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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Several new laws went into effect in Tennessee on January 1st. Here are some that may interest conservatives.
Preventing Voter Registration By Illegal Immigrants and Convicted Felons in Tennessee
HB0069, now Public Chapter 473, establishes safeguards to strengthen election integrity in the state by creating new verification systems and requiring visual distinctions on the face of photo IDs.
Prohibiting Non-Citizens From Voting in Elections
HB1283, now Public Chapter 394, requires minimum standards for election official training regarding temporary forms of identification issued to non-U.S. citizens that cannot be used as an ID on an application for ballot.
Governor Bill Lee’s Omnibus Immigration Initiative
HB6001, now Public Chapter 1, came out of Governor Bill Lee’s special legislative session last January on Education, Disaster Relief and Illegal Immigration. The law established the new Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security in Tennessee, as well as taking steps to fully prepare the state to cooperate with the Trump administration’s efforts in that area.
Criminalizing Use of Out-of-State Driver Licenses Issued To Illegal Aliens
HB0749, now Public Chapter 288, makes it a Class B misdemeanor to operate a motor vehicle in Tennessee without a valid driver license. Out-of-state driver licenses that have been issued exclusively to illegal aliens will be designated as invalid.
Creating a Registry of Domestic Violence Offenders
HB1200, now Public Chapter 520, enacts “Savanna’s Law” which mandates that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintain a registry of “persistent” domestic violence offenders that is available on the internet for the public. The registry will list the offender’s name, date of birth, conviction date, county (or counties) of convictions, and also include a current photograph of the offender. Offenders who are convicted of domestic violence more than once will be ordered to register.
Significantly Changing the Nature of the Hemp Industry in Tennessee
HB1376, now Public Chapter 526, changes where hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCP) can be sold, the potency of such products, and licensing oversight. Previously overseen by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, enforcement now shifts to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Once available at convenience and grocery stores, HDCP will only be sold at liquor stores or specialized hemp shops going forward.
Changes to the State’s Implied Consent Law
With the passage of HB1204, now Public Chapter 403, drivers who refuse to submit to a blood test while under investigation for a suspected DUI risk having their license suspended for up to eighteen months. Police officers are also allowed to request saliva tests, and the use of “reasonable force” to obtain a blood sample may be employed.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
