News

Nashville, Tenn. – Legislation to prevent the publication of handgun carry permit holders in the news media or on the Internet will now go to the governor for his signature after final passage in the State Senate on Wednesday.  Senate Bill 108 allows for the media to inquire and the Safety Department to confirm whether someone who had run afoul of … Read More

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —  State Senators approved several bills to make Tennessee’s streets safer as the General Assembly prepares to close the 2013 legislative session, including major legislation to combat gang crime in Tennessee.  Gang related crime in Tennessee has risen steadily in the last four years, as incidents rose about 110 percent from 2005 through 2011 according to the Tennessee … Read More

Lawmakers pass major workers’ compensation reform bill Tennessee lawmakers continued to make progress on Capitol Hill this week acting on several key bills, including a major workers’ compensation reform legislation.  However, the biggest legislative hurdle before adjournment later this month is the state’s budget.   Governor Bill Haslam sent additions to his proposed 2013-2014 budget to the Senate Finance Committee … Read More

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a resolution sponsored by Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville), calling for the State Attorney General (AG) to be selected by the General Assembly provided voters agree.   Currently, the Tennessee Attorney General is selected by the State Supreme Court and serves until he or she resigns or are replaced by the five Justices.  The resolution, … Read More

Two proposals to help keep students safe at school won approval this week, including key legislation that will allow superintendents to hire retired law enforcement officers to provide security.   The legislation comes in the wake of the shooting in Connecticut in December, which pointed to the need to increase school safety.   Governor Haslam has proposed $34 million in state … Read More

Will not expand TennCare rolls under the Affordable Care Act NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  Healthcare highlighted a very busy week on Capitol Hill, with Governor Bill Haslam’s announcement that he will not expand TennCare rolls under the federal Affordable Care Act.  The Governor, instead, said he is working on a “Tennessee Plan” to reform health care that leverages federal dollars to … Read More

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Senator Ken Yager (R-Harriman) won passage of legislation in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee this week designed to curb the abuse of prescription drugs in Tennessee.  Yager said the bill is a result of “comprehensive and collaborative effort by citizens, legislators, law enforcement and medical professionals to enhance and tighten the regulations on prescribers and … Read More

The Senate Tax Subcommittee has approved legislation sponsored by Senators Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) and Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) that gives Tennessee small businesses a “Business Tax Holiday.”  Senate Bill 1293 would provide a refund for the total amount of state and local sales tax paid by small business owners to retailers for purchases made in conjunction with their operations during any … Read More

Bill would end routine payment for hotel stays for Legislators who live within 50 miles of the State Capitol Building Legislation that would end routine per diem payments for lodging for state legislators who live within 50 miles of Tennessee’s StateCapitolBuilding was approved by the SenateState and Local Government Committee this week.  Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile … Read More

State Senate Committees working hard to wind down the business of the 2013 legislative session NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senate Committees worked at full steam this week as they wrapped up budget hearings for various agencies and departments of state government and moved a number of important bills to the Senate floor for final action.  The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural … Read More