| As we grind towards the end of the 105th Tennessee General Assembly session, it is very important that we focus on these bills and advocate on behalf of our support or opposition. Much is at stake and on the line.
Contact information for all committee members can be found at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/. Their contact information is also hyper-linked in the Legislative Report posted on the Women’s Political Web site. www.nashvilleWPC.com If you have an opportunity to attend a committee meeting, those times and locations are listed on the GA web site, as well as video streaming.
Thank you for your involvement and helping make a difference. The difference we make means a lot for women, children and families
Holly Spann
Vice President, Legislation
TWPC & NWPC
OPPOSE - SB3910/HB3713 - Prohibits any individual who is cohabitating in a sexual relationship outside of a marriage that is valid under the constitution and laws of this state from adopting a minor. This bill has many negative implications for both prospective adoptive parents and children in need of a forever home. Estimated fiscal impact is $4,548,500 along with other expenditures of $2,838,700. Senate Judiciary Committee calendar Tuesday, April 29.
SUPPORT – SJR0687 (Kurita, Ramsey) - Constitutional Amendment that provides for voter election of the lieutenant governor and the secretary of state; assigns certain qualifications and duties. (Passed in the Senate.) This is an opportunity for Tennesseans to be able to vote on more statewide offices and will open the door to more women and minorities being able to run in statewide elections: SJR0687 is now headed to the House subcommittee Budget of Finance, Ways and Means for Wednesday, April 30. Committee members: Harry Tindell, Chair, Joe Armstrong, Lois DeBerry, Craig Fitzhugh, Michael Harrison, Steve McDaniel, Gary Odom, Doug Overbey, Randy Rinks, Dennis Roach and Johnny Shaw.
OPPOSE - SJR127 - Proposed Constitutional Amendment relative to the right to privacy and abortion. Although SJR127 was defeated in a House subcommittee but is expected to come up at least once more during the session in an effort to pull the resolution directly to the House floor from the subcommittee for a vote. Please contact legislators asking that they oppose bypassing the House rules and oppose bringing SJR127 to the floor.
SUPPORT - SB3882/HB2888 - (Sen. Jim Kyle and Rep. Kent Coleman) This bill would eliminate a potential problem related to “spendthrift” trusts, which have recently become available in Tennessee after passage of a bill sought by the Tennessee Bankers Association last year. The trusts allow the protection of personal assets from any creditor after a four-year waiting period. According to the experts at the Tennessee Bar Association, the statute should include an exception for child support orders as is the case in several other states, and the Bar is seeking introduction of legislation that would add one. Placed on the Senate’s Regular Calendar (1) for Tuesday, April 29. Full Senate contact in formation on General Assembly web site. (Passed in the House 98-0)
SUPPORT - HJR116 - (Gilmore) Requests the Department of Correction to review the National Bill of Rights for Children of the Incarcerated and to update a 1995 report on Children and Families of Incarcerated Felons. Passed in the House. Now headed to the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Bill Ketron, Chair, Lowe Finney, Vice-Chair, Bo Watson , Secretary, Tim Burchett, Thelma Harper, Joe Haynes, Mark Norris, Steve Roller and Jim Tracy.
SUPPORT - Voter Confidence HB1256/SB1363 - The Tennessee Voter Confidence Act requires any voting system purchased after the effective date of this act to provide the ballot of record be a paper ballot marked by the voter with appropriate accommodation for persons with disabilities; requires such ballot to be available to voter to verify the vote; requires that secrecy of the voter's choice be maintained. The bill has a fiscal note of $9,535,000. Placed on House subcommittee Budget of Finance, Ways and Means calendar Wednesday, April 30. Committee members: Harry Tindell, Chair, Joe Armstrong, Lois DeBerry, Craig Fitzhugh, Michael Harrison, Steve McDaniel, Gary Odom, Doug Overbey, Randy Rinks, Dennis Roach and Johnny Shaw.
SUPPORT - SB4012/HB3936 - Requires the Commission on Children and Youth to design and oversee a resource mapping of all federal and state funding sources and streams that support the health, safety, permanence, growth, development and education of children in Tennessee. Passed in the Senate – behind the Budget in the House.
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