. From what I’ve heard, this will only get worse as the session goes on. I have a new appreciation for everyone in this field as most of them are very good at multitasking while also keeping their heads on straight.
NICK’S CORNER:
This week at the Tennessee State Capitol, I along with Ms. Bobbie, was able to be a voice of unity amidst great division and controversial topics. We advocated for bills based on Biblical principles and watched as bills that are going to bless the state of Tennessee move forward in their process. I left Ms. Bobbie and my time at the State Legislature this week motivated by influential people, inspired by people with their eyes set on Christ, and empowered to be a voice for positive hope and change.
DEFINITELY THE BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK:
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 21, 2024, BY ERIK SCHELZIG
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speak to reporters following a school voucher announcement in Nashville on Nov. 28, 2023. (Credit: State of Tennessee)
Gov. Bill Lee’s universal voucher bill is finally coming to light in the form of a Senate amendment released Wednesday.
The seven-page amendment sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, establishes that the new Education Freedom Scholarships could be used for tuition, textbooks, tutoring services, transportation and computers. Current enrollees on the Education Savings Account program in Davidson, Shelby, and Hamilton counties would not be eligible. The voucher money would not be allowed to be paid directly from the state to the parent.
The amendment closely mirrors the one that was inadvertently filed earlier this session before being hastily withdrawn. The bill does not include several initiatives House Republicans have expressed interest in adding, such as giving high-performing public schools a break from what they consider onerous state regulations.
As The Journal reported last week, the House changes could include giving high schools a choice between ACT exams and end-of-course assessments, requiring fewer evaluations for highly rated teachers and adding maintenance costs to the school funding formula. The lower chamber could also seek a ban on “pop-up” private schools from being eligible for the state tuition subsidy and give schools the option of participating in national or state assessments of students in the voucher program (but make no such requirement for the
student body as a whole).
The Senate has been working on its own amendatory language, which would include accountability measures and drawing the voucher funding from the existing school funding formula rather than creating a new mechanism through general fund.
THEA’s White Paper Position on Education Savings Accounts
Tennessee Home Education Association
White Paper: Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act
Created by THEA Task Force
Approved by THEA Board of Directors
WKRN: NEWS CHANNEL 2
Lawmakers in Tenn. House, Senate, Governor’s office have differing visions for private school voucher scholarship .
EDUCATION FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP ACT:
SB2787 Johnson – HB2468 Lamberth
Education – As introduced, requires the department of education to study the school choice programs available in other states and to submit a report of the department’s findings at the conclusion of the study to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Speaker of the Senate no later than January 1, 2025. – Amends TCA Title 49
STATUS:
You will recall that the bill filed was a ‘caption bill’, meaning it is just a ‘place holder’. The actual language was not agreed on. Well, it seems that the FIRST official language will be presented in the Senate and House committees this coming week. There is a link above to the language. Also above is the White Paper from the TN Home Education Association outlining their concerns. This is a very serious issue and must be read and followed closely to see what actually comes out of the debate.
SB 2787 is in Senate Education on Wednesday, Feb 28. HB2468 is in the House K-12 Subcommittee on Tuesday, Feb 27. Let the ‘sausage making’ begin!!
REQUIREMENT OF GLOBAL POSITIONING MONITORING DEVICE
SB 1972 by *Rose – HB 2692 by *Doggett, HARDAWAY, TOWNS
Domestic Violence – As introduced, requires the court to order an offender to wear a global positioning monitoring system device under certain circumstances unless the court finds the offender no longer poses a threat to the alleged victim or public safety; specifies that a cellular device application or electronic receptor device provided to the victim must be capable of notifying the victim if the offender is within a prescribed proximity of the victim’s cellular device or electronic receptor device; requires a county or municipality utilizing global positioning monitoring system devices to enter into a written agreement with a qualified contract service provider; removes civil and criminal liability under certain circumstances. – Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40, Chapter 11 and Title 55, Chapter 10
Lawmakers on domestic violence GPS bill: ‘This is one of the most consequential legislations we will pass’.
STATUS: HB2692 passed the Criminal Justice Committee and is in House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday with a significant fiscal note.
ACTION: Would you please click HERE , then click on a picture, and contact at least four committee members and URGE him or her to vote YES on this very important bill.
STATUS: SB1972 is scheduled in Senate Judiciary on Tuesday.
Sen. Todd Gardenhire – (615) 741-6682 – sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Dawn White (615) 741-6853 sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Sara Kyle – (615) 741- 4167 sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. London Lamar – (615) 741-2509 – sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Jon Lundberg – (615) 741-5761 – sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Kerry Roberts (615) 741-4499 sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. John Stevens – (615) 741-4576 – sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Brent Taylor(615) 741-3036 sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov
REDESIGNED TEMPORARY DRIVER LICENSES
SB 2568 by *Taylor, Rose, Johnson, Yager – HB 2034 by *Barrett , RICHEY, CAPLEY, FRITTS, GRILLS, TODD, DOGGETT, FAISON, ZACHARY, COCHRAN, MARTIN B, BRICKEN, BUTLER
Driver Licenses – As introduced, requires the department of safety to redesign temporary driver licenses and permits and temporary photo identification licenses issued to qualified noncitizens so that the licenses may be easily distinguished from driver and photo identification licenses issued to residents of this state who are United States citizens; reduces from eight years to two years the maximum period of time for which a temporary license or permit may be issued. – Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50
STATUS: SB2568 WAS POSTPONED LAST WEEK and is scheduled in Senate Transportation on Wednesday.
ACTION: Please contact committee members to support this important bill.
Sen. Becky Duncan Massey – (615) 741-1648 – sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Mark Pody – 615) 741-2421 sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Paul Bailey – (615) 741-3978 – sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Janice Bowling – (615) 741-6694 – sen.janice.bowling@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Richard Briggs – (615) 741-1766 – sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Frank Niceley – (615) 741-2061 sen.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Bill Powers – (615) 741-2374 – sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov
STATUS: HB2034 WAS POSTPONED LAST WEEK and is scheduled in House Transportation Subcommittee on March 6.
ACTION: Please contact committee members to support this important bill.
Rep. Sam Whitson rep.sam.whitson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dale Carr rep.dale.carr@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Tandy Darby rep.tandy.darby@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Patsy Hazelwood rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dan Howell rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Pat Marsh rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Lowell Russell rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Paul Sherrell rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Greg Vital rep.greg.vital@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dave Wright rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov
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SAFETY TRAINING FOR STUDENTS:
SB 2923 by *Bailey – HB 2882 by *Todd
Education, Curriculum – As introduced, requires, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each local education agency and public charter school to provide students with age-appropriate and grade-appropriate instruction on firearm safety. – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6
STATUS: HB2882 is on the House Floor on Monday. Please click HERE, find your House member (if you know others, call them too) and urge him or her to support this very important protective legislation.
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GOVERNMENT GRANTED RIGHTS?
SB 2749 by *Haile – HB 2936 by *Faison
Children – As introduced, enacts the “Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act.” – Amends TCA Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68.
STATUS: SB2749 is in Senate Judiciary on Tuesday. We have some real concerns about this legislation, but we understand it is being rewritten, so we will withhold judgment for now.
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PROTECTING BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS:
SB 0596 by *Pody , Bowling, Hensley, Haile – HB 0878 by *Fritts , CAPLEY, BULSO, TODD, RUDD, MOON, HULSEY, RICHEY, BUTLER, MCCALMON, RAGAN, LYNN, MOODY, SLATER, ZACHARY, BARRETT, HOWELL, CEPICKY
Marriage – As introduced, states that a person is not required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person’s conscience or religious beliefs.
VERY INTERESTING: This bill was filed in 2023, amended [ (m) A person shall not be required to solemnize a marriage.] and passed the House 74-22. On Feb 6, 2024, it was heard in Senate Judiciary and passed 7-2. Went to the Senate floor Feb 12, where it passed 27-5. The Governor signed it on February 21st.
Governor Lee Signs Marriage Bill Protecting Religious Convictions
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UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
SJR 0870 by *Hensley, Stevens, Yager
General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position – Expresses support for State of Israel and condemns recent attacks on Israel.
STATUS: Good news – SJR870 passed the Senate floor 29-2-1 and moved to the House.
ACTION: Please contact your House member and urge him or her to vote YES on this important resolution.