Senate Committee Stalls Bill To Expand Citizen Input At Public Meetings; Passes New Tennessee Holidays Bill

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

The Senate State and Local Government Committee heard two conservative bills in their Tuesday, 3/18 meeting, passing one and intentionally stalling the other. 

Creating Holidays To Celebrate of Life, Liberty, & Pursuit of Happiness: Passed

SB0503, sponsored by Senator Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale-District 32), designating three months out of the year as celebrations of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness across the state of Tennessee passed the Senate State and Local Government Committee and will now move to the full Senate for a vote.

The bill seeks to honor the upcoming 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by designating the months of June, July, and August in Tennessee as months of observance and celebration of the rights outlined within that founding document. 

At Tuesday’s committee meeting, Senator Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville-District 21) expressed opposition to the bill for injecting a “divisive issue” into a celebration of shared American history and ideals, most likely referring to dedicating June as “Celebration of Life” month honoring the US Supreme Court decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which overturned 1973’s Roe v Wade. 

The vote was 7-1 in favor of recommendation to the Senate Calendar Committee, with Democrat Sen. Kyle “Passing” on the vote. Those voting “Yes” were Briggs, Gardenhire, Hatcher, Jackson, Lowe, Roberts, and Walley. The “No” vote was from Democrat Sen. Yarbro.  

In the House, the companion HB0327 is carried by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61) and will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 3/19.

Expanding Citizen Input At Public Meetings: Stalled

SB0178, has been stalled in the same committee by an unusual vote. There were three “Yes” votes, zero “No” votes, and six “Passes”, keeping the bill stuck in the committee. 

Sponsored by Sen. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun-District 1), the legislation seeks to remedy the “agenda item” loophole in current law by giving constituents the right to speak on any topic in front of the public governing body, so long as the constituent addresses, “any matter germane to the jurisdiction of the governing body.” 

Presently, the law only mandates that citizens be allowed to speak on agenda items at meetings of public governing bodies. The new bill would still allow the bodies to control the amount of time a constituent may speak and enact other restrictions to allow all viewpoints to be expressed in an orderly manner.

In the committee, Sen. Lowe, presented an amendment clarifying that a “local governing body” includes a city, town, county, or metropolitan government, school district, regional authority, or other political subdivision of the state or local government.

Sen. Richard Briggs was surprised there were no questions on the amendment, stating he thought, “it would be more controversial.”

There were no questions about the bill as amended. Members voting “Yes” were Senators Gardenhire, Lowe, and Roberts, all Republicans. Those “Passing” were Sens. Briggs, Hatcher, Jackson, Kyle, Walley, and Yarbro.

As a majority of members passed, the committee considers this to mean no action was taken on the bill, therefore it remains in committee. Though the bill did not officially fail, the committee must take action on it within seven days, or it will be subject to recall or withdrawal by a majority vote of the Senate. Many bills not acted upon in committee are effectively “killed” and will never reach the full floor for a vote.

The House companion, HB0022, sponsored by Rep. Elaine Davis (R-Knoxville-District 18) passed the full House in a 60-30 vote, and many constituents who support the legislation are sure to be disappointed if the Senate fails to act on legislation which would expand First Amendment Rights for citizens across the state.

Bill Expanding Citizen Input At Public Meetings Passes In Tennessee House

Endorsement Of Proposed Tennessee Law To Require Citizen Input At Public Meetings

Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.