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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
As the 112th General Assembly continues in Nashville, legislators are working through a variety of bills that are beginning to see some movement through the House.
These bills include topics such as self-defense protections, a lowered age for gun carry permits, a gas tax, and conflicts of interest in county government. Read on for an overview of several of the newer bills, an update on their current status, and contact information for committee members who need your input on these potential laws.
House Bill 1769 (HB1769) – Self-Defense Protection
HB1769, sponsored by Representative Bruce Griffey (R-Paris-District 75), was filed for introduction on January 18, 2022, and would require courts to provide reimbursement to defendants who are charged with criminal homicide and then later found to be not guilty by reason of self-defense. The bill also gives the courts authorization to order the prosecuting attorney or the state to pay damages for malicious prosecution. – Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 7, and Title 39.
The bill has been passed on both first and second consideration and was assigned to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on January 24.
Read our in-depth article on this bill HERE.
Below is contact information for Republican members of the subcommittee.
Clay Doggett (chair) – rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7476
Michael G. Curcio – rep.michael.curcio@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3513
Andrew Farmer – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419
Bruce Griffey – rep.bruce.griffey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6804
Dan Howell – rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7799
William Lamberth – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980
Debra Moody – rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3774
Lowell Russell – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736
Jerry Sexton – rep.jerry.sexton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2534
House Bill 1735 (HB1735) – Firearms and Ammunition
Representative Chris Todd (R-Madison County-District 73) filed HB1735 for introduction on January 13, 2022. The bill as introduced would lower the legal age for a concealed handgun carry permit from 21 to 18 years of age. The bill does state that authorizations would not apply to anyone under 21 years of age on any property owned or affiliated with a school, unless the person is over 18 and meets specific military qualifications. – Amends TCA Title 39
The bill was passed on first and second consideration and was referred to the Civil Justice Committee. It was assigned to the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on January 24.
Contact the subcommittee’s Republican members below to provide your thoughts on this bill.
Lowell Russell (chair) – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736
Michael G. Curcio – rep.michael.curcio@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3513
Andrew Farmer – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419
Johnny Garrett – rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3893
Bruce Griffey – rep.bruce.griffey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6804
Brandon Ogles – rep.brandon.ogles@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6808
Bob Ramsey – rep.bob.ramsey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3560
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House Bill 1650 (HB1650) – Taxes, Gasoline, and Petroleum Products
Representative Bruce Griffey (R-Paris-District 75) filed this bill for introduction on December 13, 2021. This bill would reduce gasoline and diesel tax rates to 20 cents and 17 cents, respectively. It would also reallocate some of the funds received from these taxes to provide maintenance to state and local roadways. – Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 3, Part 4; Title 67, Chapter 6, Part 1; Title 67, Chapter 3, Part 2; and Title 67, Chapter 3, Part 9.
The bill was passed on first and second consideration. It was then referred to the Transportation Committee – Local Government Committee and was assigned to the House Transportation Subcommittee on January 13.
Read our in-depth article on this bill HERE.
See the contact information for all of the Republican subcommittee members below.
Sam Whitson (chair) – rep.sam.whitson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1864
Clark Boyd – rep.clark.boyd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7086
Rusty Grills – rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0718
Mark Hall – rep.mark.hall@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1350
Tim Hicks – rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1717
Dan Howell – rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7799
Lowell Russell – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736
Greg Vital – rep.greg.vital@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3025
House Bill 1684 (HB1684) – County Governments/Conflict of Interest
Representative William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44) filed HB1684 on January 11, 2022. This bill would make it mandatory for all members of a county legislative body to disclose any conflict of interest with a proposed budget, appropriation resolution, or tax rate resolution before casting a vote. – Amends TCA Title 5, Chapter 5 and Title 12, Chapter 4, Part 1.
At the time of writing, the bill has been passed on first and second consideration and was referred to the Local Government Committee. It was then assigned to the House Cities and Counties Subcommittee on January 18.
Contact the Republican subcommittee members below with your feedback on this bill.
Jerome Moon (chair) – rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5481
Kent Calfee – rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
John Crawford – rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7623
Ron M. Gant – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6890
Esther Helton – rep.esther.helton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741–1934
Dave Wright – rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6879
House Bill 1704 (HB1704) /Senate Bill 1758 (SB1758) – County Governments/Conflict of Interest
HB1704, filed by Representative Greg Vital (R-Harrison-District 29), provides a definition of “direct interest” and “indirect interest” for county officials. It also lowers the penalty for violating the disclosure requirements from a Class D felony to removal from office and the forfeiting of certain compensation.
The bill passed on first and second consideration and was referred to the Local Government Committee where it was then assigned to the House Cities and Counties Subcommittee. – Amends TCA Title 5, Chapter 14.
The sister bill, SB1758, is sponsored by Senator Bill Powers (R-Clarksville-District 22). It was filed for introduction on January 12 and passed on first consideration.
Contact information for all House subcommittee members can be found below.
Jerome Moon (chair) – rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5481
Kent Calfee – rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
John Crawford – rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7623
Ron M. Gant – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6890
Esther Helton – rep.esther.helton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741–1934
Dave Wright – rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6879
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
2 Responses
That’s all we need, another tax on already out of this world gas prices.
Did you actually read it ? It lowers gas and diesel taxes.