Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Legislation that would create a process by which the state could nullify actions taken by the federal government has passed the House Public Service Subcommittee and will head on to the full State Government Committee.
House Bill 0726 (HB0726), sponsored by Representative Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2), would enact the “Restoring State Sovereignty Through Nullification Act.”
In his introduction of the bill, Hulsey noted that, when the Constitution was created, “sovereignty of the state was superior.” He discussed a number of instances of federal overreach and explained that the bill outlined five ways that the nullification process can take place to push back against that undue power.
Towards the end of his explanation, Hulsey reminded fellow legislators that “we swore that we would always defend the unalienable rights of Tennessee citizens by defending and upholding the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee.”
The subcommittee then went out of session briefly to hear from citizens who wished to express support for the bill.
After going back into session, the floor was opened for questions.
Representative Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro-District 36) noted that he was in favor of the bill but was concerned by one portion. He wanted Hulsey to consider changing the requirement of 2000 signatures for nullification to a higher number.
Hulsey responded that if the bill was passed to full committee, he would gladly sit down and reconsider that number.
With no more questions, a voice vote was taken. Ayes prevailed, sending the bill on to the full House State Government Committee. However, the bill has not appeared on the committee’s calendar upon publication of this article.
Companion Senate Bill 1092 (SB1092), sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), is set to be heard by the Senate State and Local Government Committee on March 14th.
If you would like to express support for SB1092, contact the members of the Senate State and Local Government Committee prior to their meeting on March 14th using the contact information below.
Richard Briggs (R) (Chair) – sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1766
Page Walley (R) (Vice-Chair) – sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2368
Mark Pody (R) (2nd Vice-Chair) – sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2421
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
John Stevens (R)- sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576
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
