Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
A bill to uphold the U.S. Constitution and prevent the state of Tennessee from adopting or implementing United Nations policy recommendations, will now be considered in the House following committee passage in the Senate last month.
Senate Bill 1147 (SB1147) brought by Sen. Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains-District 8) and its companion House Bill 1346 (HB1346) brought by Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro-District 36), seek to prohibit infringements upon private property rights, perpetuated by none other than the United Nations.
“This is to send a message to the United Nations, that they can do whatever they want somewhere else, but they’re not gonna do it here in Tennessee.” Said Sen. Niceley.
The bill text states that Tennessee “and its political subdivisions shall not adopt or implement policy recommendations that deliberately or inadvertently infringe or restrict private property rights without due process, as may be required by policy recommendations originating in, or traceable to, [the United Nations’] ‘Agenda 21,’ […] or any other international law or ancillary plan of action that contravenes the constitution of the United States or the constitution of this state.”
According to the United Nations, Agenda 21 is “a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment.”
Agenda 21 was one of several environmental initiatives adopted by over 178 different governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June of 1992.
This legislation would also prohibit the state from entering into any agreements or contributing financially to non-governmental or intergovernmental organizations accredited or enlisted by the United Nations to assist in implementing the Agenda 21 initiative.
“You’d be surprised,” said Sen. Nicely, “the influence that the United Nations has on some of our planning commissions.”
In fact, both the City of Knoxville and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County are members of the International Council for Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI), a nonprofit organization with ties to the United Nations that assists local governments with sustainability goals.
These local governments pay an annual fee to be members of the ICLEI and gain access to resources, software, training, and assistance in accessing grants for sustainability purposes.
The fiscal note for SB1147/HB1346 proposes that some sustainability grants may no longer be accessible to Knoxville and Nashville which could result in an undetermined decrease in local revenue. However, it also states that their recurring annual expenditures would decrease by $2,250 and $3,500 respectively.
Tennessee would not be the first state to pass this type of bill, as Alabama passed similar legislation back in 2012.
On March 21st of this year, SB1147 was passed by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee by an 8-1 vote with Democrat Sen. Akbari maintaining the only nay vote.
SB1147 is currently awaiting official consideration on the Senate floor and HB1346 is scheduled to be heard by the House Civil Justice Committee on Wednesday, April 5th.
If you wish to express support for this legislation, contact information for the committee representatives can be found below.
Rep. Andrew Farmer (R) – Chair – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419
Rep. Darren Jernigan (D) – Vice Chair – rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6959
Rep. Bill Beck (D) – rep.bill.beck@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3229
Rep. Rush Bricken (R) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7448
Rep. Gino Bulso (R) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6808
Rep. Kip Capley (R) – rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2190
Rep. Rick Eldridge (R) – rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6877
Rep. Ron Gant (R) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6890
Rep. Johnny Garrett (R) – rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3893
Rep. Rusty Grills (R) – rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0718
Rep. Torrey Harris (D) – rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2239
Rep. William Lamberth (R) – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980
Rep. Mary Littleton (R) – rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7477
Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D) – rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741- 4575
Rep. Jason Powell (D) – rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6861
Rep. Lowell Russell (R) – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736
Rep. Robert Stevens (R) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3830
Rep. Chris Todd (R) – rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7475
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
I understand my information will not be published.
Thank you
This is particularly critical in light of the May meeting in Geneva, Switzerland of the WHO (World Health Organization) arm of the UN.
In that meeting they will be voting to give WHO total sovereignty over anything having to do with health in each of the 194 member nations, Biden already signed a law auto-approving anything WHO puts up for a vote. This vote was blocked by just one little country last year. This vote allows the WHO complete authority in the USA to close businesses, restrict travel, order the issuance of identification QR Codes to all people to prove they have been vaccinated etc etc.
To learn more google up former Congressmember Michelle Bachman, she has been on Daystar, Focus on the Family with James Dobson and other shows sounding the alarm.
WE NEED TO CONTACT OUR US REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS AND ASK THEM TO FIND A WAY TO BLOCK THIS.