Tennessee General Assembly information, click HERE. For information on State Senators, including phone numbers and email addresses, click HERE; for House members, click HERE. For information on legislation, click HERE.
Don't forget that you can now watch the Senate committee meetings and floor sessions online by going HERE; House committee meetings and floor sessions online HERE.
Phone calls can go to the legislative Switchboard at 615-741-3011 or to the Toll Free number 1-800-449-8366+1 last four digits of office phone number (available online).
 

DON'T KNOW WHO YOUR SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE IS?  
Just go HERE and you can find out!!

FOR YOUR PRAYER LIST:
Rep. Michael Hale was out this week. Rep. Greg Vital lost his mother a few days ago. His tribute included: "She leaves a legacy of compassion and connection with many lives. She loved the Lord with all her heart, and prayed for all those she came in contact with." You will want to remember both these families and continue to pray for the legislative activities as bills are adopted and rejected.  We need real wisdom, insight, and thoughtfulness as the process gets even closer to adjournment.

JOEL'S CORNER:
This week I was once again reminded of the complexity of the legislative process. There is so much unique terminology and obscure procedures that it is almost impossible to describe the process to someone who hasn’t witnessed it firsthand. On top of the obvious technical complexity, one of the more delicate issues is the relationships. Relationships are one of the most important parts of the legislative process, but they become very difficult to handle when conflicting viewpoints arise. The legislative process is not a simple animal, which is why I continue to have much respect for those who navigate it so well.

NICK'S CORNER:
This week, I was back at the Tennessee State Legislature and was able to soak up many different things. One thing that I recognized while spending time in different committee meetings was the wide variety of topics that are discussed and how many of them vary from the huge political conversations that make up the mainstream media. Another moment that fascinated me was when one topic I did not think would get a lot of push back, stirred up much controversy and deep thought. Finally, the decorum and structure each committee must follow always impresses and amazes me. I love getting to watch each committee follow age-old rules and routines that promote justice and clarity.

REMEMBER THIS POST FROM FRIDAY?? WELL NOW WE KNOW!!

Want to see all the amendments written for the voucher bills?

A CURIOSITY THAT I CANNOT EXPLAIN!  
For some reason, SB2778-HB2468, the ORIGINAL 'education' bill' that was postponed in the Senate and taken off notice in the House is in Senate Education today.
STAY TUNED!!

EDUCATION FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP ACT
SB2787 Johnson -  HB2468 Lamberth
Education - As introduced, requires the department of education to study the school choice programs available in other states and to submit a report of the department's findings at the conclusion of the study to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Speaker of the Senate no later than January 1, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 49

STATUS: SB2787 was in Senate Education on Wednesday.  Sen. Lundberg presented an amendment to create 'another vehicle' mentioning the differences between the House and Senate versions of the other bill -(SB503-HB1183) so that the two vehicles can move forward. The committee adopted this AMENDMENT to SB2787, 7-1: Sens. voting aye were: Crowe, Gardenhire, Haile, Lundberg, Pody, Powers, White -- 7.  Sen. voting no were: Akbari -- 1.

A bit later, something VERY interesting happened:

You will see that HB2468 was "taken off notice" on Feb. 27th. The day after the Senate amended SB2787, the House WITHDREW the House companion bill.  That means that it cannot be used. And the beat goes on...........

STATUS:  There was no action on SB0503  - HB 1183 this week. 
SB0503 is in Senate Finance Ways and Means, with no date for a hearing yet; HB1183 has been assigned to the House Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee, with no hearing date set. You can use the links above to contact the members of each committee.

We need YOUR help. We keep expenses as low as we can, but we do have expenses that we must meet.  WILL YOU HELP??

US CONSTITUTION REQUIRING TERM LIMITS
HJR 0005 by *Todd, Sparks, Warner, Zachary, Bricken, Hawk, Lynn, Richey, Garrett, Powers, Capley, Carr, Vital
Constitutional Conventions - Makes application to Congress for the purpose of calling an Article V convention to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution to set a limit on the number of terms to which a person may be elected as a member of the Congress of the United States

STATUS: HRJ0005 was heard in Senate State and Local and unfortunately passed 7- 2:
Sens voting aye were: Briggs, Jackson, Lowe, Pody, Stevens, Walley, Yager -- 7.   Sens voting no were: Kyle, Yarbro -- 2.

Again, we FULLY understand what a temptation this legislation is with all that is going on in DC now, but holding an Article V Convention and amending the US Constitution is a very serious business and I URGE you to check out the information below to learn more about what this really means:

“[T]here is no way to effectively limit or muzzle the actions of a Constitutional Convention. The Convention could make its own rules and set its own agenda. Congress might try to limit the convention to one amendment or one issue, but there is no way to assure that the Convention would obey.”

– WARREN BURGER, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT (1969-1986)

THE PROBLEMS WITH ARTIFICIAL TERM LIMITS

Don’t Be Fooled by Article V Conventions
 

States that have tried limiting lawmakers' time in office aren't better off .

Please carefully read ARTICLE V of the US Constitution:
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate

Once 'called', CONGRESS is in charge, there are no rules regardless of what may have been passed at the state level.The number of amendments cannot be limited. The method of ratification cannot be controlled.The fact that the proposed amendments have to go back to the states for ratification DOES NOT mean only to the state legislatures, they can also be sent to a convention-- made up of whom, put in place how, never to really be accountable to the voter?? 

ACTION: Please contact these Senators and urge them to OPPOSE HJR005
Lt. Gov Randy McNally - (615) 741-6806 - lt.gov.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Paul Bailey – (615) 741-3978 – sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Janice Bowling – (615) 741-6694 – sen.janice.bowling@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Richard Briggs - (615) 741-1766 - sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov 
Sen. Rusty Crowe – (615) 741-2468 -  sen.rusty.crowe@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Todd Gardenhire - (615) 741-6682 - sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov 
Sen. Ferrell Haile - (615) 741-1999 - sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov 
Sen. Joey Hensley – (615) 741-3100 - sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov 
Sen. Jack Johnson – (615) 741-2495 sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Jon Lundberg - (615) 741-5761 - sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov 
Sen. Becky Duncan Massey - (615) 741-1648 - sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov 
Sen. Frank Niceley – (615) 741-2061 sen.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Bill Powers - (615) 741-2374 - sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Shane Reeves (615) 741-1066  sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov 
Sen. Kerry Roberts  (615) 741-4499 sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Paul Rose (615) 741-1967  sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Steve Southerland (615) 741-3851 sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov,
Sen. Art Swann - (615) 741-0981 - sen.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov 
Sen. Brent Taylor(615) 741-3036 sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Bo Watson - (615) 741-3227- sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Dawn White (615) 741-6853 sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov


 

RIGHTS FOR PARENTS?
SB 2749 by *Haile - HB 2936 by *Faison
Children - As introduced, enacts the “Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68.
STATUS: On Feb 27, SB2749. as amended - ONE and TWO, passed Senate Judiciary 6-2: Sens voting aye were: Gardenhire, Lundberg, Roberts, Stevens, Taylor, White -- 6.  Sens. voting no were: Kyle, Lamar -- 2. and referred to Senate Calendar Committee but it has not been referred to the Senate Floor yet.
On Tuesday, HB2936 was heard in Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee where it was AMENDED, and passed, Ayes Prevail; Reps. Jernigan, Powell requested to be recorded as voting No. I had been told that another amendment was going to be substituted, but that didn't happen, and this bill was referred to Civil Justice Committee, but not scheduled on the calendar yet. 
NOTE: There are STILL many questions about this bill, in whatever form, that have not been adequately answered.  Remember: "What could be the unintended consequences?"  and "How could this be used against me by my worst enemy?" If you want to contact your senator or the members of the Civil Justice Committee, the links are above in purple.

LEGALIZING 'MEDICAL' MARIJUANA
SB 2786 by *Bowling -  HB 2654by *Chism
Election Laws - As introduced, requires county election commissions to include on the ballot for the November 2024 election a non-binding question related to the legalization of the sale, possession, and use of medical marijuana; requires the secretary of state to compile the results of the public policy opinion poll and forward the results to the members of the general assembly
STATUS: I am so pleased to say that on Wednesday, HB2936 FAILED in Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee of Local Government Committee
 

STAY CONNECTED WITH BOBBIE