A Bill That Combats “Draconian Overreach” And Restores Tennessee’s State Sovereignty Will Be Heard In Both House And Senate Next Week

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

A bill that combats “draconian overreach” and restores state sovereignty to Tennessee will be heard in both the House and Senate next week.

The “Restoring State Sovereignty Through Nullification Act” has been a priority for bill sponsor Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) since 2022 when she first filed a bill “to end Tennessee’s practical participation with federal actions that it finds constitutionally violate.” 

In the wake of Covid-19 lockdowns, mandates and restrictions, Bowling said, “I think we all have to concur it’s an undeniable fact that our federal government has grown well beyond its specifically enumerated powers.”

Bowling’s attempts to have the bill passed were stymied for two legislative seasons in a row, and this year makes the third attempt with the bill being reintroduced as Senate bill 2775 (SB2775).

The corresponding House Bill 2795 (HB2795) is being carried by Representative Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2).

The bill aims to create an “orderly pathway for the state to use the nullification process” by establishing five ways in which state nullification of federal action may be invoked.

If made law, petitions would be submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Once found valid, a “bill of nullification” would be introduced in the General Assembly and sent to both chambers for a vote.

The Senate State and Local Government Committee will hear SB2775 on March 12th, 2024. To voice your support or opposition to this legislation, contact the members of that committee using the contact information below prior to that date.

Senate State & Local Government Committee 

Richard Briggs (R) – sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1766

Ed Jackson (R) – sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1810

Sara Kyle (D) – sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4167

Adam Lowe (R) – sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1946

Mark Pody (R) – sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2421

John Stevens (R) – sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576

Page Walley (R) – sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2368

Ken Yager (R) – sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1449

Jeff Yarbro (D) – sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3291

sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov, sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov, sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov, sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov, sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov, sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov, sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov, sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov, sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov  

HB2795 will also be heard in the House Public Service Subcommittee on March 12th, 2024. In order to express your support or concerns regarding the bill, contact the representatives below before their meeting.

House Public Service Subcommittee

Rep. Iris Rudder (R) – Chair – rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8695

Rep. Rebecca K. Alexander (R) – rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2251

Rep. Vincent Dixie (D) – rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1997

Rep. Rick Eldridge (R) – rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6877

Rep. Curtis Johnson (R) – rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4341

Rep. Kelly Keisling (R) – rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov  – (615) 741-6852

Rep. Dennis Powers (R) – rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3335

rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov, rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov 

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. 

You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.