News

Republicans crack down on impersonation of ride-share drivers

A proposal to crack down on criminally impersonating a taxi or ride-share driver in Tennessee advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week.  

House Bill 786, sponsored by State Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for criminal impersonation of a taxi or ride-share driver and enhances the penalty to a Class E felony if the impersonation is done while committing a separate felony. 

“No Tennessean should have to be fearful when requesting a ride to get to where they need to be,” Davis said. “Impersonating taxi or ride-share drivers poses a serious threat to law-abiding residents and tourists, and we must be vigilant in responding to the evolving methods in which criminals operate. This common-sense legislation will improve public safety in the Volunteer State by holding offenders accountable for their sinister actions.”   

House Bill 786 makes it an offense to impersonate taxi and ride-share drivers by making false statements, deceptively using a company’s signage and branding, falsely connecting oneself with a company, or falsely claiming to respond to a passenger ride request. 

There have been several incidents of people impersonating ride-share and taxi drivers to scam and assault riders across the Volunteer State. 

House Bill 786 is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on March 5. 

Law expedites removal of squatters on commercial property 

A proposal to expedite the removal of squatters from commercial property in Tennessee advanced out of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Feb. 26. 

House Bill 216, sponsored by State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, will allow for the immediate removal of squatters on commercial property if certain conditions are met, building on a previous law Rudd passed creating an expedited eviction process for lawful Tennessee homeowners. 

“Tennesseans work hard to be able to own commercial real estate and bad actors should have no path to hijack that land,” Rudd said. “Squatters on commercial property are violating the law and threatening the public health and safety of surrounding communities. We have worked hard to ensure this doesn’t happen to homeowners in the Volunteer State, and this legislation will provide a process for legitimate owners to quickly remove illegal trespassers from their commercial property as well.” 

To immediately evict an illegal squatter from commercial property, House Bill 216 will require the person requesting removal to be the property owner or an authorized agent. The squatter must have unlawfully entered when the property was not open to members of the public and the owner previously directed the squatter to leave. The squatter must not be a current or former tenant or an immediate family member of the owner. A local sheriff could serve a notice to vacate to the squatters and arrest violators for trespass, outstanding warrants or other legal causes upon receipt of a complaint from the property owner. 

Prior to Rudd’s previous anti-squatting law taking effect on July 1, 2024, it could take up to two years to remove an illegal squatter and cost a residential property owner thousands of dollars in legal fees, lost revenue and property repairs. House Bill 216 seeks to provide a similar streamlined eviction process for commercial property owners. 

House Bill 216 is scheduled to be considered in the House Judiciary Committee on March 5.

Increased penalties for unlawful photography advances

Legislation to expand the offense of unlawful photography and increase penalties for offenders advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week. 

House Bill 403, sponsored by State Rep. John Crawford, R-Bristol, broadens the definition of unlawful photography to include any photograph the defendant knew would capture the victim engaged in sexual activity. The bill raises the penalty for unlawful photography from a Class A misdemeanor or Class E felony to a Class D felony in certain circumstances.

“Hopefully this will bring us back up to where these perverts are being properly dealt with and maybe put some fear in some of them before they commit the crime,” Crawford told members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Feb. 26.

The legislation also allows victims of unlawful photography to request an order of protection, providing greater legal safeguards for Tennesseans who have been victims of or threatened with this heinous crime. 

House Bill 403 will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on March 5. 

Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act advances

Legislation addressing children’s safety and behavioral concerns in Tennessee schools advanced out of the House Education Administration Subcommittee this week. 

The Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act, sponsored by State Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, would create a computer-based system for educators and school staff to report concerns about a student’s safety, health or behavior to the school’s threat assessment team.

“Teachers and school staff are interacting with students daily and often the first to notice behavioral changes that may signal underlying issues,” Reedy said. “As mandated reporters of child safety, this bill gives teachers and schools the ability to address concerns before they escalate and protect the well-being of all students.”

The school’s threat assessment team would immediately be notified when a report is filed to determine if further action is needed. The legislation instructs local school districts to train teachers and support staff on early warning signs, which include claims of harassment, bullying, threats of violence, substance abuse, self-harm or suicidal ideation. 

The General Assembly in 2023 approved a new law requiring a threat assessment team in every school district to ensure students are connected to support services and behavioral health professionals when appropriate. 

Timely reporting and reviews of potential behavioral threats is essential to successfully intervening with struggling individuals, according to a report from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the United States Department of Justice. 

School systems would be required to submit an annual report to the Tennessee Department of Education summarizing the data collected during the school year. 

House Bill 522 is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 4. 

Republicans propose to ensure truckers are English-proficient

Legislation to ensure commercial drivers in Tennessee can communicate and comprehend English advanced out of the House Transportation Subcommittee this week. 

House Bill 1023, sponsored by State Rep. Lowell Russell, R-Vonore, requires law enforcement to issue an out-of-service order to any commercial driver who cannot sufficiently read, speak or understand English to communicate with the public, interpret traffic signs and signals or fill out required documentation. 

“This law was in effect at the federal level until the Obama administration removed it as out-of-service criteria in 2016,” Russell said. “While it has since been reinstated, this bill ensures Tennessee maintains the law if the federal government repeals it again.” 

This law would take effect 90 days after written notice if the federal government repeals it in the future. 

Drivers issued an out-of-service order would have their commercial driver’s license (CDL) suspended until they can pass an English proficiency test. All CDL and endorsement tests are only offered in English with no interpreters allowed, as required by federal law. 

This bill also establishes penalties for employers whose drivers fail to meet the language requirements. 

House Bill 1023 is scheduled to be heard in the House Transportation Committee on March 4. 

House advances bill to regulate hemp-derived THC products

In an effort to protect consumer health and safety, a new law seeks to regulate the sale and distribution of hemp-derived products in Tennessee. 

House Bill 1376 establishes a regulatory system to better control the distribution and sale of hemp-based tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. Hemp-derived THC products are widely available through retail sales in Tennessee and sold in the form of gummies, patches, beverages, and flowers. 

Sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, House Bill 1376 transfers regulatory authority from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and establishes a hemp distributor license. It requires hemp suppliers to register hemp brands and assign a distributor through the Tennessee Department of Revenue.It will be regulated similarly to the way alcohol is regulated in Tennessee. 

“It is the wild west out there. You don’t know what you are buying and that is a problem,” Lamberth told members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Feb. 26. “If you buy a Sprite, you should get a Sprite. If you buy a beer, you should get a beer…you know what that experience is, you know what you’re buying and you know what is contained within it. Unfortunately, with hemp products in this state, that is not always the case. These products need to be tested, they need proper labeling, and we need to make sure we are only selling to (adults) ages 21 and up.”

Key highlights of the bill include:

• Prohibits hemp sales within 1,000 feet of a school
• Adds a 1 cent tax per milligram of THC in hemp products in addition to the current 6% retail tax
• Only allows the sale of hemp products at liquor stores and licensed hemp retailers
• Prohibits direct shipment of hemp-derived THC products to consumers. Specifies that hemp sales must be face-to-face transactions. 
• Serving size remains at 25 milligrams and sets a cap of 50 milligrams of THC per container 

House Bill 1376 is expected to be heard for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee on March 5. 

Republicans hope to expand community school grants 

A proposal to create a community school grant program advanced out of the House K-12 Subcommittee this week. 

 House Bill 225, sponsored by State Rep. Kirk Haston, R-Lobelville, repeals the Tennessee Community Schools Act passed in 2014 to establish a grant program to fund and expand full-service community schools across the state. 

Full-service community schools are public schools that partner with local organizations to provide a variety of services to students and their families during and after school hours, including mental health support, tutoring and GED classes for parents.

“Research shows that properly implemented community schools have reduced absenteeism, increases in math and ELA test scores and reduced school discipline rates,” Haston said.

The legislation would allow local school boards to use grant funds administered by the University of Tennessee (UT) system to create the schools. The UT system will also be responsible for evaluating and sharing best practices for effective community schools. 

There are currently 158 community schools across the Volunteer State serving more than 100,000 students, according to the TN Community Schools Network. House Bill 225 is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 4. 

TN economic wins, nuclear energy initiatives presented

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD), led by Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, on Monday delivered a budget presentation to the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee highlighting economic success and addressing future energy needs. 

The Department reported in 2024 it landed 67 new projects, 9,666 new jobs commitments and $7.2 billion in capital investments, with 79 percent of investments in rural Tennessee. In the last six years, Tennessee has landed 605 new projects and added more than 100,000 new jobs, McWhorter said. 

Through rural economic development efforts, Tennessee has seen a significant drop in distressed counties, declining from 15 in 2019 to just nine today. 

The proposed ECD budget includes a combined $60 million for Nuclear Industry Initiative Grants and the Small Modular Reactor Grant Fund. These investments aim to advance the state’s energy supply and support industry development, ensuring the state remains competitive in advanced manufacturing. 

The Department also highlighted Tennessee’s latest accolades for its economic development efforts. Tennessee has been named: 

• No. 1 in Energy Availability and Costs from Area Development 
• No. 1 in Overall Cost of Doing Business from Area Development 
• No. 1 in Cooperative and Responsive State/Local Government from Area Development 
• No. 3 Best States for Business from Chief Executive 
• No. 3 Best States for Doing Business from Area Development  
• No. 4 in Water Availability from Area Development 
• No. 5 in Best Business Climate from Business Facilities 

Resolution urges reporting of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 

The Tennessee House of Representatives on Feb. 27 unanimously passed a resolution urging the Tennessee Department of Health to create a reporting system to track Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT), a common inherited neurological disorder affecting an estimated 2,800 Tennesseans.

Sponsored by State Rep. Dennis Powers, R-Jacksboro, House Joint Resolution 120 emphasizes the importance of better data collection to help the state allocate health care resources more effectively. Powers shared his personal connection to the disease with members on the House floor. 

“We don’t know how many people in Tennessee have been affected by this rare disease. I know a lot about it because I, too, was diagnosed in 2011,” Powers said. “CMT is a disease that attacks your peripheral nervous system, and there is no cure for it.”

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease impacts approximately one in 2,500 people nationwide. Accurate data on CMT cases could boost Tennessee’s ability to secure federal research grants and attract specialized care centers. Grammy-winning artist Linda Davis also spoke to members of the General Assembly about how CMT has impacted her family. 

“When someone you love has a disorder like CMT, you do everything you can to learn, to help and to hope,” Davis said. “For my family, CMT is the common enemy we have faced for decades.”

The resolution calls on the Tennessee Department of Health to use existing electronic health record systems and resources to voluntarily report CMT cases, requiring no additional state funding. 

Briefly…

THC distribution: The House of Representatives on Monday passed legislation to protect children from hemp-derived cannabinoid products in Tennessee. House Bill 72, sponsored by State Rep. Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, will create a minimum sentence of 48 consecutive hours in a county jail or workhouse and a fine of not less than $500 for people convicted of selling or distributing hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including THC gummies, to people under 21. More than 250 kids were treated for cannabis poisoning at the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital between July 2023 and June 2024. The companion version of House Bill 72 is still advancing through the Senate. 

Elected officials: The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill that will bar people from holding several elected offices in the state simultaneously. House Bill 618, sponsored by State Rep. Dave Wright, R-Corryton, will prohibit Tennesseans from holding a local elected office and another elected office in the state at the same time. The prohibition will not apply to a state executive committee of a political party in Tennessee, and people who already hold several offices will be permitted to serve their entire term. The companion version of House Bill 618 is still making its way through the Senate. 

Road safety: Tennessee lawmakers this week passed legislation granting law enforcement officers the power to seize license plate flipping devices and impound vehicles when necessary. House Bill 300, sponsored by State Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, allows officers to confiscate the devices after giving vehicle owners a chance to first remove them. If the flipper is removed, only the device is seized, and the vehicle is not impounded. The companion version of House Bill 300 is still advancing through the Senate. 

Eliminating faxes forever: A bill defining the meaning of electronic transmission as it applies to Tennessee state law unanimously passed the House on Feb. 24. House Bill 321 by House Majority House William Lamberth, R-Portland, removes the terms “fax” or “facsimile” in state law and replaces the terms with “electronic transmission.” The bill requires each state department, agency, office, commission, institution, or instrumentality of the executive branch to accept electronic transmissions. The companion version of House Bill 321 is still advancing through the Senate.  

Protecting children: Tennessee Republicans praised a major legal victory for families on Monday when the United States Supreme Court upheld House Bill 9, a 2023 law designed to protect children from exposure to sexually explicit entertainment. The high court declined to hear Friends of George’s v. Mulroy, allowing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruling to stand, affirming the law’s constitutionality. State Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, sponsored House Bill 9, which prohibits sexually explicit performances from taking place in public spaces or anywhere minors may be present. It requires private establishments like bars or restaurants hosting sexually explicit shows to verify the age of all patrons by requiring valid identification upon entry. 

Nuclear energy: A Republican proposal that seeks to recognize nuclear energy as a clean and renewable energy source in the Volunteer State advanced out of the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee this week. House Bill 1133, sponsored by State Rep. Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon, will add nuclear energy production facilities to the definition of certified green energy production facilities in Tennessee’s tax code, helping cement the Volunteer State’s status as a leader in nuclear energy in the United States. House Bill 1133 is scheduled to be considered in the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee on March 4.

Bradford pear trees: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee this week advanced legislation to study the effects of Bradford pear trees on agriculture and forestry in Tennessee. House Joint Resolution 150, sponsored by State Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, urges the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture to complete an economic study on the invasive trees in consultation with several state departments. The legislation requires a report to be submitted to the General Assembly by April 30, 2026. Bradford pear trees push out native trees, have a bad odor and significantly weaken as they age. Several states prohibit the sale of the trees. House Joint Resolution 150 will now go to the House Calendar and Rules Committee before heading to the House floor for a vote.  

Drug awareness education: A bill that would help Tennessee students learn about the dangers of drugs and violence prevention unanimously passed in the House this week. House Bill 382, sponsored by State Rep. Ed Butler, R-Rickman, allows local school districts to use the Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (LEAD) program in lieu of or in addition to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. The companion bill is expected to be heard in the Senate Education Committee on March 5. 

Resources for opioid overdoses: A resolution that could help protect Tennesseans from drug overdose passed the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday. House Joint Resolution 100, sponsored by House Majority Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, urges the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council to allocate 25% of expenditures from the opioid abatement fund.  The money will be used for initiatives promoting and distributing overdose reversal medications until the state’s overdose death rate dips below 25 percent. House Joint Resolution 100 is scheduled to be considered in the House Judiciary Committee on March 5. 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Republican lawmakers are pushing for the U.S. House of Representatives to enact legislation that would provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). House Joint Resolution 1, sponsored by State Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, was proposed to support the Veterans National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act, which creates a pilot program to offer HBOT to veterans at no cost. The therapy accelerates the brain’s healing process by providing the bloodstream with elevated oxygen to reach and repair damaged tissue and restore normal function. House Joint Resolution 1 advanced out of the House Health Subcommittee on Feb. 26 and is scheduled to be heard in the House Health Committee on March 4. 

Public health communications: Legislation to restore public trust by ensuring accurate, science-based health messaging advanced out of the House Health Subcommittee this week. The Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act, sponsored by State Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mount Juliet, requires local and state health departments to ensure all messaging about FDA-regulated products is consistent with the FDA-approved or authorized labels. It also requires the implementation of an internal review process, mandates the removal of non-compliant materials and establishes penalties for those who do not comply. House Bill 1157 is scheduled to be heard in the House Health Committee on March 4. 

Month of prayer and fasting: A resolution calling for an annual period of statewide prayer and fasting advanced out of the House Naming and Designating Committee this week. House Joint Resolution 51, sponsored by State Rep. Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, encourages those spiritually inclined to join in a time of prayer and intermittent fasting from July 1 to July 31 each year. The resolution seeks God’s hand of mercy and healing due to the increase in violence, drug addiction and family breakdowns in Tennessee homes. House Joint Resolution 51 will be heard in the House State and Local Government Committee on March 5.  

Inhalers in schools: A proposal will allow schools and other public entities to maintain bronchodilator rescue inhalers to respond quickly to asthma-related emergencies. House Bill 760, sponsored by State Rep. Tandy Darby, R-Greenfield, would permit health care practitioners to prescribe bronchodilator rescue inhalers to authorized entities, including child care agencies, youth sports leagues and theme parks. The entities would designate an employee to maintain and administer the inhalers when a physician is not immediately available. House Bill 760 will be heard in the House Education Committee on March 4. 

World Health Organization: Legislation advanced in the House Health Subcommittee this week that would delete all references to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Tennessee code. House Bill 1226, sponsored by State Rep. Justin Lafferty, R-Knoxville replaces WHO references with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding pandemic declarations. According to the bill, Tennessee would only recognize a pandemic if declared by the CDC and followed with a state of emergency by the governor. This move comes after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the WHO upon taking office. The companion version of the bill passed in the Senate chamber on Feb. 24. House Bill 1126 is expected to be heard for consideration in the House Health Committee on March 5.

Laser beam interference: A proposal to protect Tennesseans from laser beam interference while driving, flying or boating unanimously passed the House on Feb. 24. House Bill 191, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, creates a Class B misdemeanor for intentionally activating and pointing a laser or other device utilizing a laser beam at a person operating an automobile, boat, aircraft, or any other motor vehicle. The Federal Aviation Administration reported 564 incidents of laser beam strikes aimed at aircraft flying in Tennessee air space in 2023. Laser strikes on aircraft and motorists are a serious threat to public safety. While pointing a laser at an aircraft is already a federal crime, House Bill 191 strengthens state law penalties. The companion version of House Bill 191 is expected to be heard in the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on March 5. 

State of the Union: President Donald Trump is scheduled to outline his America first agenda to a joint session of the United States Congress and the nation on Tuesday, March 4, at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time. 

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