What's New on the Hill - March 04, 2023

It has been an eventful week on the hill hosting several of our clients and friends including but not limited to: 

- St. Jude's visit with their HPV prevention team raising awareness for International HPV Awareness Day 2023

- Our clients from Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association for Vets Day on the Hill (including Sen. Lundberg's pup Grant 🐶)

- Watched Senator Massey recognize members of TNCO in the Senate Health committee, thanking them for caring for Tennesseans with intellectual disabilities 

- Celebrated TN Pharmacists Day on the Hill  - Meagan is pictured below with the 3 pharmacists legislators!

Tennessee Works Tax Act of 2023

The administration's tax bill summarized here is currently being amended to address the review of credits allowed for certain taxes that is conducted every four years  - follow the link for further details! 

Electric Vehicle Fees - Under Lee's proposed Transportation Modernization Act, Tennesseans with electric vehicles will be charged $200 for registration fees between 2024 and 2026. The annual fee would increase to $274 for 2027. Rates would be adjusted after 2027 according to appropriate inflation or deflation rates.

Airport authority bill advances - House transportation subcommittee advanced a bill to remake airport authority boards for metro governments. Rep. Johnny Garrett amended HB 1176 to give the House speaker, Senate speaker and governor three picks each to sit on the board. The Nashville mayor, or mayor's designee, would serve as a voting ex-officio member.

Medical Marijuana Dies, Delta 8 Proposal Alive - A proposal (SB 1104, Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act) from Sen. Janice Bowling to allow medical marijuana in Tennessee failed on a 6-3 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Still, GOP-backed delta-8 plan (HB 403/SB 378) sponsored by Majority Leader William Lamberth and Sen. Richard Briggs is delayed to go before the Senate Judiciary Committee until March 14th. 

Rape Kit Testing and Evidence Backlogs - Rep. Antonio Parkinson is sponsoring HB 104, a bill that would require the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to test rape kits within 30 days passed out of the Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 28th. 

Council size bill advances in House - Majority Leader William Lamberth and Senator Bo Watson are sponsoring HB 048, a bill that would limit metropolitan councils to no more than 20 members. The bill advanced in the state house on Tuesday moving forward to a floor vote. The House Finance, Ways and Means Committee passed the bill with an amendment to match one approved by the Senate last week. The amendment allows the change to go into effect this year, prior to local Metro Nashville elections scheduled for Aug. 3.

Monroe County fourth-graders inspire pumpkin pie resolution The House chamber on Thursday approved House Joint Resolution 23, sponsored by State Rep. Lowell Russell, R to make pumpkin pie a symbol for the state of Tennessee. If passed by the Senate, the honorary title would only apply for the 113th General Assembly. The idea for the resolution came from a fourth-grade class at Madisonville Intermediate School in Monroe County. While learning about different state symbols as part of their social studies curriculum, the students discovered that Tennessee does not have an officially recognized state pie. The class unanimously chose pumpkin pie as their favorite.

Literacy Month in TN

Meagan participated in Read Across America Week happily reading "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss to a kindergarten class!

Gov. Lee Recognizes ‘Read Across America’ Week, Literacy Month in Tennessee

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recognized March 2-6 as Read Across America Week and proclaimed it Literacy Month in Tennessee, highlighting the Administration’s continued work to strengthen literacy and prepare young readers for success. 

“Throughout the month, we’re celebrating our continued commitment to literacy and the potential for every student to be a strong reader,” said Gov. Lee. “This year, we have the opportunity to invest in a reading strategy that reaches students starting in kindergarten through the third grade to prepare them for success in the classroom and beyond.”

In the News

Tennessee Legislature met in Oak Ridge in 1975
In February of 1975 the Tennessee State Legislature met in a special session in Oak Ridge at the old Holiday Inn located on Illinois Avenue. Approximately 90 members, from across the state, led by House Speaker Ned Ray McWherter, convened to discuss nuclear energy and the impact of Oak Ridge on the economy of the state.
Oakridger - March 03, 2023

Tennessee Legislature could change sports betting 10% profit requirement
(The Center Square) – Tennessee’s Sports Wagering Advisory Council decided to delay punishments for nine operators that didn’t meet a 10% profit mark last year while it approved Fanatics Sportsbook to begin operations at its Wednesday meeting.
The Center Square - March 01, 2023

Lt. Governor McNally, THP express concerns about expanding gun access in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — When it comes to new gun legislation in Tennessee's General Assembly, some bills are moving along at a rapid-fire pace. Wednesday in the House Criminal Justice Committee, a slate of Republican-backed bills expanding gun access sailed through to their next committee.
News Channel 5 - March 01, 2023

Tennessee bill creating paid 'choice lanes' on state roads takes next steps
A bill which would create toll lanes for Tennessee drivers on state roads continues to make its way through the state legislature. HB321/SB278 would add "choice lanes," paid lanes Tennessee drivers can use to avoid congestion during peak times.
Fox 17 - March 01, 2023

"It's 50-50": Leaders weigh in on chances of providing exceptions to Tennessee's total abortion ban
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The effort to provide a legal exception for abortions in Tennessee hit a big setback this week on the Capitol. Both chambers delayed votes on a bill that would allow the procedure if the life of the mother or child is in jeopardy.The fate of HB 883 all depends on who you ask. Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally called it a toss-up.
News Channel 5 - March 02, 2023

Tennessee has open primaries, but Republicans are trying to close them
In Tennessee, voters don’t have to register with a political party to vote in primaries. They can choose to receive either a Republican or Democratic ballot. Republican lawmakers are trying to change that — worrying voting rights groups.   Legislation introduced by Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, would require voters to register with a political party to vote in that party’s primary. He worries current law makes it too easy for voters to switch back and forth. 
WPLN News - March 02, 2023

Tennessee Titans stadium campus, sales tax boundary defined in final documents
The Tennessee Titans are getting closer to scoring a new $2.1 billion stadium, as final documents filed with Metro on Feb. 24 are now publicly available. Read more..
Biz Journal - March 02, 2023

Will Tennessee Legislature Extend Cocktails to Go or Will Carry Out Alcohol End on July 1, 2023?
Tennessee’s statute that authorizes carry out alcohol is set to sunset July 1 of this year. We keep hearing the question: will cocktails to go be extended? Legislation backed by the state hospitality association was set to be heard this week in committee, but did not advance. HB 0624 - SB 0438 sought to make alcohol to go permanent.
JDSUPRA - March 02, 2023

Gov. Bill Lee signs ban on gender-affirming care for minors, drag restrictions into law
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday signed into law a total ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender children, despite calls for him to veto the bill and threats of incoming litigation.

Lee also signed off on a new law to prohibit "adult-oriented" entertainment, including "male and female impersonators," from public property and limit it to age-restricted venues. The legislation, filed after a flurry of drag show controversies in Tennessee, is not a total ban of drag, though opponents worry it could open the door to wider legal battles over the performance art.
Tennessean -  March 03, 2023