Bill Preventing Tennessee Voter Registration For Illegal Immigrants, Convicted Felons Clears Another House Committee

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

HB0069, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44) has cleared its third House committee on its way through the legislative process.

It first passed through the Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee before moving to the State & Local Government Committee then clearing the Transportation Committee in an 18-1 vote on Tuesday, March 25.

The legislation intends to establish “major safeguards to strengthen election integrity in Tennessee” and does three main things:

1) Requires the Secretary of State to work with local and state election officials to create a secure electronic portal for county election administrators to verify U.S. citizenship and voter eligibility by January of 2025.

2) Requires the coordinator of elections, in collaboration with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to create a similar portal to verify whether someone is ineligible to vote because of a felony conviction by January of 2025.

3) Requires a visual distinction, such as a color or font on the face of a photo identification license, to differentiate the class designation for the purpose of voting.

After Rep. Lamberth introduced the bill there were no questions, and the body immediately moved to a vote, which was 18-1 in favor of recommendation for passage. 

The 18 “Yes” votes came from Republican and Democrat Reps. Rebecca Alexander, Fred Atchley, Ed Butler, Elaine Davis, Ronnie Glynn, Torrey Harris, David Hawk, Dan Howell, Pat Marsh, Jake McCalmon, Michele Reneau, Tim Rudd, Lowell Russell, Paul Sherrell, Robert Stevens, Chris Todd, Greg Vital, and Dave Wright. 

Democrat Aftyn Behn was the lone “No” vote.

The bill will now move to another committee, the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee. The Senate companion, sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 27), still awaits its first hearing before a committee, not yet assigned a date before the Senate State & Local Government Committee. 

To contact members of the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee, use this information:  

HB0069 Summary: As introduced, requires the coordinator of elections, in collaboration with the department of safety and Tennessee bureau of investigation, to create two electronic portals prior to January 1, 2028, for purposes of verifying an applicant’s eligibility to vote based upon United States citizenship and conviction of a felony prior to registering the applicant to vote; requires department of safety to issue lawful permanent residents a temporary driver license, instead of a standard license, to aid in determining voter eligibility for someone who presents a Tennessee driver license as identification. – Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 38; Title 39; Title 41 and Title 55.

Rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.lee.reeves@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov

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.