Apr 13, 2025
Bad News from TN General Assembly
SB0836/HB0793 that bars undocumented children from attending public schools passed the Senate (19 to 13) and is before the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee on Mon, Apr 14th. Sens. Briggs & Massey voted “no”; Sen. Hatcher voted “yes”.
A big rally is scheduled at Public Square Park, Union St & 3rd Ave N in Nashville tomorrow, Mon Apr 14th from 12-4PM CT in opposition to this bill. RSVP here.
A bill requiring public schools to teach that the keys to future success are to graduate high school; enter the workforce or pursue postsecondary education; marry and then have children passed both chambers and was sent to the governor.
SB1004/HB0990 passed the Senate and will be voted on by the full House Mon Apr 14th. It clarifies a few exceptions to the abortion ban but does not cover nonviable pregnancies or mental health conditions. It is in response to a court order and does not really add more exceptions. Sen. Briggs sponsored both this bill and a more comprehensive one, but the latter went nowhere.
A bill invalidating out-of-state driver licenses issued to undocumented immigrants passed both chambers and is headed to the governor. Having such a license will be a Class B misdemeanor.
HB0811/SB0227 that allows charitable organizations to be sued if they help an undocumented immigrant that later commits a crime passed in the Senate (Sens. Briggs, Hatcher & Massey voted “yes”) and the House Judiciary Committee, so will probably be voted on by the full House next week.
SB0392/HB0322 that criminalizes harboring or hiring an undocumented immigrant will be voted on by the full Senate Mon Apr 14th and is before the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee on Mon, Apr 14th.
A watered-down bill (HB0197/SB0217) that directs removal of property owned by unhoused folks camping along roadsides will be voted on by the full House on Mon, Apr 14th. $60 million to be used for enforcement was removed from the bill. It passed the Senate.
Good News from TN General Assembly
The House passed a bill (HB0533/SB0449) that protects birth control (including Plan B) and fertility treatments, and following a procedural vote in the Senate, it will be sent to the governor. This bill was sponsored by Sen. Massey & Rep. Rudder. Rep. Stinnett voted “No”; Rep. Moon & Sen. Hatcher voted “Yes”.
The bill limiting liability for companies manufacturing pesticides (e.g. RoundUp) was pushed back to 2026. See video posted on Threads here.
SB1227/HB1189 that allowed long guns to be carried and SB1407/HB0856, a stand-your-ground bill both failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
HB0347/SB0560 that specifies that the terms abandonment, abuse, severe abuse, and dependent and neglected child does not include simply being poor will be voted on by the full House on Mon, Apr 14th. It passed the Senate unanimously.
April 6
Bad News from TN General Assembly
HB0793/SB0836 that bans undocumented students from public schoolsadvanced in the Senate and is before the House Government Operations Committee on Mon April 7th.
SB1296/HB1314 that allows people to carry any type of gun (e.g. rifles, long guns) anywhere they want passed the Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee and is before the comparable House Committee on Tues April 8th.
HB910/SB861 that would abolish the TN Human Rights Commission is before the Senate Government Operations Committee and the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee on Wed April 9th.
A bill removing permit requirements for homemade dairy and poultry products passed the Senate.
SB1425/HB1425 sponsored by Sen. Briggs that would have allowed an abortion to be performed in the case of a fatal fetal anomaly failed in the Senate. Instead, amended SB1004/HB990 that expands conditions considered to increase the risk of pregnant women’s death goes to the Senate floor for a full vote tomorrow, April 7th.
SB527/HB809 that grants legal immunity to pesticide manufacturers for the impacts on human health passed the Senate and is before the House Judiciary Committee on Wed April 9th.
SB227/HB811 that allows nonprofits and other charitable organizations to be sued if an undocumented migrant they helped later commits a crime passed the Senate and is before the House Judiciary Committeeon Wed April 9th.
Good News from TN General Assembly
A bill that would have required proof of citizenship to send funds outside the USA failed in the House.
SB336/HB687 that removes requirements for persons convicted of certain felonies to pay all court costs to be eligible to vote, goes to the Senate floor for a full vote tomorrow April 7th. It was deferred in the House until 2026.
HB554/SB819 that would have opened law enforcement and elected officials up to civil lawsuits for infringing on the “right to bear arms” failed in the House.
Bill requiring undocumented immigrants to leave the state within 72 hours was deferred to 2026.
March 30
Bad News from TN General Assembly
HB0793/SB0836 that unconstitutionally bans undocumented students from public schools passed the House Education Committee and is on the Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on Tues Apr 1st.
HB0322/SB0392 that criminalizes housing, harboring or hiding an undocumented immigrant is before the House Judiciary Committee on Wed Apr 2nd.
HB0811/SB0227 threatens nonprofits and charitable organizations if they help undocumented migrants and they later commit a criminal offense. It is before the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wed Apr 2nd.
HB1020/SB0280 that increases qualified immunity for police officers who cause damage to property or persons passed the Senate and the House.
HB0177/SB187 that gives undocumented immigrants 72 hours to leave the state is moving forward and is before the House State & Local Government Committee on passed Wed Apr 2nd.
HB0541/SB0670 that would remove protections for 80% of the wetlands in TN passed the Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee and is before the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on Tues Apr 1st. See Action 2 below.
HB0809/SB0527 that provides legal immunity for pesticide manufacturers (such as cancer-causing RoundUp) passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is before the House Judiciary Committee on Wed Apr 2nd.
HB0910/SB0861 that abolishes the TN Human Rights Commissionpassed the Senate Government Operations Committee and is before the House Government House Operations Committee on Mon Mar 31st.
Good News from TN General Assembly
HB0145/SB0268 that forced students without Social Security numbers to pay tuition to public schools failed in the House Banking/Consumer Affairs Subcommittee. It is before the Senate State & Local Government Committee on Tues Apr 1st.
HB0736/SB1044 that forced all students to show documentation of immigration status or pay for schooling failed in the Senate Education Committee and was taken off notice in the House.
HB0947/SB1191 (Akilah’s Law) that criminalizes selling or transferring a gun to someone who has been institutionalized for mental illness passed through the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. It was filed by Rep. Shaundelle Brooks, whose son was killed at the Antioch Waffle House in 2018.. It is before the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wed Apr 2nd.
HJR0150 that seeks to study the impact of the Bradford pear tree on TN passed the House.
A bill to increased penalties for chemicals in contrails (which don’t exist) failed in the Senate.
A bill that would have banned use of food stamps to purchase soda and candy failed in the Senate.
March 23
Bad News from TN General Assembly
HB0064/SB0472 that requires all residential education programs to segregate bathrooms, changing rooms, etc. passed the House & Senate.
HB322/SB392 that criminalizes harboring or hiding undocumented immigrants advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
SB670 that would remove protections from >300,000 acres of wetlands in TN passed the Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee. It is before a House committee on Tues. See Action 3 below.
HB0120/SB1303 that criminalizes impeding or obstruction a member of protective services (e.g. governor’s or speaker’s security detail) or law enforcement passed both chambers.
Good News from TN General Assembly
HB0945 that would regulate healthcare providers of reproductive care failed in the House.
The bill that required driver’s license exams to be in English only failed.
The bill that banned fluoridization of public drinking water failed.
HB0746/SB1044 that would require any person enrolling a child in public school to present the child’s US birth certificate and proof of the parent’s US citizenship failed in the Senate Education Committee.
SB0449/HB0553 that protects fertility treatments and contraception passed the Senate.
March 9
TN Legislative Bad Bills. You can reach committees through this link. See petitions on TN bills below in Action 2.
HB793/SB836 that would require students in public schools to show proof of citizenship, and allow schools to bar them or charge tuitionpassed the Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee and is before the House K-12 Subcommittee on Tues. March 11th. It is a direct challenge to the US Constitution. See petition below.
HB0896/SB0880 that makes it harder to regulate chemicals in drinking water & handling of hazardous waste is before the House Agricultural & Natural Resources Committee on Wed. March 12th.
HB1143/SB0884 that defines natural gas as clean, renewable energy is before the Senate Energy, Ag & Natural Resources Committee on Wed. March 12th.
HB1322/SB1310 that allows charter schools to circumvent a school board if their application is denied is before the House Education Committee on Tues. March 11th and the Senate Education Committee on Wed. March 12th.
HB0693/SB0569 that allows a pharmacy administrative fee to be charged to women when they pick up birth control prescriptions passed the Senate is up for a full vote in the House on Mon. March 10th.
HB032/SB0392 that criminalizes providing safe harboring of undocumented immigrants is before the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wed. March 12th.
HB0729/SB0672 makes obstructing a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, etc. a Class E felony, with loss of voting rights, is before the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wed. March 12th.
HB0120/SB1303 that criminalizes getting near the governor’s or speaker’s security detail is up for a full vote in the House on Mon. March 10th.
HB0897/SB1141 stops adding fluoride to public water systems is before the House Ag & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Wed. March 12th.
HB0470/SB0226 allows any professional to refuse services based on their religious beliefs is before the House Business & Utilities Subcommittee on Wed. March 12th.
HB0132/SB0396 allows the legislature to overall the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency is before the House State & Local Government Committee on Wed. March 12th.
TN Legislative Good News
The bill eliminating parenteral responsibility for vaccinating children was shelved.
HB0315/SB0737 that created a covenant marriage between a man and woman was taken off notice.
HB0026/SB0194 that prohibits mailing of mifepristone into TN was taken off notice in the House and has not moved forward in the Senate.
HB0934/SB0732 that requires a person to belong to a political party to vote in a primary was taken off notice.
HB0039/SB0155 that requires LEAs to provide free feminine hygiene products to students is before the Senate Education Committee on Wed. March 12th and the House Education Committee on Tue. March 11th.
HB0169/SB0589 that allows 12-months of birth control to be filled at one time is before the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee on Tues. March 11th and on the House Insurance Committee on Wed. March 12th.
HB0533/SB0499 that protect IVF is before the Senate Health & Welfare Committee on Wed. March 13th and the House Population Health Subcommittee on Tues. March 11th.
Actions for Week of February 23, 2025
1. Oppose TN Bill HB0693 - This bill requires women to pay more for birth control by allowing an administrative fee be charged at pharmacies that will not be covered by insurance. The bill is before the Health Committee on Tuesday, Feb 25th. You can reach committee members through these links:
2. Support TN HB0018 – This bill creates a Temporary TennCare Benefits Program that extends TennCare to all adults 19-64 years of age who earn less than 138% of the federal poverty level, on a limited time basis. This bill is before the Insurance Committee on Wednesday, February 26th. Committee members are as follows:
a. rep.sabi.kumar@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-2860
b. rep.bob.freeman@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-0709
c. rep.yusuf.hakeem@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-2702
d. rep.esther.helton@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-1934
e. rep.renea.jones@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-7450
f. rep.kevin.raper@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-1350
g. rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-4400
h. rep.scott.cepicky@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-3005
i. rep.michael.hale@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-2192
j. rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-3831
k. rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov , 615-741-3774
l. rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-4575
m. rep.mike.sparks@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-6829
n. rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-0718
o. rep.timothy.hill@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-2050
p. rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-4110
q. rep.brock.martin@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-7478
r. rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-2534
s. rep.bryan.terry@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-2180
3. Petitions on Other TN Bills -
a. Through this link you can oppose TN HB0064 that requires all residential educational programs to segregate bathrooms, showers, and changing areas by sex at birth.
b. This petition opposes TN HJR7 a bill that would grant legal rights to embryos at fertilization. If passed, this measure would jeopardize access to IVF, contraception, and other essential reproductive health care.
Jan 26, 2025
Oppose School Voucher Bill – Even if you have already contacted TN Reps and Senators about the Education Freedom Act 2025 (HB001/SB001, please do so again. The projected cost of the vouchers is now $400 million. Here is a petition you can sign and contact information for legislators is provided below.
Jan 19, 2025
Contact TN State Reps & Senators About Voucher Bill – Gov. Lee has called a special session to begin January 27th. That week regular General Assembly committee meetings will be suspended and the legislature will take up three items from the governor: 1. The school voucher bill (Education Freedom Act 2025 HB001/SB001), 2. Disaster aid for East TN communities affected by Hurricane Helene, and 3. Measures to support 47’s desire to round up undocumented immigrants. The governor is trying to drum up support for the voucher bill by telling legislators that no money will be taken from public school budgets, but the promise is only for one year. In addition, Gov. Lee would allocate 80% of revenue from sports betting to pay for K-12 public school facilities and maintenance, which is money used for Hope Scholarships. Here are details of EFA and some problems with it.
The Blount and Knox County School Boards have voiced opposition to the school voucher bill and many city and county governments are following suit. Multiple rallies were held this past week against the bill. You can contact our County Commissioners through this link.
Rep. Stinnet and Sen. Hatcher have expressed opposition to the bill, while Rep. Moon is noncommittal. If you have not yet contacted our legislators, please do so. If you have contacted them, then consider also contacting Reps and Senators from surrounding districts. Phone numbers and email addresses for Representatives are here and for Senators are here. The more feedback they get from TN citizens, the better.
Jan 12, 2025
Contact TN State Reps & Senators About Voucher Bill– It appears that Gov. Lee intends to call a special legislative session for the end of the month for the purpose of passing his private school voucher bill, Education Freedom Act 2025 (HB001/SB001). By calling a special session, committee meetings are by passed and public input is minimized. He will probably only call for the session if he feels he has enough votes to pass the measure. The General Assembly opens Tuesday, Jan 14th. Now is the time to call and email your Reps and Senators with comments.
a. You can contact them through this secure link.
b. If you call them, here are some talking points.
c. Phone numbers and email addresses for Representatives are here and for Senators are here.Note that you will most likely speak only with their office assistants. Please be polite. These assistants are randomly assigned to legislators and are often sympathetic to us.
d. If you belong to an organization, also consider signing this letter.