Rep. Kevin Vaughan’s Newsroom

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Assistant Majority Leader Ron Gant (R-Rossville) today announced they have selected State Rep. Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) to serve as co-prime sponsor of House Bill 2227.

The measure is part of Governor Lee’s legislative package for the year, which is traditionally sponsored by the House Majority Leader and the Assistant Majority Leader. Because of Rep. Vaughan’s leadership abilities, his passion and practical work experience in both environmental remediation and site development, he is the ideal person to handle all details related to this initiative.

“Kevin Vaughan has fought to support rural community and economic development across West Tennessee throughout his tenure in our General Assembly,” said Leader Lamberth. “I appreciate his willingness to carry this legislation on behalf of House leadership and Governor Lee, and I look forward to working with him to see this bill passed.”

“I appreciate Rep. Vaughan for his commitment to economic development and for supporting new job creation, especially in our rural West Tennessee communities,” said Assistant Leader Gant. “Kevin Vaughan knows firsthand the challenges of attracting new users to existing industrial sites, and I know he will do a great job getting this bill to the Governor’s desk so it can be signed into law.”

House Bill 2227 creates a rural Brownfield Tax Credit Enhancement Program to support reinvestment in properties where former industries once stood. The measure will allow companies looking to reinvest in these properties and the rural communities they serve to receive a tax credit in order to encourage them to relocate and create new jobs.

“I am grateful to Governor Lee and our House leadership team for asking me to serve as co-prime sponsor of this legislation,” said Chairman Rep. Vaughan. “This bill means more jobs for the citizens of West Tennessee and for our rural communities. I look forward to ensuring its passage in the House and for Governor Lee to sign it into law.”

House Bill 2227 will soon be discussed and debated on the House floor.

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada (R-Thompson’s Station) has named State Representative Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) Chairman of the newly created House Facilities, Licensure, & Regulations Subcommittee.

The 7-member subcommittee will be responsible for all matters and legislation related to the licensure and regulation of healthcare professionals, as well as hospitals and surgical facilities.

“Representative Vaughan has done an incredible job building strong partnerships with our local leaders throughout Tennessee, which has played a critical role in helping our General Assembly identify and create innovative solutions to better address the unique needs of our citizens,” said Speaker Casada. “I know he will be a successful leader of the House Facilities, Licensure, & Regulations Subcommittee, and I appreciate his dedication to our state and his service.”

“It is a great honor to be named Chairman of the House Facilities, Licensure, & Regulations Subcommittee by Speaker Casada, and I am excited to lead,” said Representative Vaughan. “We need groundbreaking solutions and patient-centered reforms to better address the healthcare needs of our citizens. Together, we will improve access and the quality of care patients receive, while lowering costs and ensuring safety. This will lead to successful health trends in communities across Tennessee.”

Representative Vaughan was officially sworn in to office on Jan. 8, 2019. He will also serve as a member of the House Education, and Health Committees, as well as the House Higher Education Subcommittee. Vaughan lives in Collierville and represents Tennessee House District 95, which includes a portion of Shelby County.

Republican leader committed to serving House District 95 in Tennessee General Assembly

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — State Representative Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) today announced he will not seek election to fill the vacant District 32 State Senate seat.

The vacancy was created when former State Senator Mark Norris resigned to fill a West Tennessee U.S. District Court opening earlier this month. Norris was first appointed by President Donald Trump to fill the federal judgeship back in July of 2017 and submitted his resignation to Governor Bill Haslam on November 1, 2018. 

Some media outlets have mentioned Vaughan’s name as a possible replacement for Norris; other political consultants have even viewed him as the frontrunner in the 2019 special election.

While Vaughan is grateful for the support he and his family have received as he considered running for the vacancy, future family commitments, as well as a powerful desire to continue serving the citizens of District 95 have strongly influenced Vaughan’s decision to remain in the House.

“I am incredibly honored that the men, women, and families of District 32 have encouraged me to explore the possibility of running for the vacant District 32 Senate seat,” said Representative Vaughan. “After careful thought and many discussions with my family, I know I can be most effective continuing on in my current role as a State Representative. The citizens of District 95 overwhelmingly supported my re-election efforts for this office earlier this year, and I am eager to get back to work and continue fighting for them. I know our newly elected leadership, as well as my Republican colleagues and I, will continue to find new solutions to better address the unique needs of our communities, Shelby County, and all of West Tennessee.”

“Kevin Vaughan has been a dedicated servant to his constituents and to our state since he was first elected to our General Assembly in 2017,” said Tennessee House Speaker-Elect Glen Casada (R-Thompson’s Station). “He has quickly become a legislative leader in our House Chamber and is highly regarded by his peers. I am pleased Kevin has chosen to remain in his current position, and I know the House will greatly benefit from his expertise and leadership on important issues impacting the entire West Tennessee region this year and in the years ahead.”

The 111^th Tennessee General Assembly officially convenes at noon on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

(NASHVILLE) — Recently, the Tennessee General Assembly unanimously approved an initiative sponsored by State Representative Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) that promotes business expansion in Memphis and Shelby County.

House Bill 2064 encourages residential and business developers to expand operations outside of the central business district through deregulation and tax incentives.

Current law restricts economic developers — including the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) for Memphis and Shelby County — from offering tax incentives to any business looking to expand outside the central business district.

House Bill 2064 eases these restrictions and enables EDGE to encourage business expansion outside the district through payments-in-lieu-of-taxes or PILOTs. These types of incentives have been critical in the development of the center city area and could benefit other portions of the city and county.

“This measure paves the way for new industry and high-quality job growth across other parts of our community,” said Representative Vaughan. “I am grateful to my colleagues for supporting it, and I know it will benefit the City of Memphis and all of Shelby County.”

Additional information about House Bill 2064 can be found by clicking here.

Under the leadership of Representative Vaughan and House Republicans, Tennessee is truly thriving. In recent years, more than 400,000 net new private sector jobs have been created. Over the past 12 months, Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased a full percentage point from 4.4 percent to 3.4 percent and remains less than the national average of 4.1 percent.

For more information about how House Republicans are advancing Tennessee’s conservative values, please click here.

Kevin Vaughan serves as a member of the House Insurance & Banking and the House Business & Utilities Committees. He lives in Collierville and represents House District 95, which includes part of Shelby County. He can be reached by calling (615) 741-1866 or by email at: Rep.Kevin.Vaughan@capitol.tn.gov

(NASHVILLE) — Recently, State Representative Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) sponsored passage of legislation that adds additional protections for parents and children involved in violent custody cases.

House Bill 1546 empowers a parent or legal guardian who has been the victim of an attempted murder to petition a judge to terminate parental rights of the individual convicted of the offense.

The measure enhances current protections for children involved in these types of cases. Additionally, it strengthens laws for parents or legal guardians who have survived attempts at their lives while increasing punishment guidelines for presiding judges.

“Too often, we have seen a parent or legal guardian cross a very dangerous line, resulting in the serious injury of their partner or spouse,” said Representative Vaughan. “It is my hope that this measure acts as an additional deterrent in these specific instances while also protecting the safety of our children and surviving parents.”

For more information about House Bill 1546, please click here.

Kevin Vaughan serves as a member of the House Insurance & Banking and the House Business & Utilities Committees. He lives in Collierville and represents House District 95, which includes part of Shelby County. He can be reached by calling (615) 741-1866 or by email at: Rep.Kevin.Vaughan@capitol.tn.gov.

(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville), State Representative Mark White (R-Memphis), and the Tennessee Department of Education today announced that both Collierville Schools and Germantown Municipal School District have received district growth funding to support education initiatives in West Tennessee.

Specifically, Germantown Municipal School District received $269,500. Collierville Schools were awarded $524,500.

This funding is a direct result of a Republican-led effort by Tennessee General Assembly members to not only fully fund education in Tennessee but also provide $18 million to cover school district growth as part of Governor Bill Haslam’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget.

These significant investments will allow many of our state’s school districts with soaring populations to maintain proper student to teacher ratios so that they can continue offering quality education for our next generation of leaders.

“This investment in our local schools is great news for our community,” said Representative Vaughan. “I pledge to our residents that I will continue to fight for additional resources in order to ensure that our teachers and students have the tools they need to succeed.”

“I am pleased that my colleagues and I have been able to secure this critical funding that will support the work of our teachers and allow our children to achieve their educational goals and dreams,” said Chairman White. “When we support our teachers, our students can focus all of their attention on learning, and all of Tennessee benefits.”

The inclusion of growth funding as part of the budget has been so well received by parents, education officials, and teachers that the governor has added an additional $18 million in growth funding as part of his Fiscal Year 2019 budget.

Kevin Vaughan serves as a member of the House Insurance & Banking and the House Business & Utilities Committees. He lives in Collierville and represents House District 95, which includes part of Shelby County. He can be reached by calling (615) 741-1866 or by email at: Rep.Kevin.Vaughan@capitol.tn.gov

Mark White serves as Chairman of the House Education Administration & Planning Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Education Administration & Planning, House Consumer & Human Resources, House Rules, and Joint Fiscal Review Committees. White lives in Memphis and represents House District 83, which includes part of Shelby County. He can be reached by email at Rep.Mark.White@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-4415.

House Bill 1500 streamlines accounting and financial reporting standards

(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) has officially passed his first bill as a member of the Tennessee General Assembly and the House Republican Caucus.

House Bill 1500 streamlines local government operations by updating the Local Government Modernization Act of 2005. This ensures that local governments are in compliance as it relates to the accounting and financial reporting standards established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. The measure will now head to Governor Bill Haslam’s desk where it will be signed into law.

“My first year as a member of the House Republican Caucus has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Representative Vaughan. “I am proud to serve the people of our community, and I am grateful to partner with my Republican colleagues in order to advance Tennessee’s conservative values. Together, I know our efforts will ensure that our community, region, and state continue to thrive.”

Vaughan is sponsoring 10 bills and co-sponsoring 5 additional initiatives during the 2018 legislative session.

The full text of House Bill 1500 can be found by click here.

Kevin Vaughan serves as a member of the House Insurance & Banking and the House Business & Utilities Committees. He lives in Collierville and represents House District 95, which includes part of Shelby County. He can be reached by calling (615) 741-1866 or by email at Rep.Kevin.Vaughan@capitol.tn.gov.