What's New On The Hill 5/16/2024
CLIENT WINS
With client collaboration and strategic legislative efforts, below are a few of our client wins from the 2024 session!
HB2079/SB1957 by Rep. Bryan Terry and Senator Ferrell Haile, will allow veterinarians licensed in Tennessee to report suspected animal abuse of patients. Prior to this legislation, licensed veterinarians faced limitations in reporting suspected cases of animal abuse due to patient confidentiality constraints. This bill rectifies this issue, empowering veterinarians to report suspected cruelty while providing immunity from liability when acting in good faith.
On May 1st, Governor Bill Lee signed HB0282/SB869 into law, expanding the scope of pharmacy practice to include vital healthcare services. This legislation enables pharmacists to issue prescriptions for essential drugs, such as antivirals for influenza and COVID-19, epinephrine auto-injectors, and naloxone, enhancing access to critical medications and promoting public health.
Here's a quick overview of the key points:
Expanded Authority: Pharmacists now have independent prescriptive authority for various medication classes and disease states, empowering them to provide approved patient care services more efficiently.
Supportive Collaboration: Throughout the legislative process, Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) engaged in active dialogue and collaboration with physician groups, such as the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA), resulting in their support for scope expansion.
Impactful Changes: The law adds to the definition of pharmacy practice, granting pharmacists the flexibility to adjust their practices as they see fit while ensuring adherence to FDA guidelines or CDC recommendations.
Key Provisions: Pharmacists can now serve as the prescriber of record for specific drug classes and disease states, including antivirals for influenza and COVID-19, immunizations for various age groups, post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, and more.
Board of Pharmacy: The legislation does not mandate specific rules for the Board of Pharmacy, but TPA will maintain close communication with them to facilitate the proper implementation of the law.
Looking Ahead:
Education and Support: TPA will provide tools, resources, and education to pharmacists seeking to enhance access to pharmacist-provided care.
Stakeholder Engagement: TPA will communicate with key stakeholders to ensure that the law is effectively implemented statewide.
Under current law, buprenorphine is a heavily regulated medication that has been shown to be efficacious in treating opioid use disorder in controlled environments.
HB2060/SB2019 as passed increases from 50 to 100 the number of patients to whom a licensed Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) may prescribe buprenorphine.
The bill also increases the number of licensed Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) who may prescribe buprenorphine products that a physician may supervise from four to five, extending this authority specifically to those professionals working in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs). Additionally, it grants NPs and PAs prescriptive authority for mono products.
Under current law, the changes above would require an FQHC or CMHC to register as an office-based opioid treatment center (OBOT), which this bill removes the requirement for, reducing burden on facilities that can provide these expanded services.
These legislative changes aim to enhance treatment accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations, and contribute to addressing the opioid epidemic in Tennessee.
Claim Period for Franchise Tax Property Measure (Schedule G) Refunds Are Now Open
Eligible business owners can now file for refunds related to the franchise tax property measure (Schedule G). This opportunity arises from Public Chapter 950, signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 10, 2024. The new law removes the property measure from the franchise tax calculation and authorizes the Department of Revenue to issue refunds to qualifying taxpayers.
Who is Eligible?
Taxpayers who paid the franchise tax on the property measure using Schedule G for tax years ending on or after March 31, 2020, and who filed their returns on or after January 1, 2021, are eligible for a refund.
How to Claim Your Refund
Amend Returns: Eligible taxpayers must amend their franchise and excise tax returns for all qualifying periods.
File a Claim:Submit a Claim for Refund of Franchise Tax Paid on Property Measure (Schedule G) form.
Both the amended returns and the refund claim form must be submitted by November 30, 2024.
For faster processing, electronic filing is recommended.
Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee Nominations Page is Live!
The first-annual Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee competition, celebrating our state's dynamic manufacturing industry! Hosted by The Tennessee Manufacturers Association, University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services, The Smart Factory Institute, and Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association, this event aims to showcase the innovative products made right here in Tennessee.
Nominating your product takes just a few minutes and can be done online here. Not only will you have the chance to promote your product statewide, but you'll also be entered to win the prestigious title of "Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee!"
Nominations are open from May 6-31. Submit yours today!
On National Police Week, we honor the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to serving and protecting our communities.
We're spotlighting some of the new laws from this session that directly supports our law enforcement officers and reinforces their vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our neighborhoods.
Legislation Spotlight:
House Bill 1881: The Back the Blue Act
This landmark legislation enhances penalties for assaults on law enforcement officers, providing them with greater legal protection and serving as a deterrent against attacks. It underscores our commitment to supporting the safety and well-being of our officers.
House Bill 2845: Tennessee Prevention of Drunk Driving Act
Recognizing the critical importance of combatting drunk driving, this bill establishes measures to strengthen law enforcement efforts in addressing impaired driving. By creating an advisory task force and improving reporting procedures, it supports our officers in keeping our roads safe.
CMS Approves Amendment to TennCare III Demonstration
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made an announcement approving Tennessee's request to amend its Medicaid section 1115 demonstration, "TennCare III." This amendment brings significant changes to coverage and benefits under the demonstration, including but not limited to expanding eligibility for parents and caretaker relatives, introducing a new benefit to cover diapers for infants, and enhancing home and community-based services (HCBS) with a focus on employment supports.
IN THE NEWS
Tennessee Comptroller’s property reappraisal bill derailed by tax cap argument
A bill designed to expedite property reappraisals and keep counties from hemorrhaging revenue appears to have been caught in a battle over a measure to tamp down large property tax increases.
TENNESSEELOOKOUT.COM - May 6, 2024
Gov. Bill Lee signs law requiring schools to out transgender students
Tennessee teachers may now be required to out transgender students to their parents, under a measure signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee.
WPLN.ORG - May 7, 2024
Lee ends expedited clemency process for harsh drug-free school zone sentences
Gov. Bill Lee earlier this year quietly ended an expedited clemency program for those sentenced under a previous version of the state's drug-free school zone law.
TENNESSEAN.COM - May 7, 2024
EF1 tornado hit Middle Tennessee community, NWS confirms
An EF1 tornado hit Smithville in DeKalb County during severe storms that moved across the region on Monday, the National Weather Service confirmed.
WATE.COM - May 7, 2024
New records detail Tennessee education chief's meetings, push for voucher bill
At the height of the legislative session, Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds met frequently with school choice-focused stakeholders ― including repeated meetings with representatives from her former employer, national advocacy group ExcelinEd.
TENNESSEAN.COM - May 9, 2024
Bills affecting TN justice system passed in 2024: Prison time, bail rules, mental health
While debates over the governor's controversial private school voucher program and gun control often took center stage during the Tennessee General Assembly's 2024 legislative session, lawmakers were spending much of their time from January to late April making changes to Tennessee's criminal justice system.
TENNESSEAN.COM - May 6, 2024
Gun safety courses, farmers market rules and more | Here are some TN laws going into effect on Jan. 1
One of the laws changes how people in Knoxville elect city council members. Knoxville leaders spoke out against the law and said they would seek "judicial relief."
WBIR.COM - Jan. 1, 2024
The week in politics: Why state Sen. Ken Yager is filing a campaign finance complaint
In Senate District 4, which includes Hawkins and Sullivan counties in Northeast Tennessee, text messages funded by East Tennessee Conservatives PAC have been sent attacking incumbent Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, who recently sponsored Gov. Bill Lee's school choice legislation.
TENNESSEAN.COM - May 10, 2024
Biden signs Blackburn’s bipartisan bill modernizing reporting of cyber crimes against children
President Joe Biden this week signed into law a bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn modernizing and streamlining how websites and social media companies report sexual exploitation of children online.
TENNESSEAN.COM - May 9, 2024
Tennessee governor OKs bill allowing death penalty for child rape convictions
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has approved legislation allowing the death penalty in child rape convictions, a change the Republican-controlled Statehouse championed amid concerns that the U.S. Supreme Court has banned capital punishment in such cases.
NEWSCHANNEL5.COM - May 15, 2024
2 Tennessee state representatives discuss legislative session, push for more bipartisan work
Two Tennessee state representatives from opposing parties joined Good Morning Nashville to discuss a wide range of topics from school vouchers, the grocery tax, and a push for more bipartisan work.
WKRN.COM - May 12, 2024
Tennessee extends FAFSA application deadline: Here’s what you need to know
Students in Tennessee seeking financial help for college will now have an extra few weeks to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA.
WATE.COM - May 15, 2024