Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
SB0027, a bill which would prohibit orders, proclamations, or rules issued by the governor under his emergency management powers from suspending or conflicting with any part of the Tennessee Constitution has passed the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
Sponsored by Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon- District 17), the legislation would ultimately restrict the governor’s ability under emergency powers to suspend certain procedural provisions of a law, rule or regulation while not impeding the governor’s ability to issue executive orders or proclamations in emergency times.
This bill would ensure that citizens’ constitutional rights are upheld and protected during states of emergency, inspired by Senator Pody’s desire to put safeguards in place for Tennesseans after the draconian and unconstitutional measures mandated by many governors during the Covid-19 era.
During the Senate State and Local Government Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, Senator Pody elaborated on the bill and began by reading his Oath of Office, reaffirming the responsibilities of members of the General Assembly to uphold the both the US and Tennessee constitutions and to limit the power and authority of anyone, including a governor, to suspend those rights.
He also discussed an opinion issued by the Attorney General (AG) on the bill, citing the AG’s agreement that the governor retains only executive powers, delegated by the legislature and constitution, during times of emergency and holds no legislative ability.
“We want to make sure that in Tennessee, we’re clearly stating that nobody has the right to suspend the constitution,” Pody closed.
The final roll-call vote was 8-1 in favor of recommendation, with Senator Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville-District 21) being the lone dissenter, though Chair Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville- District 7) did give a conditional “Yes” vote as he believes the bill has issues but needed to be passed out of committee.
SB0027 has now been referred to the Senate Calendar Committee for consideration before the full Senate.
In the House, the companion bill HB0324, carried by Rep. Jody Barrett (R-Dixon-District 69), was assigned to the Public Service Subcommittee on February 3rd but has not yet been placed on the committee’s calendar.
For more information on the bill and the importance of protecting our constitutional rights from the governor’s wide-ranging emergency powers, click here to watch an interview with Kayla Garretson of the Tennessee Freedom Initiative offering more details.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
