113th General Assembly adjourns sine die The 113th General Assembly concluded its business for the 2024 legislative session today and adjourned sine die. The 2024 session successfully carried into law a slate of conservative policies that prioritized public safety, economic development, rural health care, education, and conservation.  “This session was the most tough on crime…

General Assembly passes $52.8 billion budget Budget highlights supermajority’s efforts to keep taxes low and remain fiscally conservative Members of the 113th General Assembly on Thursday fulfilled their constitutional duty with the passage of a $52.8 billion balanced budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. This year’s budget highlights lawmakers’ continuous efforts to keep taxes low…

Grant program for school emergency alert response systems advances Legislation that would establish a grant program for safety alert systems in Tennessee public schools advanced out of the Government Operations Committee this week. House Bill 2528, sponsored by State Rep. Ron Gant, R-Piperton, would provide $60,000 annually to assist local school districts and public charter…

Budget becomes central focus in final weeks of 113th General Assembly Members of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee this week were briefed by Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson on Gov. Bill Lee’s amended budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year. “We’ve been really managing our expenses to stay significantly under our revenues,”…

General Assembly celebrates agriculture in Tennessee Tennessee’s annual Ag Day on the Hill was held at the State Capitol in Nashville on March 19 and featured a variety of events, exhibits, activities and livestock along with producers and exhibitors from across the state. The event coincided with National Agriculture Week. In Tennessee, agriculture-related industries employ…

General Assembly confirms new Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Members of the General Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mary L. Wagner to the Tennessee Supreme Court in a joint session in the House chamber on Monday. Wagner is currently the circuit court judge for the 30th Judicial District, which covers Shelby County. She previously served as…

The General Assembly this week approved legislation that updates the Veterinarian Medical Practice Act to allow veterinarians in the state to report suspected animal abuse.  House Bill 2079, sponsored by State Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro, will authorize veterinarians, while acting in a professional capacity and in a current veterinarian-client-patient relationship, to file a report to…

General Assembly passes ELVIS Act Tennessee first in the nation to protect ‘voice’ from AI misuse The General Assembly this week unanimously passed first-of-its-kind legislation protecting artists’ identity and work from misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, now heads…

House advances school choice, bolsters public education Plan gives families the power to use their tax dollars to choose the best school that meets the needs of their child House Republicans this week unveiled a sweeping proposal to improve education in Tennessee by expanding school choice opportunities for families and strengthening existing public schools statewide.…