Bill to Prevent Foreign Ownership Of TN Property Heads To House Floor

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

Legislation that would prevent foreign persons who are non-residents from owning property in Tennessee progressed in the State House of Representatives on Tuesday.

House Bill 0040 (HB0040) is sponsored by Representative Jay Reedy (R-Erin-District 74). The bill, “as introduced, prohibits foreign ownership of real property in this state by non-resident aliens and foreign entities if the laws of the country where such aliens reside, or such entities are located, prohibit citizens of the United States or its territories or possessions from purchasing real property located within that country.”

The bill was originally placed behind the budget on March 8th because of the $80,000 fiscal note that was attached to the bill, covering the cost of the creation of a new reporting system to keep track of the purchases. 

In previous sessions, it was rare to see a bill brought back from being placed behind the budget, but in the case of HB0040, it was placed on the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee calendar for Tuesday, April 18th.

After a voice vote passing the bill in the subcommittee, it went on to be heard in the full Finance, Ways, and Means committee the same day. A voice vote in that committee passed the legislation on to the regular calendar. 

HB0040 will now be presented on the House Floor for a vote on April 20th. If you support this legislation, you can find your Representative’s contact information HERE.

The companion Senate Bill 0122 (SB0122), sponsored by Senator Frank Nicely (R-Strawberry Plains-District 8), will be heard by the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on April 20th.

To voice your support for SB0122, contact the committee members listed below:

Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

Bo Watson (Chair) (R) – sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3227

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

Joey Hensley (R) – sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3100

Ferrell Haile (R) – sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1999

Jack Johnson (R) – sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2495

London Lamar (D) – sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2509

Bill Powers (R) – sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2374

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

Dawn White (R) – sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6853)

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

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

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 Director 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