8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - SB0471 by Bowling
- Republican Party lawmakers are the first to allege and howl about indoctrination in public schools. Now, they’re passing laws to push their worldview on all K-12 students through family life curriculum.
- The “Success Sequence Act” requires all public schools to teach the “positive personal and societal outcomes” associated with following this sequence: Obtain a diploma; enter the workforce/pursue a degree; enter into marriage; and have children.
- Last year, the legislature passed a law requiring students to watch a medically inaccurate video about fetal development produced by an anti-abortion group.
Bill gives GOP speakers more influence over college, university boards
8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - SB0933 by Rose.
- The General Assembly’s controlling Republican Party wants power and influence over everything. Senate Bill 933 would increase the size of the Board of Regents, the university governing boards and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees by two members each and then designate each speaker as the appointing authority for two appointments to every board.
Bill: ‘Deregulation Task Force’ would review federal K-12 funding cuts
8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 16. SB0950 by Powers
- Senate Bill 950 would establish the “Federal Education Deregulation Task Force” to review federal K-12 funding and recommend whether funding “should be continued at the state level” if federal assistance is eliminated.
- Tennessee received $1.7 billion for K-12 public schools – the majority of which goes to support schools that service low-income students, children with disabilities and school meal programs.
Bill expands police immunity for property damage, personal injury
8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 26. *SB0280 by Jackson.
Oliver bill gives child care agencies access to underutilized public property
8:30 a.m. CT - Senate Floor Calendar - Watch - SB1014 by Oliver
- Senate Bill 1014 would give child care businesses and nonprofits an early right to purchase public school property deemed underutilized. Access to suitable facilities is a major challenge for many child care providers.
Tennessee’s prison budget is a ticking time bomb
8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - SB0455 by Rose
- Senate Bill 455, which provides Tennessee’s parole board another excuse to deny parole to eligible inmates, comes after a long line of legislation that extends sentences and commits more tax dollars to mass incarceration – all without evidence that these changes make our communities safer.
- Last year, a state report revealed the newly established Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board had removed 80,000 credit days from more than 1,000 different inmates.
- This week, a Correction Department official told a Senate committee Tennessee’s prison population is starting to grow for the first time since Covid. “I believe its up about 1,400 incarcerated felons since July of last year (2024).” [Time stamp 53:00]
- Despite laws that increase mass incarceration, prisons can’t hire enough guards and staff to ensure safety and rehabilitation, especially at private facilities run by CoreCivic.
- WATCH the gripping and tragic testimony of Tim Leeper, a father whose son died at CoreCivic’s Trousdale Turner facility. He explains what’s really happening inside Tennessee’s for-profit prisons. [Time stamp 23:45]
8:30 a.m. Senate Regular Calendar
1. *SB0011 by Gardenhire. (HB0409 by White.)
Education, Dept. of - With amendment, expands the Education Savings Account program to Knox, Rutherford, and Montgomery counties. Additionally, this amendment removes current language in law regarding the program's design to serve students zoned to historically underperforming schools.
2. SB0179 by Lowe. (*HB0023 by Davis.)
Election Laws - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 6, Chapter 53. As introduced, defines "district," for purposes of municipal elections, to mean a district, region, precinct, sector, territory, or other geographical area prescribed for the purposes of nominating and electing candidates.
Dems opposed in the House… related to Knoxville city council?
3. SB0245 by Haile. (*HB0049 by Davis.)
District Attorneys - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 7, Part 1 and Title 8, Chapter 7, Part 3. As introduced, expands the proceedings for which a district attorney general pro tem may be appointed to include certain civil proceedings; declares meetings of the district attorneys general conference to be open meetings except for meetings related to certain matters; specifies that the executive director of the district attorneys general conference must provide legal counsel and advice to district attorneys general and their staff and that the legal counsel and advice may be provided by attorneys employed with the district attorneys general conference.
Watch. Not sure why these documents should be exempted from public disclosure.
4. SB0274 by Taylor. (*HB0307 by Gillespie.)
County Government - Amends TCA Title 5. As introduced, declares that the offices of sheriff, register, county clerk, assessor of property, and trustee are the constitutional officers of a county that has adopted a charter form of government; specifies the duties for each constitutional officer.
Sheriff Bonner bill.
5. *SB0455 by Rose. (HB0527 by Scarbrough.)
Probation and Parole - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35, Part 5. As introduced, removes the limitations on the board of parole's authority to deny parole based solely on the seriousness of the offense for certain offenses to allow denial based on the seriousness of the offense for any offense.
Watch. Less parole. Longer incarceration. More tax dollars.
6. *SB0468 by Bowling. (HB0571 by Barrett.)
Safety - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49 and Title 68. As introduced, enacts the "Women's Safety and Protection Act," which prohibits state and local governments from prohibiting distinctions between male and female sexes with respect to athletics, correctional facilities, juvenile detention facilities, domestic violence shelters, or other accommodations where biology, safety, or privacy is implied and which result in separate accommodations that are substantially related to protecting the health, safety, or privacy of individuals in such circumstances.
More anti-trans legislation
7. SB0471 by Bowling. (*HB0178 by Bulso.)
Education, Curriculum - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 13. As introduced, establishes that family life curriculum must include age-appropriate instruction and evidence regarding the positive personal and societal outcomes associated with the method by which a person completes the following in sequential order: obtains a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential; enters into the workforce or pursues a postsecondary degree or credential; enters into marriage; and has children.
Watch. The real indoctrination party.
8. SB0504 by Rose. (*HB0346 by Bulso.)
Naming and Designating - Amends TCA Title 3, Chapter 1 and Title 4, Chapter 8. As introduced, names the desk of house chamber seat number 60 as the “Legislative Desk of Representative John J. Deberry, Jr.”; directs the chief clerk of the house of representatives, or the chief clerk’s designee, to design and provide for the installation of a commemorative plaque on the side of the desk of house chamber seat number 60 to recognize the official name of such desk.
He’s not dead. Why now?
9. SB0755 by Yager. (*HB0589 by Jones R.)
Agriculture, Dept. of - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 1, Part 6. As amended, renames the Tennessee Agricultural Hall of Fame as the Tennessee Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame. Vacates, renames, and reconstitutes the governing board to the Tennessee Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame Board (Board) on July 1, 2025. Transfers all assets, liabilities, and records from the current board to the new Board.
10. *SB0789 by Walley. (HB0959 by Hemmer.)
Medical Occupations - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 63. As introduced, changes the term "temporary license" to "associate license" for a marriage and family therapist who has completed the academic coursework and training required for the license and who has successfully passed the examination required by the board; redefines an approved supervisor for marital therapy and counseling services to no longer include a board-approved marriage and family supervisor; redefines the exemptions to current law for professional counselors and marital and family therapists.
11. *SB0871 by Hensley. (HB1192 by Cepicky.)
General Assembly, Directed Studies - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71. As introduced, directs TACIR to conduct a study and prepare a report on recommendations on the continuum of care in this state and how the continuum of care can be improved; requires the study and report to survey the continuum of care in other states and compare such care to the continuum of care in this state; requires TACIR to submit the report on or before January 1, 2026, to each member of the general assembly and the legislative librarian; permits the report to be submitted electronically.
12. *SB0915 by Bailey. (HB1129 by Farmer.)
Highways, Roads and Bridges - Amends TCA Title 54, Chapter 1. As introduced, lifts certain restrictions on temporary borrow pits used to source material for a road work construction project performed in a FEMA-certified county under a contract for construction work entered into with the state that is part of a state or local Hurricane Helene recovery effort.
13. SB0931 by Rose. (*HB0804 by Grills.)
Food and Food Products - Prohibits a cell-cultured food product from being labeled as a meat or meat food product, as defined in current law. Adds that cell-cultured food products that is labeled as meat or a meat food product is not in compliance and is misbranded. Requires the Department of Agriculture to assess a fine of $2,000 for each misbranded food product. Requires the Department of Agriculture to promulgate rules to implement and administer a program requiring a manufacturer who sells cell-cultured food products in Tennessee to have a permit.
14. SB0933 by Rose. (*HB0919 by Cepicky.)
Boards and Commissions - As amended, increases the size of the Board of Regents, the University Governing Boards, and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees by two members each and redesignates the appointing authority for board members to allow the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house two appointments a piece to each board.
Watch. Gives the speakers more power/influence over public colleges and university boards
15. SB0940 by Briggs. (*HB0995 by Rudder.)
Alcoholic Beverages - Amends TCA Title 63. As introduced, expands the immunity from prosecution when seeking medical assistance for a person experiencing, or believed to be experiencing, an overdose to include alcohol-related offenses; clarifies that overdose includes both drugs and alcohol.
16. SB0950 by Powers. (*HB0958 by Slater.)
Education - As amended, Senate Bill 950 creates a federal education deregulation task force, consisting of seven members, with the responsibility to prepare the state for the potential deregulation of federal laws, regulations, requirements, and guidance for K-12 education. The seven members of the committee are the chair of the House Education Committee, two members of the House, the chair of the Senate Education committee, two members of the Senate, one licensed educator appointed by the governor. Appointments must be made no later than 7/1/25 and the first meeting must occur no later than 8/1/25. The task force is charged with identifying all federal funding received, as well as, the requirements of receiving the funding, resources necessary for the funding, positions funded. and the necessity of continuing the programs should federal funding cease. The task force is required to compile and submit a report to the General Assembly, no later than 12/31/25.
Watch. Federal Deregulation Task Force.
17. *SB1005 by Haile. (HB1180 by Farmer.)
Adoption - Amends TCA Title 18; Title 36 and Title 37. As introduced, allows petitioners to include all children in one adoption or termination of parental rights petition if the petitioners are seeking to adopt more than one child at the same time and the children are siblings who share at least one biological parent, unless the court issues a written order finding that it is in the best interest of the children that separate petitions be filed; specifies that the clerk of court shall charge only one filing fee for such a petition.
18. SB1073 by Johnson. (*HB0861 by McCalmon.)
Local Education Agencies - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 10 and Title 49, Chapter 6. As introduced, requires LEAs to notify parents or guardians of a student at least 10 days before the student's individualized education program (IEP) meeting; requires LEAs to provide a copy of all evaluations and assessments of a student conducted for purposes of the student's IEP and, if created, a copy of a student's draft IEP, unless previously declined, to the student's parent or guardian at least 48 hours prior to a scheduled IEP team meeting.
19. *SB1116 by Haile. (HB1356 by Littleton.)
Vital Records - With amendment, adds a new subdivision allowing the Department of Children's Services to search for a kinship foster care placement.
20. SB1127 by Rose. (*HB0755 by Faison.)
Estates - Amends TCA Title 30 and Title 31. As introduced, removes the cap on the amount of wages or other compensation owed a deceased employee at the time of the employee's death that an employer shall pay directly to the surviving spouse of the decedent or, if there is no surviving spouse, to the surviving children of the decedent as tenants in common.
21. SB1142 by Crowe. (*HB0898 by Todd.)
Utilities, Utility Districts - This legislation will require any of the aforementioned entities, which sell water containing fluoride, to obtain a certificate of analysis and post such certificate and the material safety date sheet for fluoride to the entity’s website.
Disclosure bill from an anti-fluoride senator
22. SB1148 by Crowe. (*HB0859 by Alexander.)
Traffic Safety - Amends TCA Title 55. With amendment, defines “fully enclosed” to mean having side panels, a roll bar or roof, and a windshield, in regards to autocycles.
23. SB1149 by Crowe. (*HB0860 by Alexander.)
Funeral Directors and Embalmers - Amends TCA Title 62, Chapter 5. As introduced, authorizes a funeral director applicant who was not previously licensed in this state to substitute one year of apprenticeship with an associate degree or the completion of a program of study in funeral service education; authorizes an applicant to concurrently fulfill the second year of the applicant's apprenticeship alongside the requirement that the applicant successfully completes no less than 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent education from a school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education and evidenced by an official transcript.
24. *SB1155 by Crowe. (HB1361 by Alexander.)
Alcoholic Beverage Commission - Amends TCA Title 57. With amendment, authorizes Johnson City, Tennessee to set the hours a consumption on the premises licensee is authorized to sell alcoholic beverages in its downtown district.
25. *SJR0003 by Pody.
General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Establishes a definition of antisemitism and encourages departments and agencies of state government to use such definition in determining discriminatory intent for any law or policy in this state that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
26. *SB0280 by Jackson. (HB1020 by Russell.)
Tort Liability and Reform - Amends TCA Title 29 and Title 39. As introduced, specifies that a law enforcement officer who causes property damage to or inflicts personal injury upon a person during the course of the law enforcement officer's official duties is immune from civil liability if at the time the damage or injury occurred, the person suffering the injury or damage was engaged in conduct that resulted in the person being convicted of the offense of resisting a stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search of the person.
Watch. Expands police immunity
27. SB1014 by Oliver. (*HB0698 by Camper.)
Local Education Agencies - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 71. As introduced, requires an LEA in which a child care facility operates to submit a comprehensive list of all underutilized or vacant property to the department of human services and the comptroller of the treasury and to make the list available to each child care facility operating in the LEA; grants certain owners of a child care facility that operates in an LEA a first or second right of refusal to lease or purchase underutilized or vacant property listed by the LEA.