The Senate passed legislation this week to give approved teachers with specialty training more tools to protect themselves and their students from an active shooter. Senate Bill 1325, sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), would allow authorized, full-time school faculty and staff to carry a concealed weapon on campus if certain strict requirements are met. …

Read more »

Today, State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) announced efforts to pursue initiatives to help with recovery efforts in Sunbright, Tennessee. On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, an EF-1 tornado hit Sunbright causing damage to numerous residential and commercial buildings.  “Unfortunately, the destruction does not meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards to receive funding,” said Yager. “Given…

Read more »

The Tennessee Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Support (VICTIMS) Act, sponsored by Senator Ed Jackson (R-Jackson) and Representative Lowell Russell (R-Vonore), unanimously advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Criminal Justice Committee. The legislation aims to combat violent crime and bolster public safety across the state by strategically funding police…

Read more »

(NASHVILLE) This week, Senate Republicans advanced measures to protect constitutional rights, improve public safety and educate Tennessee children on the development of unborn children. Almost all legislative business has shifted from committees to the Senate floor. The full Senate will meet four times next week to deliberate and pass bills advanced from committees. All but…

Read more »

(NASHVILLE) – This week on Capitol Hill lawmakers were hard at work passing meaningful legislation to improve the lives of Tennesseans as the General Assembly begins to wind down. Public safety was a big focus this week. Among the important measures passed were several bills to curb the effects of illegal immigration in Tennessee and…

Read more »

(KNOXVILLE) At a press conference on March 22, 2024, Knoxville lawmakers announced a recently released report from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) on East Tennessee psychiatric hospital resources. The report is in response to an October 2023 letter from Lieutenant Governor McNally, Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), and Senator Richard…

Read more »

(NASHVILLE) – The Senate Education Committee concluded its business this week, with four of five Senate standing committees now closed. The Senate body was hard at work this week advancing legislation to improve public and school safety, protect Second Amendment rights, cut taxes, and empower parents.   Next week, lawmakers will begin discussions to finalize the…

Read more »

The Transportation and Safety Committee concluded its business for the year, while several other committees set their final calendars.  All nine standing committees completed their budget hearings where they closely examined 63 total budgets from state departments and agencies.   On Monday, in a joint session of the General Assembly, lawmakers confirmed Mary L. Wagner, of…

Read more »

(NASHVILLE) – Lawmakers were hard at work this week, as the Senate is in full swing. The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee concluded its business for the year, while many other committees will be working off their final calendars next week. Every committee is advancing important legislation to improve the lives of Tennesseans….

Read more »

(NASHVILLE) This week, Senate Republicans advanced several bills to increase penalties for criminals, specifically repeat offenders and criminals who target children. Strengthening Tennessee’s response to repeat misdemeanor offenders To address the issue of persistent crime, Tennessee lawmakers are prioritizing solutions to tackle the challenge of repeat misdemeanor offenders who often avoid significant consequences. Senator Bo…

Read more »