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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Tennessee legislation that would stymie social media’s censorship of Tennessee elections and citizens is set to be heard on April 26th, 2022 in the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee and in the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee.
The Senate version (SB2161) was scheduled to be heard this week but was rolled to next week; while the last action in the House was to place the bill ‘behind the budget.’
Senate Bill 2161, sponsored by Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson-District 11), and House Bill 2369, sponsored by Representative Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro-District 36), in summary, seeks to designate social media platforms (SMPs) as common carriers and requires the entities to obtain certificates of public convenience and necessity from the Tennessee public utilities commission; establishes that SMPs may not intentionally deplatform or shadow ban a user of the SMP based on various factors. Authorizes TPUC to investigate suspected violations and conduct contested case hearings. Prescribes penalties and fines that TPUC may issue for violations. Upon a finding of a violation after a contested case hearing, a user is authorized to bring a private cause of action and may be awarded various damages, costs, and fees.
Representative Dennis Powers said in one of the previous committee meetings, “We wish the federal government would have dealt with this years ago, and they should have but because they have not, it’s gone back to the States. The States created the Federal Government, so we really have that obligation – if the Federal Government is not doing their job, we need to step in. This is going to be model legislation for other states. The Common Carrier Law is one that we feel has Constitutional muster, it’s the one that U.S. Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas said would work.”
Senator Bo Watson implored Tennesseans for their help in passage of the bill in a statement he issued to the Tennessee Conservative.
“There is still a lot of road ahead of us. I need people to stay engaged,” Watson said.
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If you support this legislation, contact the Republican members of the Senate Committee and House Subcommittee prior to their meetings on Tuesday, April 26th. You can find their contact information below.
Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee – Republican Members
Bo Watson (chair) (R) – sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov – 615) 741-3227
John Stevens (1st vice-chair) (R)- sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576
Joey Hensley (2nd vice-chair) (R)- sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3100
Todd Gardenhire (R)- sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6682
Ferrell Haile (R)- sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1999
Jack Johnson (R)- sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2495
Jon Lundberg (R)- sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5761
Dawn White (R)- sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6853
Ken Yager (R)- sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1449
House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee – Republican Members
Gary Hicks (chair) (R)- rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7480
Charlie Baum (R)- rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6849
Ron Gant (R)- rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6890
David Hawk (R)- rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7482
Patsy Hazlewood (R)- rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2746
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 Director 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
