Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill that seeks to prevent government overreach in future pandemics or other state emergencies passed in the House State and Local Government Committee on Wednesday in spite of five Republicans who either voted against it or chose not to vote at all.
Representatives John Crawford (R-Bristol/Kingsport-District 1), and Dan Howell (R-Cleveland-District 22) voted No along with three Democrats, while Representatives Mary Littleton (R-Dickson-District 78), Jerome Moon (R-Maryville-District 8), and Dave Wright (R-Corryton-District 19) abstained from voting.
The 12 to 5 vote advances House Bill 0562 (HB0562), sponsored by Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32), to the House Calendar and Rules Committee for Thursday, April 3rd, 2025.
“It’s never the role of government to pick winners and losers,” said Fritts during his introduction of the bill, “And it’s always our role to protect the rights of citizens.”
Events that transpired during the 2020 pandemic, led Fritts to bring the legislation which would ensure that any Tennessean with an occupation or means of livelihood that is not specifically deemed to be unlawful in the state could not be categorized as “non-essential” during future state emergencies.
During the Covid-19 state of emergency, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order No. 22 which ordered all businesses deemed non-essential to immediately close and urged people to shelter in place in their homes. As a result many struggled to keep businesses afloat, and lost their means of livelihood.
In response to Lee’s overreach, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation in 2021 protecting an individual’s right to work and the necessity of all jobs as they relate to the state’s economy.
Fritts’ bill adds to this statute by providing recourse for Tennesseans to bring civil action for damages against any political subdivision or public official who violates the law in the future, with a court awarding the plaintiff litigation costs and fees, including attorneys’ fees, should they prevail in their suit.
Patrick Sheehan, who serves as the Director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), spoke to the committee about concerns he had with the way the legislation is written.
Representative Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92) asked Sheehan just one question. “Are you here on behalf of the Governor today?”
Sheehan replied, “I am, yes.”
Before the vote on his bill, Fritts said to the committee, “I would offer to you that the director just exemplified to you why we need this law. This director just exemplified to you that he is okay with declaring you Tennesseans, and the 70,000 that you represent non-essential to make his job easier.”
The companion Senate Bill 1048 (SB1048) sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) was referred to the Senate Calendar Committee on Tuesday.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Good, thanx!