(NASHVILLE) — During the 2017 legislative session, House Republican Caucus Chairman Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) and members of the House Health and House Finance, Ways, & Means Committees worked to improve the quality of life for citizens across Tennessee and to maintain the state’s economic momentum.
As a member of the House Health Committee, Chairman Williams and his colleagues continued to address the state’s opioid crisis through initiatives like House Bill 137 and House Bill 1207. House Bill 137 combats prescription drug abuse by allowing the Tennessee Department of Health to establish and maintain a voluntary prescription drug donation repository program. House Bill 1207 addresses the state’s epidemic by identifying high-risk prescribers.
Williams — who was recently named co-chair of the new Tennessee Legislative Wellness Caucus — also supported passage of House Bill 1189, known as the Tennessee Infants Protection Act. This initiative prohibits abortions after 24 weeks — except in medical emergency — and requires testing to determine the viability of a child if a woman is at least 20 weeks pregnant. Additionally, Williams and his fellow committee members made it easier for credentialed medical professionals moving to Tennessee to find work, thanks to the passage of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
“If we are going to improve on our state’s current health trends, we must prioritize the well-being of our residents,’’ said Chairman Williams. “We have made tremendous strides refining health care through these critical measures in 2017, and I know we will advance our work in the coming year in order to improve the quality of life for Tennesseans in communities across our state.”
A member of the Finance, Ways, & Means Committee, Williams supported community and economic development with the implementation of the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act. This initiative expands broadband internet services across the state, especially to Tennessee’s rural areas. Additionally, Chairman Williams worked to increase access to education opportunities for Tennessee’s adults, as well as our brave National Guard members, thanks to the passage of Tennessee Reconnect and the Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act.
“All of these critical initiatives that advanced through our committee and have since been signed into law will solidify Tennessee’s economic future,” added Williams. “Our work in 2017 maintains the momentum we have experienced as a state in recent years and will benefit future generations of our citizens.”
The 2018 legislative session officially begins on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.
Ryan Williams serves as Chairman of the House Republican Caucus. He also serves as a member of the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee and Subcommittee, as well as the House Government Operations, House Health, and the House Calendar & Rules Committees. Williams lives in Cookeville and represents House District 42, which includes a portion of Putnam County. He can be reached by email at Rep.Ryan.Williams@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-1875.
