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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Representative Robin Smith and Senator Mark Pody are sponsoring a set of bills in the Tennessee General Assembly that, in part, would prohibit a state agency from lobbying for or against state-level legislation.
House Bill 1978 (HB1978), sponsored by Smith (R-Hixson-District 26), and Senate Bill 2275 (SB2275), sponsored by Senator Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17), in summary, seeks to prohibit state agencies from lobbying for or against state legislation. In addition, the companion bills would prohibit the use of appropriated funds or funds under the agency’s control for such purposes.
The legislation states that an executive agency, its employees, or authorized representatives or liaisons shall not use appropriated funds or funds under its control or engage in any activity in an attempt to influence legislative or administrative action.
Further, the ethics commission shall administratively assess civil penalties against an executive agency or an employee of an agency, or both, for a violation.
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The legislation states that penalties for violations may result in:
(A) The dismissal of the employee; and
(B) The agency being compelled to appear, upon proper motion, before the government operations committee of the house of representatives and the government operations committee of the senate for review in accordance with title 4, chapter 29, part 1. Upon review, either committee may make a recommendation to the general assembly to suspend the agency’s rulemaking authority for a reasonable time period or with respect to a subject matter, by legislative enactment.
The legislation states that the ethics commission may administratively assess a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars ($100) per day up to a maximum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) for a knowing violation.
If passed, the Act would take effect immediately upon becoming law.
HB1978 was placed on the Public Service Subcommittee calendar for hearing on February 16th but they chose to defer any action until March 2nd.
SB2275 was passed on first and second consideration and referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee but it has not appeared on their calendar to be heard upon the publication of this article.
This legislation joins several more pending bills in the Tennessee Legislature.
HB2522 / SB2193 seeks to prohibit a family member of a member of the general assembly from being a lobbyist while the member of the general assembly holds office.
HB2523 / SB2194 seeks to prohibit a family member of a member of the general assembly from lobbying state or local governments while the member of the general assembly holds office.
HB2785 / SB2838 seeks to prohibit paid lobbyists from serving as members of state and local boards, commissions, and other governmental entities.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
