What's New on the Hill - March 24, 2023
⛈️ Friends, there is a threat for severe weather across middle Tennessee tonight. As always, stay safe and please be aware of predicted weather alerts!
Paid Choice Lanes in Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee’s $3.3 billion roads infrastructure bill The Transportation Modernization Act passed through the Senate 26-6 and is now heading to the House.
The new system termed “Paid Choice Lanes” will add these optional lanes to congested Tennessee highways that will allow drivers to pay a fee for a faster and more reliable commute. The idea is to reduce congestion on the regular lanes and provide an alternative for those who are willing to pay for it. Drivers can use an app or an electronic transponder to pay for access to these lanes. The fee varies depending on the level of congestion and the distance traveled, and it is charged per mile. The lanes are marked with signs and separated from the regular lanes by barriers or painted lines.
This market-based solution gives Tennesseans a choice to reduce their commute time, solves growing traffic concerns on highways, while generating revenue for the state.
Calling all General Assembly
Intern Alumni
We are so excited to celebrate the 50th intern class of the General Assembly on April 5 at the Cordell Hull Building. Harris Frazier owes a great deal of our success to the talented individuals who have come through the Legislative Internship program.
Professionally, many of us would not be where we are today without the experience and skills we gained during our time as interns. And let's not forget the fun we had along the way!
Your contribution to the General Assembly's legacy is immeasurable, and we hope to see many of the TN Legislative Intern participants there to celebrate this milestone with us!
Nashville Post - "The organization hosted its annual winter meeting, legislator reception and day on the hill
The Tennessee Pharmacists Association recently held its annual winter meeting and legislator reception in late February."
"TPA members spoke with elected officials on legislative bills and priorities including gaps in collaborative practice agreements following the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraging drug donation, according to a press release. Another priority for the organization is emphasizing the "damaging effects" of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), companies that manage prescription drug benefits between pharmacies and insurance providers.”
Flashback Friday
The late state Rep. Charles Sargent showing Meagan’s daughter the goody drawer. He was so special to our team!
Meagan pictured with a giant of the TN legislature - Doug Henry. Senator Henry was first elected to the state House in 1954 and later elected the state Senate, where he served until 2014. He was the longest-serving member in the history of the Tennessee General Assembly!
In the News
Kansas City attorney sues over Tennessee professional privilege tax
Kansas City attorney Thomas West is suing the state in Sumner County over what he calls the “arbitrary, capricious, and wholly unreasonable” nature of Tennessee’s annual professional privilege tax. Over the years, the state has dropped the annual fee for 15 professions, but continues to charge the the $400 assessment to people working as lawyers, […]
TNJ: On The Hill - March 20, 2023
TN Senate moves forward with paid 'choice lanes' on roads
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Imagine this, you’re on the highway and all three lanes in front of you are lined with slowpokes driving shoulder to shoulder. They are impossible to pass and you re running late. It’s a sight many Memphians see far too often. The state legislature might have a solution but it comes at a price. […]
Fox13memphis.com - March 20, 2023
Proposed bill in TN legislature would give new guidance on pet custody in marital disputes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Pets can be like children. So in cases of divorce or annulment, who gets to keep them? A bill making its way through the state legislature could provide guidance to solve that. […]
Newschannel5.com - March 21, 2023
Tennessee bill to loosen class size limits dies in House committee
A legislative proposal that could have led to larger class sizes in Tennessee died Tuesday in its first vote in the House.The bill, which easily passed out of the full Senate earlier this month, would have eliminated the state’s average class size mandates and had appeared to have sufficient support for passage in the House’s K-12 subcommittee.[…]
chalkbeat.org - March 22, 2023
Attorney General Skrmetti Cautions Pharmacies not to Distribute Abortion-Inducing Pills in Tennessee
Nashville - In an effort to uphold Tennessee law as enacted by the General Assembly, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sent letters to Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid seeking confirmation that they will not sell or dispense mifepristone, an abortion-inducing drug, in Tennessee.
tn.gov - March 22, 2023
Fate of Metro Nashville Beer Board Remains Uncertain at Tennessee General Assembly
SB1327/HB0594 is set for hearing today in the Senate and Wednesday in the House. There have been significant changes since our last update on this proposed legislation. […]
jdsupra.com - March 21, 2023
Senate panel clears path to lower permitless gun-carry age to 18
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to drop the permitless gun-carry age to 18 from 21, aligning Tennessee with a pending court order.
The panel endorsed the legislation by Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, on a 7-2 vote after amending the measure to exclude “long guns.” Removal of rifles from the legislation puts it in conflict with the House version of the bill and could force a compromise. […]
tennesseelookout.com - March 21, 2023
Consensus emerges on Tennessee abortion exception
Tennessee lawmakers are coalescing around a narrow exception to Tennessee's strict abortion ban. The measure would allow abortions in order to prevent the patient's death or if there is "serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function." […]
axios.com - March 22, 2023
Tennessee Senate passes paid family leave for some state employees, but not all
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — After a three-year fight on Tennessee's Capitol Hill, the Senate officially passed paid family leave Thursday for some state employees. […]
newschannel5.com - March 22, 2023
CDC Warns of Increasing Threat of Spread of Antimicrobial-resistant Fungus in Healthcare Facilities
Candida auris (C. auris), an emerging fungus considered an urgent antimicrobial resistance (AR) threat, spread at an alarming rate in U.S. healthcare facilities in 2020-2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. […]
nashvillemedicalnews.com - March 21, 2023
Clip in 4 the Cure to raise money for cancer research Saturday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville’s second-annual relay-style cycling event, Clip In 4 The Cure, is happening this Saturday at First Horizon Park.
It supports cancer initiatives at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The event begins at 8 a.m. […]
Newschannel5.com - March 23, 2023
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee preaches unity to Nashville business leaders
Gov. Bill Lee told Nashville's business community he's focused on Tennessee's breakneck growth and putting "dollars back in the hands of people" at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Governor's Address on Tuesday.
He mostly side-stepped the bitter ongoing feud between state and local political leaders. […]
tennesseean.com - March 23, 2023