Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill which would have required all written driver license testing within the state to only be administered in English failed in the House Transportation Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 19.
HB0556, sponsored by Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown-District 71), would also have prohibited the use of any kind of aid in taking the exam including a translation dictionary, electronic device, or an interpreter.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Subcommittee Chairman David Hawk announced that though he thought the bill, “sounds good, reads well on paper, I do have some concerns about the piece of legislation. I’ll be voting ‘No’ on the bill.”
He stated that while he understood the legislation was important to Rep. Capley’s district and acknowledged that he has seen this bill for, “many, many years,” the concerns brought forth by the Department of Economic & Community Development (ECD) and the “feelings” of other citizens about the legislation were enough to keep him from supporting it.
Citizen testimony included several individuals in opposition to the bill. One speaker claimed that since it takes time for immigrants to learn a new language, having the test in English would be placing an “unfair obstacle in front of people who are already striving to succeed and contribute to our state.”
Rep. Lowell Russell (R-Vonore-District 21) commented that while he “likes” the bill, “I’m just not there in voting for it yet. I think we need to look at more of a reciprocal agreement. Like if [other] countries allow English tests there, we allow their language here. I’m just not totally for it just yet.”
Rep. Dan Howell (R-Cleveland-District 22) bluntly stated, “I don’t like your bill. It’s already illegal for illegal aliens to have a driver’s license in Tennessee, so what this bill does is address those people who are already here on a work visa, green card, who are here legally…. I know the Tennessee Chamber is opposed to this, ECD is opposed to this because it could have a very negative economic impact on the state of Tennessee. For that reason, I’ll have to vote no.”
In his final rebuttal, Rep. Capley clarified, “I did not mention any illegal persons at all. If it’s your position that this is for the safety of Tennesseans, if you can take the test in English, you can pass it in English, we’re not asking them to learn the entire language. The signs are in English, the commands are in English, when you get pulled over, guess what? It’s in English. So, vote your conscience.”
The vote was 5-3 against passage, with Rep. Michele Reneau marking herself Present Not Voting (PNV). Members voting “No” were Democrat Rep. Behn and Republican Reps. Hawk, Howell, Russell, and Wright. Those voting “Yes” were Reps. Atchley, Butler, and McCalmon.
The failure of this legislation by a Republican-majority committee seems to highlight a discrepancy between Tennessee’s lawmakers and President Donald Trump’s America-first agenda, which many Tennessee lawmakers claim to support.
On March 1, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) declaring English to be the official language of the United States, stating, “A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language.”
The order also reads, “In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream. Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society. This order recognizes and celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English and passed it to their children for generations to come.”
HB0556 would certainly have embodied the principles and reasoning outlined in the EO which stands in direct contrast to the rationale many committee members used while voting against the bill.
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.
One Response
Accursed RINOS.