Authorities must clear homeless encampments within 30 days, under Taylor bill
9:30 a.m. CT - Transportation & Safety - Watch - SB 0217 *Taylor
- Legislation by Republican Sen.
Brent Taylor would force the state Department of Safety to clear homeless encampments near state roads “within 30 days” of receiving a citizen complaint.
- The aggressive timeline outlined in this bill will create challenges for the unhoused people being removed, the nonprofit organizations assisting this community and the local governments that the bill compels to assist in these operations.
- Clearing encampments will do nothing to address the root of the problem: Tennessee’s housing affordability crisis. Housing costs in Tennessee have hit a 10-year high and an estimated 44% of households in the state can’t afford the basics.
Lee’s ag chief sits for budget hearing as Trump’s trade war hits Tenn. farmers
11 a.m. CT - Agriculture, Energy & Nat. Resources - Watch
- Gov. Bill Lee’s commissioner of agriculture will sit for a budget hearing as the chief representative of an industry bracing for another Trump trade war — this time with Tennessee’s three largest world trading partners.
- All three nations targeted by Trump announced retaliatory actions sending shockwaves through the nation’s agriculture industry, which lost $26 billion during Trump’s first trade war in 2018.
- Tennessee soybean farmers – among the biggest losers in 2018 – export more than $600 million worth of product around the world. But soybeans only represent a portion of the agriculture products that Tennessee farmers currently sell to China, Mexico and Canada.
Universal child health coverage: Sen. Lamar bill gets more kids covered
1 p.m. - Health & Welfare - Watch - SB0401 by Sen. London Lamar
- The Kid’s Health Care Report Card says 5.6% of Tennessee children are uninsured and state estimates suggest that two-thirds of those children are eligible for one of the state’s youth insurance programs, TennCare or CoverKids.
- To get more kids covered and keep them insured, Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, is proposing legislation to implement a continuous eligibility policy for children who are eligible for TennCare or CoverKids.
- Under SB0401, children under age 18 who are enrolled in TennCare or CoverKids would have their health coverage automatically renewed except under certain circumstances.
Republicans target undocumented children
3 p.m. CT – Education - Watch - SB0836 by Watson
- Republican Party politicians will introduce callous legislation to challenge a 53-year-old U.S. Supreme Court decision which held that states cannot deny students access to public K-12 schools based on immigration status.
- Their bill would explicitly allow public schools the authority to refuse to enroll undocumented students.
- This partisan attack on immigrant children is part of a broader assault on the American promise of a high-quality public education.
- The Plyler v. Doe decision from 1982 affirmed what we already knew: It’s in our shared interest to ensure that every child in our community can attend a public school, no matter their parents, wealth, religion or where they were born.
Oliver bill could give child care centers access to vacant school properties
3 p.m. CT – Education - Watch - SB1014 by Oliver
- Legislation by Sen. Charlane Oliver would give child care centers access to underutilized public school property, a move that could help centers open or expand across the state.
- The policy proposal comes from a January state report focused on improving child care in Tennessee.
- Parents have reported numerous child care challenges, including affordability, quality and access. In Tennessee, child care costs as much as college tuition, according to a recent report from the Commission on Children and Youth.
Full Senate Schedule
8:30 a.m. CT – Government Operations
1. *SB0958 by Lamar. (HB1068 by Hakeem.)
Public Funds and Financing - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 67 and Title 71. As introduced, creates in the department of human services a community grant advisory board for the purpose of administering the community-based organizations grant program to financially support eligible nonprofit organizations that serve communities in the areas of education, public health, housing, social issues, and economic and workforce development.
2. *SB0321 by Massey. (HB0498 by Hale.)
Health Care - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 62 and Title 63. As introduced, creates the advisory task force on state reimbursement rates to make recommendations on annual adjustments to rates paid to agencies that perform healthcare functions and services, the purpose of which is to ensure such reimbursement rates are adequate.
3. *SB0088 by Jackson. (HB0266 by Lafferty.)
Sunset Laws - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 38, Chapter 6. As introduced, extends the Tennessee bureau of investigation to June 30, 2029.
4. *SB0092 by Jackson. (HB0270 by Lafferty.)
Sunset Laws - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 58, Chapter 2. As introduced, extends the Tennessee emergency management agency to June 30, 2029.
5. *SB0098 by Jackson. (HB0276 by Lafferty.)
Sunset Laws - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 33, Chapter 11. As introduced, extends the Tennessee opioid abatement council to June 30, 2029.
6. *SB0101 by Jackson. (HB0279 by Lafferty.)
Sunset Laws - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 49, Chapter 8. As introduced, extends the Tennessee Technological University, board of trustees, to June 30, 2030.
9:30 a.m. CT – Transportation & Safety
1. *SB0728 by Lowe. (HB0810 by Grills.)
Motor Vehicles - Amends TCA Title 55. As introduced, authorizes utility terrain vehicles to operate on county roads and state highways throughout the state, subject to certain restrictions.
2. *SB0778 by Lowe. (HB0816 by Travis.)
Driver Licenses - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50. As introduced, designates a traffic citation issued solely on the basis of a violation for the offense of driving while the person's driving privileges are canceled, suspended, or revoked as a nonmoving traffic violation.
3. SB0429 by Reeves. (*HB0191 by Lamberth.)
Criminal Offenses - Amends TCA Title 39. As introduced, creates a Class B misdemeanor for knowingly activating and pointing a laser pointer or other device utilizing a laser beam at a person driving an automobile, boat, airplane, or any other motor vehicle.
4. SB0248 by Watson. (*HB0302 by Martin G.)
Traffic Safety - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 54 and Title 55. As introduced, creates the offense of an occupant of a vehicle parking, leaving standing, or stopping the vehicle on a street or highway and blocking or impeding the normal movement of traffic for the purpose of soliciting, negotiating, or consummating an employment transaction with a person standing on or in proximity to the street or highway.
Watch.
5. SB1069 by Johnson. (*HB0974 by McCalmon.)
Motor Vehicles - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 17 and Title 62, Chapter 19.
Caption for a Wilson County car auction…
6. *SB1297 by Johnson. (HB1316 by Lamberth.)
Driver Licenses - Amends TCA Section 2-7-112 and Title 55, Chapter 50. As introduced, prohibits the use of digital driver licenses and digital photo identification licenses for voter identification purposes; regulates the use, retention, and disclosure of data submitted by persons participating in the digital driver license system, including biometric identifiers; prohibits geolocation data from being collected for purposes of the digital driver license system; revises other provisions related to driver licenses.
Watch. Prohibits a situation that does not exist in Tennessee.
7. SB0141 by Kyle. (*HB0016 by Clemmons.)
Traffic Safety - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49; Title 54 and Title 55. As introduced, requires the department of transportation to establish and administer a student pedestrian protection grant program; under certain conditions, authorizes grants to be awarded to local governments for designing, constructing, and repairing sidewalk infrastructure around public schools.
8. *SB0144 by Walley. (HB0969 by Hawk.)
Public Funds and Financing - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 54; Title 55; Title 65 and Title 67. As introduced, directs department of transportation to study transportation infrastructure needs, costs, and funding sources for the years 2026, 2050, and 2075; allocates and deposits tax revenue from the sale and use of new or used motor vehicles and new or used tires in the state highway fund.
Watch. Diverts tax revenue from the General Fund to the Highway Fund. Pot for Potholes is a much better solution.
9. *SB0660 by Hensley. (HB0737 by Vital.)
Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4 and Section 55-6-101. As introduced, authorizes a county clerk, during a period when the clerk's office is closed due to an emergency, to request the assistance of a county clerk in a contiguous county for purposes of registering motor vehicles and related transactions.
10. SB0217 by Taylor. (*HB0197 by Leatherwood.)
Highways, Roads and Bridges - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 13; Title 39; Title 54; Title 55 and Title 71. As introduced, requires the department of transportation to develop and implement a policy, through partnership with other state and local agencies and nonprofit entities, regarding the collection, storage, claiming, and disposal of personal property used for camping from the shoulder, berm, or right-of-way of a state or interstate highway, or under a bridge or overpass, or within an underpass, of a state or interstate highway.
Watch. Bill requires the removal of homeless encampments within 30 days of a complaint.
11. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security -- Budget Presentation
11 a.m. CT – Energy, Agriculture & Natural Resources
1. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency -- Budget Hearing
2. Tennessee Department of Agriculture -- Budget Hearing
3. *SJR0099 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Hanes Torbett, Fish and Wildlife Commission
4. *SJR0114 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Rosemary McIlhenny, Fish and Wildlife Commission
5. *SJR0115 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - John McCarty, Fish and Wildlife Commission
6. *SB0206 by Massey. (HB0646 by Carringer.)
Game and Fish Laws - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 70. As introduced, authorizes persons to wear daylight fluorescent pink as a substitute for daylight fluorescent orange when hunting big game during gun hunts; deletes statutory definition of daylight fluorescent orange.
7. *SB0323 by Massey. (HB0422 by Marsh.)
Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - Amends TCA Section 3-2-112; Section 4-1-412 and Title 70, Chapter 1, Part 2. As introduced, authorizes the commission to name real property, infrastructure, improvements to infrastructure, or features under the agency’s jurisdiction.
8. *SB0128 by Bailey. (HB0164 by Marsh.)
Professions and Occupations - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63. Defines “animal chiropractic.” A chiropractic physician must receive certification from the Board of Chiropractic Physicians in order to perform animal chiropractic. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners is given the authority “to adopt rules governing the performance of animal chiropractic” and “to establish educational standards governing the certification of chiropractic physicians to perform animal chiropractic.”
9. *SB0564 by Pody. (HB0803 by Grills.)
Water - as amended, creates a right of first refusal for local public utilities (water systems of counties, metro governments, or incorporated cities) once an initial application for a treatment works, which meets department standards, has been submitted by developers of subdivisions for approval by the utility.
10. SB0772 by Briggs. (*HB0100 by Howell.)
Utilities, Utility Districts - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 34; Title 7, Chapter 36 and Title 7, Chapter 52. As introduced, authorizes the members of the board of directors of energy authorities formed under the Municipal Energy Authority Act to receive certain additional compensation for attendance at meetings for each additional utility system over which the board has jurisdiction and health insurance coverage.
11. SB0561 by Hatcher. (*HB0530 by Eldridge.)
Boats, Boating - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 9. As introduced, removes the monitoring requirement for boating safety examinations; replaces statutory fees for boating safety certificates and replacement cards with authorization for TWRA to set such fees.
12. *SB0558 by Reeves. (HB0921 by Cepicky.)
Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - Amends TCA Title 70. As introduced, authorizes the commission to regulate the operation of sport shooting ranges rather than firing ranges; authorizes the Tennessee wildlife resources agency to establish fees for the use of such ranges in operation prior to July 1, 1998.
OK. Clean up bill.
13. *SB0884 by Reeves. (HB1143 by Boyd.)
Energy - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 64; Title 65; Title 67 and Title 68. As introduced, clarifies that a political subdivision that imposes requirements or expectations related to the type of clean or green, or renewable, energy used by a public utility in an ordinance, resolution, or other regulation must include certain sources of energy as permissible sources of clean or green, or renewable, energy, regardless of whether the political subdivision classifies the requirements or expectations as relating to clean or green, or renewable, energy.
14. *SB0885 by Reeves. (HB1133 by Boyd.)
Taxes - Amends TCA Title 67. As introduced, allows nuclear energy production facilities to seek pollution control tax credits for certain machinery and equipment.
Watch. Interesting details in the fiscal note: There is one small modular reactor (SMR) planned to begin operations by 2033. It is assumed that the proposed exemption will apply to machinery and equipment purchased with regards to the construction of the SMR, if such purchases are not made directly by TVA. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) January 2024 report entitled Capital Cost and Performance Characteristics for Utility-Scale Electric Power Generating Technologies, capital costs for an SMR range between $1,000,000,000 and $5,000,000,000. According to the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council’s Final Report and Recommendations released in October 2024, the construction costs of an SMR in Tennessee is estimated to be approximately $1,400,000,000.
1 p.m. – Health & Welfare
1. Department of Children's Services -- Budget Hearing
2. SB1012 by Oliver. (*HB0936 by Glynn.)
Day Care - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 3, Part 5. As introduced, treats nieces and nephews of the whole or half-blood of a primary caregiver as being related to the caregiver for purposes of present laws governing child care agencies.
3. *SB0902 by Oliver. (HB0992 by Love.)
Day Care - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 3. As introduced, enacts the "Child Care Workforce Improvement Act," which directs the commissioner of human services to develop a program to provide longevity payments to eligible child care workers and a program to provide child care assistance payments to certain early childhood educators.
4. *SB0401 by Lamar. (HB1387 by Harris.)
TennCare - Amends TCA Title 71. As introduced, requires, on and after July 1, 2026, a minor who is enrolled in TennCare medicaid or the CoverKids program to remain eligible for such program until the minor reaches 18; prohibits the division of TennCare from subjecting the minor to a redetermination of eligibility or disenrollment, except under certain circumstances; requires the director of TennCare to submit any necessary federal waiver request by December 31, 2025.
5. *SB0849 by Lamar. (HB0960 by Love.)
Medical Occupations - Amends TCA Title 63. As introduced, requires the board of medical examiners, the board of osteopathic examination, and the board of examiners in psychology to each develop and offer an optional course in maternal mental health when establishing continuing medical educational requirements for persons licensed to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, or psychology, respectively.
6. *SB0619 by Harshbarger. (HB0657 by Hicks T.)
Health Care - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68. As introduced, allows a healthcare provider to petition a relevant board after completing a peer assistance or treatment program contract to remove information from public dissemination regarding the adverse action and consent order after 10 years from the probation date; authorizes the division of health related boards to promulgate rules to effectuate such petition process.
7. SB1342 by Campbell. (*HB1169 by Hemmer.)
Children - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 3. As introduced, requires on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the council on children's mental health care to submit a report to certain officials regarding the status of the statewide system of care for children's mental health and the service delivery system and the status of children's mental health in this state.
8. *SB0318 by Lowe. (HB0395 by Terry.)
Anatomical Gifts - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 68. As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act."
Watch. Odd bill.
9. SB1178 by Akbari. (*HB0712 by Hale.)
Disability and Aging, Dept. Of - Amends TCA Title 52 and Title 71. As introduced, directs the commissioner to develop guidelines for service providers for hiring qualified family members as a family care giver; specifies that the department shall not prohibit qualified individuals from employment as a family care giver at a service provider agency based on certain listed criteria; directs the director of TennCare to develop guidelines for service providers for hiring qualified family members as a family care giver; specifies that the bureau of TennCare shall not prohibit qualified individuals from employment as a family care giver at a service provider agency based on certain listed criteria.
10. *SB0577 by Haile. (HB1000 by Rudder.)
TennCare - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5. Authorizes the coverage assessment on hospitals for FY24-25 to be implemented and imposed without the approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of an adjustment to the budget neutrality agreement with CMS, if the other required CMS determination, approvals, and confirmation have already been obtained. Establishes that, if the coverage assessment on hospitals is implemented under such conditions, the expenditures for directed payments to hospitals must be limited to either the same amount authorized for FY23-24, or a greater amount as determined by the Division of TennCare (Division) in consultation with the Tennessee Hospital Association, up to the amount approved by CMS, until such time as the CMS determination, approvals, and confirmation have been obtained and the Division provides written notice to the Tennessee Hospital Association.
Watch. Need more info.
11. *SB0706 by Massey. (HB0711 by Hale.)
TennCare - Amends TCA Title 71. As introduced, enacts the "TennCare Network Reporting Reform Act."
12. *SB1031 by Bowling. (HB1157 by Lynn.)
Drugs, Prescription - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 68. As introduced, enacts the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act."
Watch. Creates a state government prohibition on promoting some FDA-regulated vaccines, masks or emergency use authorizations products.
3 p.m. CT – Education
1. *SJR0097 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Todd Skelton, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Advisory Board
2. *SJR0101 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Dakasha Winton, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
3. *SJR0102 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Charles Traughber, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
4. *SJR0103 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Marquita Qualls, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
5. *SJR0104 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Terica Smith, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
6. *SJR0105 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Jeffery Norfleet, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
7. *SJR0106 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Trevia Chatman, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
8. *SJR0107 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Dimeta Smith Knight, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
9. *SJR0109 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Thomas Lehrman, Public Charter School Commission
10. *SJR0113 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Rick Spell, University of Tennessee Health Science Center Advisory Board
11. *SJR0091 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Billy Bryan, Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission
12. SB0836 by Watson. (*HB0793 by Lamberth.)
Local Education Agencies - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 49. As introduced, authorizes LEAs and public charter schools to refuse to enroll students who are unlawfully present in the United States.
Watch. Bill aimed at overturning four decades of SCOTUS precedent