House Subcommittee To Hear Legislation Prohibiting “Foreign Adversaries” From Conducting Business In Tennessee (Update 2.16.24)
***Update 2.16.24 – HB1841 has Placed on the House Public Service Subcommittee calendar for 2/20/2024. To voice your support or opposition to the legislation, find the subcommittee members listed at the bottom of this article and contact them prior to their meeting.***
Image: Representative John Ragan Image Credit: State Representative John Ragan / Facebook & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The House Public Service Subcommittee will consider a bill that would prohibit certain foreign entities from doing business within the state of Tennessee.
House Bill 1841 (HB1841), submitted by Representative John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge-District 33), states, “As introduced, prohibits certain foreign entities from submitting bids for contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state; requires entities bidding on contracts to make certain disclosures and certifications related to the entities’ business relationship with certain foreign entities; provides for civil penalties if the disclosures or certifications are false.”
The legislation would prevent foreign adversaries from being able to conduct business with the state of Tennessee. It would also require any business that submits a bid for a state contract to disclose if they have had any prior business interactions with the countries that the state considers ineligible.
The bill also allows for hefty financial penalties if an entity is not transparent regarding that information.
Nationally, there are over a dozen other states in the US that have enacted laws against foreign entities engaging in contracts that include large business transactions, namely real estate.
The bill defines “Foreign Adversary” as the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic, including any agent of or any other entity under significant control of such foreign country of concern, or any other entity deemed a foreign adversary by the governor in consultation with the department of safety and homeland security…”
The House Public Service Subcommittee will meet on February 13.
The contact information for the members of the House Public Service Subcommittee is listed below if you wish to reach out to them before that February 13th meeting.
Rep. Iris Rudder (R) – Chair – rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8695
Rep. Rebecca K. Alexander (R) – rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2251
Rep. Vincent Dixie (D) – rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1997
Rep. Rick Eldridge (R) – rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6877
Rep. Curtis Johnson (R) – rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4341
Rep. Kerry Keisling (R) – rep.kerry.keisling@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6852
Rep. Dennis Powers (R) – rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3335
“Foreign adversary” as defined by whoever somebody doesn’t like or maybe can’t compete with.
Are we at war with People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic?
If not, then are at peaceful, normal relations?
This where Republicans are as bad as Democrats. This serves some greed head, like sabotaging Nordstream II for Sen. TEd Cruz’s Texas LNG buddies could move in with higher prices and wreck Germany’s economy.
Why are foreigners biddin gon state contracts to begi with? And what about Israel and it’s genocidal Gaza Campign? Israel would certainly benefit from this. Eh? Along with all teh $ billions in “foreign aid” used to buy off U.S. congressmen and apparently a few in TN.
Sanctions isloate the U.S and in thiscas TN more than anyone else, Sport!
Anyone with a brain and can read would understand that the list of offending nations is a very good place to start. Morons referring to “Israel’s genocidal Gaza campaign” have zero credibility.
Thanx, emailed them YES!!
At first glance I liked the bill. However, the definition of “Foreign adversary”. It seems that the TN definition should be connected to those foreign enemies as defined by the fed gov/State Department. There are concerning entities that are missing such as terrorist groups with large amounts of money but aren’t mentioned on this list.