(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Assistant Majority Leader Ron Gant (R-Rossville) today announced that State Representative Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) has been chosen as a co-prime sponsor to shepherd House Bill 942 through the legislative process on behalf of Republican leadership.
The measure is part of Governor Lee’s legislative package for the year, which is traditionally sponsored by the House Majority Leader and Assistant Majority Leader. Because of Chairman Farmer’s leadership abilities and his passion for addressing our state’s ongoing drug crisis, he is the ideal person to handle all details related to this initiative.
“Chairman Farmer has fought to increase penalties against drug offenders and hold them accountable for their actions throughout his time in our General Assembly,” said Leader Lamberth. “I know he will do a great job guiding this initiative through the committee process, and I look forward to working with him to pass this important measure.”
“I appreciate Chairman Farmer’s willingness to guide this legislation through the House,” said Assistant Leader Gant. “Our General Assembly has done an incredible job strengthening our drug laws in recent years. This initiative builds upon our efforts and will take dangerous substances off our streets.”
House Bill 942 builds upon Tennessee’s efforts to address the opioid crisis by cracking down on synthetic drug trafficking in our state. The legislation increases penalties against fentanyl dealers and those who traffic any derivative or analogue of this deadly synthetic drug.
“I am grateful to Governor Lee, and our House leadership team for asking me to carry this legislation,” said Chairman Farmer. “Our drug and opioid crisis continues to evolve, and we must be tough on those who are responsible for causing this epidemic. House Bill 942 is an important step in accomplishing this goal, and it will improve the health and safety of our citizens. ”
House Bill 942 advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week. It is now expected to be heard by members of the House Judiciary Committee.
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Andrew Farmer is Chairman of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Farmer is also a member of the House Judiciary and State Committees, as well as the House Corrections Subcommittee. He lives in Sevierville and represents Tennessee House District 17, which includes part of Jefferson and Sevier Counties. Farmer can be reached by email at: [email protected] or by calling (615) 741-4419.