[0:09] Mr Speaker you have a quot wait just a [0:13] second Senator [0:28] Reeves [0:58] e e [1:56] told [2:09] Mr Sergeant at Arms close the doors and [2:12] invite the members [2:14] in the minister of the day is Dr Fred [2:18] Shackleford he is a guest of Senator [2:21] Rose will the members and guests please [2:23] stand for the invocation and thereafter [2:26] for the Pledge of Allegiance led by [2:28] Senator Rose [2:30] Senator Rose you're recognized to [2:33] introduce our minister of the day and to [2:35] lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and [2:37] the salute to the Tennessee [2:40] flag Senator [2:42] Rose thank you Mr Speaker this may be [2:44] the most unconventional introduction [2:47] this chamber has ever heard Dr shafford [2:51] I do not have your bow in front of me [2:54] so so here we [2:58] go this gentleman is a dear friend of [3:01] mine he serves a uh are you at uh [3:06] Ellendale I got at endale Baptist Church [3:09] in [3:11] Bartlett uh he has served as president [3:13] of the Tennessee Baptist convention I [3:15] have no idea how many children he has or [3:18] wife but let me just tell you he is a [3:19] man of God he leads with [3:21] Integrity uh and Dr sha I apologize to [3:24] you that I don't have your bow so Mr [3:28] Speaker that's the best do today the [3:30] shorter the bio the more important the [3:33] per the [3:35] person Dr Shackleford you're recognized [3:38] for the invocation wife Jennifer three [3:42] boys's thank you Father God we just [3:46] thank you for getting us up today for [3:48] the breath that is in our lungs and the [3:51] life that you sustain us [3:53] with Lord we just pray your blessings on [3:56] everyone gathered in this chamber and [4:00] Lord certainly your wisdom for this [4:02] assembly that's gathered on the [4:04] floor and Lord we we pray for those [4:07] across our state who are hurting those [4:08] who been in the path of natural [4:11] disasters have need Lord we pray that [4:15] your people would step in to address [4:17] those needs according to your will and [4:19] according to your [4:20] plan and father we just pray for those [4:23] uh across our state who put themselves [4:26] in arms way for our benefit I think [4:29] about responders and police officers and [4:32] many others and Lord we just pray all [4:36] this for the glory of name state of [4:41] Tennessee amen thank you Dr shackford [4:45] Senator Rose i al to the flag of the [4:50] United States of America and to the for [4:54] it stands one [4:57] nation indivisible with liy and justice [5:01] for [5:03] all white stars on the field of blue God [5:07] keep them true it is pride love we flag [5:13] of [5:14] Tennessee rooll call Mr [5:22] clerk Mr clerk take the [5:26] rooll two members are present pursuant [5:29] to AR arle 2 Section 11 of the [5:31] Constitution of the state of Tennessee [5:34] the Senate has a [5:35] quorum and is now in [5:43] session if if I could have your [5:45] attention just for a moment and ask I'll [5:49] ask you to stand in silent prayer uh Jim [5:52] Tracy one of our former [5:55] Senators had recent surgery and we're [5:59] praying for quick recovery and I'll ask [6:01] Senator Reeves to lead us in [6:11] prayer Senator [6:14] Rees father God uh we ask a special [6:17] prayer on um our friend a former [6:20] colleague in this chamber Senator Jim [6:23] Tracy father he was my predecessor in [6:25] this role and just love by so many [6:27] people father I pray for his Contin [6:29] recovery from his recent surgery father [6:32] be with his wife Trina and their boys [6:35] and Lord I just pray you might surround [6:37] him with love and support uh during this [6:39] time of recovery and that his recovery [6:41] might be quick and complete and again [6:43] father we lift up Jim Tracy in the Name [6:44] of Christ [6:46] amen thank you Senator [6:48] Reeves Senator [6:52] Hatcher thank you Mr Speaker when I was [6:56] uh elected state senator I was told that [6:59] the Senate was a family and that was [7:01] proven this past week I want to thank [7:04] everyone that has called and and text [7:07] and and lifted up a prayer for me this [7:09] past week I I thank you all very much [7:11] for [7:12] everything thank you Senator [7:20] hatch and let's see you had a house [7:23] joint [7:25] resolution it's number 359 Senator hatch [7:29] moves to suspend the rules it's proper [7:32] motion is there objection it's properly [7:35] seconded I see no objection the rules [7:38] are suspended this was for an officer [7:42] that was [7:43] shot uh in Blunt [7:46] County in Monroe County in Monroe County [7:49] I'm sorry and uh without objection all [7:52] members voting in the affirmative will [7:54] be added Senator Hatcher moves [7:57] resolutions properly seconded [8:01] is there objection to the vote I see [8:03] none all in favor we'll be on the board [8:06] we'll vote I when the bell rings those [8:09] opposed to vote no let every member cast [8:11] their vote when the bell rings has every [8:13] member voted Senator robberts votes I Mr [8:17] clerk take the vote I 32 no [8:20] n house joint resolution having received [8:23] the house joint resolution 359 having [8:27] received a constitutional majority I [8:29] declare it passed without objection [8:31] motion reconsider is hereby table [8:35] Senator [8:37] Campbell uh thank you Mr Speaker is it [8:39] okay to have a statement or announcement [8:42] or do we need to wait yeah it it'll be [8:45] coming up just a little later oh [8:47] wait I'll call on you then thank [8:53] you next order Mr clerk introduction of [8:57] bills leader Johnson you're [9:00] recognized thank you Mr Speaker members [9:02] good afternoon proper notice having been [9:04] given I move that pursuant to Senate [9:05] rule 32 in Article 2 Section 18 of the [9:07] Constitution of the state of Tennessee [9:09] Senate Bill 1458 be passed on first [9:12] consideration Senate Bill [9:17] 1458 without objection Senate Bill 1458 [9:21] passes first consideration without [9:23] objection motion reconsider it goes to [9:26] the table next order Mr Clerk [9:30] house bills on first consideration [9:32] leader Johnson you're recognized thank [9:34] you Mr Speaker proper notice having been [9:36] given I move the pursuant to Senate rule [9:37] 32 and Article 2 Section 18 of the [9:39] Constitution of the state of Tennessee [9:41] house bills 501 1133 1143 1320 and all [9:45] bills received today pass first [9:46] consideration be referred to the [9:47] appropriate standing committee [9:48] designated or held on the clerk's desk [9:50] without objection the house bills are [9:52] introduced past first consideration and [9:54] are held on the clerk's desk without [9:57] objection motion reconsider [9:59] by [10:00] table next order Mr clerk Senate bills [10:03] on second consideration leader Johnson [10:05] you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker [10:08] proper notice having been given I move [10:09] the pursuant to Senate rule 33 and [10:11] Article 2 Section 18 of the Constitution [10:12] of the state of Tennessee Senate bills [10:14] 1448 through 1457 pass second [10:17] consideration be referred to the [10:19] appropriate standing committee [10:19] designated or held on the clerk's desk [10:21] without objection the Senate bills pass [10:23] second consideration are referred to the [10:26] appropriate standing committee's [10:28] designated or held on the clerk's desk [10:31] without objection motion reconsider is [10:33] hereby table next order Mr clerk [10:36] introduction of [10:37] resolutions leader Johnson you're [10:39] recognized thank you Mr Speaker proper [10:41] notice having been given I move the [10:42] pursuant to Senate Rule 21 Senate joint [10:44] resolutions 229 through 235 and Senate [10:48] resolutions 54-56 be introduced passed [10:51] on first consideration held on the [10:52] clerk's desk without objection the [10:54] resolutions are introduced passed on [10:56] first consideration and are held on the [10:59] Clerk's desk without objection motion [11:01] reconsider is hereby table next order Mr [11:10] clerk leader Johnson you're recognized [11:13] thank you Mr Speaker proper notice [11:15] having been given a move of pursuant to [11:16] Senate Rule 21 Senate joint resolutions [11:18] 217 through 228 Senate resolutions 46- [11:22] 53 house joint resolution 17 319 through [11:26] 329 and 359 lie over be referred to the [11:29] appro standing committee designated or [11:30] held on the clerk's desk having laid [11:33] over the resolutions are referred to the [11:35] appropriate standing committee's [11:36] designated or held on the clerk's desk [11:40] without objection the motion reconsider [11:42] is hereby table next order Mr clerk [11:45] unfinished business and notices Senator [11:50] Campbell notices uh thank you Mr Speaker [11:53] I just wanted to tell everybody that the [11:55] coolest girls in the room are right [11:56] above my head it's Girl Scout Troop [11:59] number 164 from Percy Priest and they [12:02] have uh gotten many badges this year and [12:04] last year uh last week got their [12:06] peaceful protest badges if you all would [12:08] stand up and be recognized that'd be [12:10] great we'd like to welcome you to the [12:12] [Applause] [12:19] Senate glad to have you with [12:24] US senator [12:27] Crow thank you Mr Speaker we're really [12:29] proud today to have with us Master Ward [12:33] Richie Jenny's son who's a page with us [12:36] today and he's sitting back there [12:37] dressed up and looking Dapper Ward we're [12:39] really proud stand up we're proud to [12:41] have you with us today welcome oh [12:48] wow Senator pod and then I have Senator [12:51] Lamar and then Senator Massie and then [12:53] Senator Jackson and senator seal Senator [12:57] pody thank you Mr speaker members I have [13:00] a guest with me [13:01] today yes and members let me tell you a [13:03] little bit of History here uh this [13:06] family can traced back to uh the late [13:10] 1800s when their family was actually [13:13] there was a sergeant that was a [13:15] policeman here in this area she's been [13:17] here five generations she she can trace [13:19] her family back she is actually in the [13:22] thoroughbred horse business she's right [13:23] here in Dava County please make welcome [13:26] chrisen [13:27] meny glad to have you with us thank [13:31] you Senator [13:37] Lamar thank you Mrs speaker first I just [13:40] want to say I'm modeling the cutest [13:41] jacket that Senator Bailey has gotten us [13:44] thank you so much and it's very warm in [13:47] this moment I love it um but I wanted to [13:50] take this moment on behalf of the the [13:52] Senate Democrat Caucus to say a happy [13:54] birthday to our communications director [13:57] Mr Brandon put Brees happy birthday [13:59] Brandon we appreciate all that you do [14:01] for [14:01] [Applause] [14:05] US senator Bailey sen Bailey thank you [14:10] very much for the jackets they're [14:12] they're very [14:16] timely thank you Senator [14:20] Massie thank you Mr Speaker and I have [14:23] two pages for the day actually we have [14:25] four but um Senator brick chairman brick [14:29] and Senator s are helping me host um and [14:32] actually they're all four members of the [14:34] junior Roc program at U Union County [14:39] High School so they're Senator seals um [14:42] pay um constituents but they actually [14:45] helped me in my reelection campaign [14:47] going door knocking so first I'm going [14:50] to introduce two of them and then the [14:51] other two will introduce theirs but I [14:54] have Kaylee beer here and she is uh a [14:58] junior at Union County High School she [15:02] uh has one sibling she likes math [15:04] history and she likes to fish hunt do [15:07] play basketball run and work out and [15:09] then also participate in the Junior ROTC [15:12] program a number of us we helped sponsor [15:15] the stair climb uh the that curates 911 [15:20] and we helped sponsor um we made sure [15:23] Union County was sponsored but all the [15:25] area schools in the Knoxville area are [15:27] sponsored and I know the lieutenant [15:29] Governor helps helps with that and [15:30] several others have but um so this is [15:33] Kayla if you'll make me help her feel [15:39] welcome glad to have you with us Kaye I [15:42] know so then I have on my left uh I have [15:46] Zach Wagner he is a twin you may notice [15:49] when you when you do and he is a [15:52] sophomore uh at Union County High School [15:55] he is uh he has one brother who's with [15:58] us and a sister um and um his favorite [16:03] subjects are the njrc and math and he [16:07] likes Sports piano skating and door [16:09] knocking for Senator Massie no no that [16:12] was that wasn't on there um and uh and [16:16] then before they introduce us to I have [16:18] their escorts down here for the day I [16:21] have Kathy R and Leslie Leslie Grossman [16:24] over here and Kathy is my campaign [16:27] manager and helps me a lot and Leslie [16:29] and I've been we've been friends for [16:31] many many moons so if you'll help me [16:34] make the two of them and Zach feel [16:36] welcome that be Zach glad to have you [16:38] with [16:41] us and let me go to Senator Briggs and [16:45] then I'll come back to you [16:47] and Senator chairman Briggs you [16:51] recognize yeah thank you very much Mr [16:53] Speaker I have Miguel Wagner who's the [16:55] other half of the twin team and uh he's [16:59] also from Union County and uh was lent [17:02] to us today by senator seal because uh [17:04] they live in Senator Seal's District uh [17:07] he's at Union County High School in the [17:09] 10th grade uh his brother Zach who we [17:11] just met and also has a sister Erica he [17:14] also uh likes and does very well in math [17:18] and his favorite things and activities [17:19] are track soccer and [17:22] guitar Miguel good to have you with us [17:25] let's give him a hand [17:30] senator seal thank you Mr Speaker before [17:32] I introduce my page I'd like to draw the [17:35] members attention to the gallery I have [17:37] a couple of district attorney generals [17:39] here Jared effer and Jimmy Dunn I [17:41] believe they're above me here if they [17:43] just stand and let us make feel [17:45] welcome glad to have you with [17:48] us and I and Mr Speaker I also have some [17:51] constituents from Jefferson County [17:53] Carson Newman College if they just stand [17:55] over here and let's make them feel [17:57] welcome as well [18:01] it's a great school glad to have you [18:03] with us Mr Speaker my page of the day is [18:06] Mr Blake Copic he is a resident of Union [18:09] County and attends Union County High [18:11] School where he's a senior he is the son [18:13] of Chris and Hanley Copic he has three [18:16] siblings Taylor Trevor and Carter his [18:19] favorite favorite subject is English and [18:22] he loves being on the lake in the [18:24] summertime and he believes he has the [18:26] best senator in this chamber [18:30] would you agree with [18:31] that say [18:35] yes I believe I believe you took the [18:39] fifth thank you senator [18:42] seal Senator [18:45] Jackson thank you Mr Speaker and I [18:46] appreciate it uh I too wanted to uh [18:49] remember that uh recognize our district [18:51] attorney generals there's several of [18:53] them here today some from my district [18:55] and I think other districts if y'all [18:56] would stand and we would like to welcome [18:57] you here today da if you please would [19:00] stand thank [19:09] you glad to have you all with us thank [19:11] you Senator Jackson Senator Crow did you [19:16] have Senator [19:18] Bing thank thank you Mr Speaker in the [19:21] gallery and I can't see them but decab [19:23] County leadership is here Suzanne [19:25] Williams with the chamber is with him if [19:28] y'all would please stand and we would [19:30] make them welcome thank you glad to have [19:33] youall with [19:37] US senator [19:39] harbarger thank you Mr Speaker uh as one [19:42] of the youngest members in this chamber [19:45] I thought it only appropriate that I [19:47] bring everyone's attention to the [19:49] gallery to recognize AARP Tennessee for [19:52] their commitment to enhancing the [19:54] quality of life for tennesseans age 50 [19:57] and older so when in out get with these [20:00] ladies I want to invite my colleagues to [20:02] join me in welcoming uh state director [20:04] Mia mcneel and Mya McRee and AARP [20:08] volunteers from across Tennessee thank [20:10] you [20:12] AARP thank [20:17] you thank you Senator AR [20:22] barer next order Mr clerk Mr Speaker to [20:26] S count as consent count memorialized in [20:29] resolutions Senator [20:32] Powers you're recognized thank you Mr [20:36] Speaker Mr Speaker spread upon the [20:38] member's desk is a consent calendar of [20:41] memorializing and congratulating [20:43] resolutions if there are no changes or [20:46] objections I move adoption any changes [20:52] objections I see none the consent [20:55] calendar having been properly moved un [20:57] seconded all those in favor the consent [20:59] calendar vote I when the bell rings [21:02] those opposed will vote no let every [21:04] member cast their vote when the bell [21:05] rings low Senator low votes I Mr clerk [21:10] take the vote eyes 32 no n the consent [21:14] calender having received a [21:15] constitutional majority I declare it [21:17] passed without objection motion [21:19] reconsider is hereby table next order Mr [21:23] clerk we have consent counter number two [21:24] of General bills and Sub of resolutions [21:28] chairman Powers you're recognized thanks [21:31] again Mr Speaker also spread upon the [21:34] member's desk is consent calendar number [21:36] two of General bills at the request of a [21:40] member Senate Bill 281 is bumped and [21:43] re-referred to calendar if there are no [21:46] other changes or objections I move [21:49] adoption any changes [21:52] objections consent calendar number two [21:55] haven't been properly moved and seconded [21:58] all those favoring the consent calendar [22:00] vote I when the bell rings those opposed [22:02] to vote no let every member cast their [22:03] vote when the bell rings as every member [22:06] voted does any member wish to change [22:07] their vote Mr clerk take the vote eyes [22:11] 32 no Nate consent calendar number two [22:14] having received a constitutional [22:16] majority I declare passed without [22:18] objection motion reconsider is hereby [22:21] table representative [22:25] berid glad to is dead at his desk his [22:29] old desk glad to have you with [22:33] us you want to come up here and pass a [22:36] few bills pass the offering plate [22:40] maybe thank you Mr Speaker it's good to [22:42] be home it's good to be back where [22:44] government actually works for the people [22:46] and uh I just want to thank you for [22:48] being a a great friend to me when my mom [22:50] and daddy were still on this Earth You [22:52] would always get up and give your seat [22:53] up to my mama and somebody let Daddy sit [22:56] here beside me and there you're the [22:57] first person to call me when daddy left [22:59] this Earth so thank you brother I [23:01] appreciate you and it is very good to be [23:03] home and I just want to tell y'all we're [23:05] decentralizing government you're going [23:06] to get a lot more of it and get [23:10] ready good to have you with [23:15] US senator Crow Miss biger I would just [23:18] reminisce a little bit uh in the old [23:20] days come on up here any the old days [23:23] bring your drink with you too Senator [23:25] Crow I'm just reminiscing that yeah in [23:29] the in the old days when when Tim was [23:31] here and his daddy used to come on the [23:33] floor we all would uh be in awe of his [23:37] service to our country he was one of [23:39] those that cared more about our Liberty [23:40] and freedom than he did his own life and [23:42] we used to say that about him he was a [23:44] tunnel rat Tim's daddy was a tunnel rat [23:46] on okanawa he used to go in those [23:49] tunnels with nothing but a [23:52] 45 and risk all those booby traps and [23:55] things like that I spent years on [23:56] okanawa myself and not not in World War [23:59] II but but uh to to to to PR to practice [24:03] before to practice before going over to [24:05] the Vietnam War but we were proud of him [24:08] and every time he was on the floor we [24:09] made that clear thank thank you for his [24:12] service say next order Mr cler next [24:16] order Mr clerk Mr Speaker to senat on [24:18] regular counter item number one Senate [24:20] joint resolution 25 by Senator Johnson [24:22] on third and final consideration Mr [24:24] Speaker the resolution was read for the [24:25] third time on March 13th 2025 is up [24:28] final vote [24:30] tonight leer Johnson you're recognized [24:33] thank you uh Mr Speaker members we had [24:35] the third and final reading of Senate [24:37] joint resolution 25 on Thursday I [24:41] deferred it to today for a vote and I'm [24:43] grateful for the body's uh consideration [24:45] I'd like to list a few things for for [24:47] your consideration I'm going to ask you [24:49] what these have in common second deegree [24:51] murder an act of terrorism grave torture [24:55] aggravated rape of a child aggravated [24:58] statutory [24:59] rape fac facilitation of rape of a child [25:03] rape aggravated sexual battery [25:06] continuous sexual abuse of a child these [25:09] are just a few things that have [25:10] something in common what these things [25:13] have in common is the fact that a judge [25:15] is prohibited from denying bail to [25:18] someone who is charged with one of these [25:21] heinous offenses and that requirement [25:23] doesn't come from statute it comes [25:25] ladies and gentlemen from our [25:27] constitution you see the Tennessee [25:29] Constitution mandates that all [25:30] defendants except those charged with [25:33] capital defenses must be granted bail [25:35] regardless of their danger to the [25:37] community this constitutional provision [25:39] prevents judges from detaining even the [25:41] most violent offenders allowing them to [25:43] reenter society and commit additional [25:46] crimes while awaiting trial Senate joint [25:49] resolution 25 proposes to correct this [25:52] dangerous Gap by allowing judges to deny [25:55] bail for a narrowly defined set of [25:58] severe offenses including terrorism [26:01] second-degree murder aggravated rape [26:03] grave torture this proposed amendment [26:05] would ensure that only defendants For [26:07] Whom the proof of guilt is evident and [26:09] the presumption great can be held [26:12] without bail pres which would prevent [26:14] misuse of judicial discretion currently [26:17] dangerous criminals with Financial [26:19] Resources can buy their way out of jail [26:21] while Indigent defendants accused of [26:23] lesser crimes remain detained simply [26:26] because they cannot afford bail [26:28] preventative detention has been upheld [26:30] by the United States Supreme Court in US [26:33] versus solo 1987 as a constitutional and [26:37] necessary tool for protecting the public [26:39] the federal bail Reform Act of 1984 [26:42] which denies bail to highrisk defendants [26:45] in certain cases has been used [26:46] successfully for decades without [26:49] constitutional challenges at least 23 [26:52] other states have modernized their [26:53] constitutions to permit permit [26:56] preventative detention for serious or [26:59] repeat violent offenses bringing their [27:01] laws in line with modern Public Safety [27:04] needs Tennessee remains one of only 18 [27:07] states that still adhere to an outdated [27:09] capital offenses only standard which [27:12] makes it an outlier in addressing [27:14] pre-trial Public Safety risks in [27:17] numerous tragic incidences cases across [27:19] Tennessee violent offenders released on [27:22] bail have committed additional crimes [27:24] including murder domestic violence and [27:27] sexual assault a bureau of Justice [27:29] statistics study found that 12% of [27:31] convicted violent felons in major uh [27:35] major urban areas were out on pre-trial [27:37] release when they committed their [27:39] additional [27:41] crimes Senate joint resolution 25 would [27:44] allow judges permissively to use their [27:47] discretion to deny bail only in cases [27:50] where they determine a defendant poses a [27:52] significant [27:53] risk of future harm ensuring that all [27:56] other cases remain eligible for [27:59] Prevail fears of mass incarceration are [28:02] some of the arguments I've heard against [28:03] this amendment are unfounded this [28:05] amendment is designed to impact only the [28:07] most serious offenders who pose an [28:09] immediate threat to Public Safety the [28:12] Tennessee District Attorney's Conference [28:13] has called this the most the single most [28:16] important Public Safety measure in years [28:18] here in the state of [28:20] Tennessee I want to be clear members [28:22] Senate joint resolution 25 does not [28:25] eliminate bail even for those most [28:27] heinous cases it gives our judges the [28:29] discretion to deny bail when they deem [28:32] it in the interest of Public Safety when [28:35] there is someone who is before them [28:36] charged with a serious crime or crimes [28:39] and potentially has a violent criminal [28:41] history it allows the judges to have the [28:44] discretion to detain those people [28:47] pre-trial this amendment will make [28:49] Tennessee's Criminal Justice System more [28:50] fair more modern and most importantly it [28:53] will make our communities safer by [28:55] keeping these violent people off our [28:57] streets while they await trial uh Mr [29:00] speaker thank you appreciate the body's [29:02] Indulgence that was a bit of a lengthy [29:04] explanation but this is an extremely [29:05] important matter I move adoption of [29:08] Senate joint resolution 25 on third or [29:11] final consideration the motion is for [29:13] adoption on third and final [29:14] consideration of Senate joint resolution [29:17] 25 [29:22] discussion Senator Crow and then Senator [29:26] bowling [29:29] Mr Speaker this this is one of those [29:31] bills one of those [29:32] resolutions that our Das want some of my [29:37] judges don't my Bales bondman don't like [29:40] it there's much of it I like some of it [29:42] I don't like but the more I've thought [29:45] about it and The more I've studied it [29:48] and talked with both sides the more I [29:51] realize that kind of like the uh Lottery [29:55] Bill we had years ago I was number 17 on [29:58] on that and I didn't want a [29:59] lottery but I wanted my people to have [30:01] the right to vote on this I didn't want [30:03] to take that away and so I guess in the [30:07] interest of uh being honest to everyone [30:11] uh for those that [30:13] I was was talking with when I opposed [30:16] this pill this [30:17] resolution uh and however now support it [30:21] how I I would apologize to those that uh [30:24] that I had told that I was not [30:26] supportive of it however I think in the [30:30] interest of of of my constituents I'm [30:33] going to vote for this so they can have [30:34] that opportunity that privilege to say [30:36] yes or no themselves just like we did on [30:38] the lottery and uh that's where I am [30:43] thank you Senator Crow Senator [30:46] bowling thank you Mr Speaker um I'm [30:50] rising as someone who had opposed this [30:53] and I have told many people that I [30:54] opposed this and uh I have found out [30:58] some information I did not consider and [31:01] had not known prior to now and what I [31:05] have found out is that it is judicial [31:07] discretion it is not a guarantee that [31:09] they will withhold the bail this would [31:11] be a heinous crime this would be uh [31:14] something to a child torturing a child [31:16] these are these are people that should [31:18] not be and if there has to be a [31:20] preponderance of evidence and there has [31:22] to be uh other factors that would allow [31:26] them to not give of bail but also one of [31:30] the things that I have considered [31:32] because there are so many facts pro and [31:35] con in this I think this is one of the [31:38] things that needs to go before the [31:39] people of the state of Tennessee which [31:41] our yes vote will allow for the people [31:44] of Tennessee at the next goral election [31:47] this would be on the ballot for them to [31:49] make the [31:50] determination thank you Senator bowling [31:53] further [31:55] discussion I see none [31:59] I'm sorry Senator [32:02] Gardenhire thank you Mr Speaker with a [32:04] sponsor yield sponsor [32:07] Yi I have absolutely no arguments with [32:11] the premise of this [32:14] resolution I have no [32:17] problem with locking these people up and [32:20] throwing away the key on the on the [32:23] issues that you brought up [32:29] when I ran in [32:31] 2012 the major theme of my campaign was [32:34] the unintended [32:37] consequences and I've tried to maintain [32:39] that stance all these 12 or 13 [32:45] years last [32:47] August this [32:50] body gave roughly $130 million give or [32:54] take [32:55] five to mental health professionals [32:59] in our special session because we felt [33:01] like we had to do something I didn't [33:03] vote for [33:06] it as far as I know it did no [33:09] good we still had another school [33:11] shooting after we magnanimously gave the [33:15] money [33:16] away we took $30 million from a trust [33:19] fund that Senator Watson had set up a [33:20] couple years ago to help build a [33:23] prison in the [33:26] state to help fund that $130 million [33:29] plus or [33:31] minus to build a new prison it's roughly [33:34] about 450 to $500 [33:39] million I've heard absolutely nothing [33:43] from [33:44] anybody on how we're going to pay for [33:49] this when it hits the [33:51] fan nothing [33:55] crickets today in judiciary we had a [33:58] senator offer a bill to build a juvenile [34:03] prison $238 [34:06] million in West [34:09] Tennessee we had an offic of the Court [34:11] when they did their budget came to us [34:14] and I asked him specifically I said how [34:16] many new prisoners do you think this [34:21] will be put in our jails and they said [34:25] probably no new prisoners [34:28] let me repeat that no new [34:32] prisoners but there always a [34:36] butt sometimes I'm the butt but in this [34:39] case it was a butt they'll just stay [34:44] longer and we'll have to pay for it [34:47] Corrections came to [34:51] us and I asked them I said what's your [34:54] vacancy that you have in your prison oh [34:57] we've got 20% vacancies [35:01] 20 and I said why that's not what I'm [35:05] hearing well [35:08] uh we can't hire correction [35:12] officers we can't pay them [35:15] enough it's a tough job and they don't [35:18] stay long and so that's why we've got [35:21] 20% vacancies [35:32] the [35:37] Das I've had my [35:40] Das outline why they're not for [35:44] it Marin [35:47] County C bowling just issued $6 Million [35:50] worth of [35:52] bonds to expand their [35:55] jails why there's a [35:59] trend in this [36:01] state of an increase in a certain type [36:05] of [36:06] prisoners [36:10] females and it's [36:12] expensive to rebuild and retool a a jail [36:16] to take care of that [36:21] population and if we're going to pass [36:24] something like this again let me be [36:26] perfectly [36:28] clear I don't argue with the intent of [36:31] what we're trying to [36:33] do but when we had the first [36:35] reading and we had a second [36:40] reading and when we had it [36:43] committee I called on the [36:46] administration to come forward with some [36:48] ideas on how they're going to pay for [36:50] this [36:51] thing when it comes du and if it passes [36:55] in the next Governor's election [36:59] nobody in this body has talked about how [37:02] we're going to pay for this thing when [37:03] we put these people which deserve it in [37:06] jail for a long time that's the [37:09] unintended [37:11] consequence of a good [37:14] idea and until somebody shows me how [37:17] they're going to set aside the [37:19] money to take care of these things that [37:23] I'm not going to support it I'm not [37:25] going to be [37:26] there when all of a sudden our local [37:29] County commissions and City [37:32] commissions and [37:33] sheriffs start saying hey Senator we [37:37] need more money for jail well we don't [37:39] have it because we're taking care of [37:40] something [37:41] else so I ask all of y'all to think long [37:44] and hard about the unintended [37:48] consequence of this legislation and this [37:51] resolution thank you Mr speaker thank [37:53] you Senator [37:55] gire Senator yarboro [38:00] uh thank you Mr [38:02] Speaker and I I share the our colleagues [38:06] from Hamilton's concerns about the the [38:09] Practical consequences of [38:11] this I I think that it is it is it is [38:15] fool hearty to think that you can [38:18] do this significant of a [38:21] change in the way that every courthouse [38:25] in the state works and every jail in the [38:28] state works and that there's not going [38:30] to be actual [38:33] consequences uh we know that this is I [38:36] mean most likely going to lead to the [38:39] exact problem that our colleague from [38:41] Hamilton just raised in terms of [38:42] additional cost that we're not actually [38:45] raising to the voters here even if it [38:49] you know in addition to the jail aspect [38:51] to do this sort of [38:55] process the way that this is a allowed [38:57] under federal law to do more to have [39:00] more offenses they require right to [39:03] councils and [39:06] cross-examinations and lengthier [39:09] processes than what we typically do in [39:12] Tennessee on pre-trial so he going to [39:14] significantly unless we are going to be [39:17] willing to spend a lot more on District [39:20] Attorneys on public [39:23] defenders on local Criminal Courts on [39:27] County jails and sheriffs like we [39:29] shouldn't be pushing this [39:32] forward just [39:35] period but I think the more important [39:38] reason is that there's just some Powers [39:40] the government shouldn't [39:42] have [39:44] and like when we come in this room and [39:47] take that oath we take an oath not to [39:49] abridge the rights of people and this [39:52] limits the rights of people right now as [39:55] it has been since this state was [39:58] founded Constitution says that [40:02] everybody has this right and we are [40:05] taking that right [40:07] away uh that was in our original 1796 [40:12] Constitution the exact same language is [40:14] adopted in the 1834 Constitution adopted [40:18] again in the 1870 [40:20] Constitution throughout all the [40:22] amendments in the 20th century no no no [40:24] changes were [40:25] made and actually goes back even further [40:28] than this like the right to bail goes [40:30] back to the Magna [40:32] Carta but this particular version should [40:36] be should mean something to us like the [40:38] exact language that we use comes from [40:41] North Carolina and from [40:42] Pennsylvania and actually it comes [40:46] from people who came to the United [40:49] States who were themselves subject to [40:52] religious persecution and were held [40:54] improperly by the by the crown [40:58] held in prison because of their [40:59] religious beliefs and it was fundamental [41:02] to what they thought government could [41:05] and couldn't do to say [41:08] that the say [41:11] so of like a couple of government of of [41:14] a judge and a prosecutor isn't enough [41:16] for someone to give up their [41:19] Liberty they required something more [41:21] than that they required that there be [41:24] some sort of process where a jury your [41:27] peers found that there was evidence to [41:30] against you before the government could [41:32] could take you away from your family and [41:35] from your freedom and I don't think we [41:37] should be moving in the opposite [41:38] direction than that it's just that [41:41] simple and I I don't think that this is [41:44] this is not there have been states that [41:46] have made adjustments to this [41:48] constitutional provision but I don't [41:50] think there's any that have gone as [41:52] broadly as this I mean this is not a [41:55] narrow change this adds [41:59] 73 or so offenses to a list and it [42:03] doesn't say that bail may be denied it [42:05] says like there's no right to bail in [42:08] those consequences in those [42:09] circumstances no [42:12] right [42:14] and I think we should think long and [42:17] hard before we push forward [42:20] on curtailing the rights of the people [42:23] that we represent thank you Mr speaker [42:25] thank you senator ybur I have Senator [42:28] Campbell and Senator Lamar Senator [42:31] Campbell uh thank you Mr Speaker will [42:33] the sponsor yield sponsor yields uh to [42:36] the sponsor how how is Terrorism defined [42:40] in this [42:42] bill Senator Johnson leader Johnson to [42:46] respond thank you Mr Speaker this is not [42:48] a bill this is a resolution proposing to [42:51] amend the Tennessee Constitution uh [42:53] terrorism is defined in statute it's in [42:56] the Green books back I'll be happy to [42:57] get one of the books and find it for you [42:59] but it it's it's not defined in the [43:03] bill sen lore Senator Campbell excuse me [43:07] thank you Mr Speaker thanks you're right [43:08] of course it's a it's a resolution um [43:11] well I I think the ambiguous nature of [43:14] the definition of terrorism which is the [43:16] unlawful use of force or violence [43:18] against persons or property to [43:20] Intimidator cor government is [43:23] problematic in this instance along with [43:26] the 7 three um offenses that fall under [43:30] the egis of the [43:31] 85% [43:33] definition [43:34] so I guess I would just say that along [43:37] with um prior um colleagues of mine I [43:41] agree that this undermines the [43:43] fundamental tenants of jurist prudence [43:45] in American government which is that you [43:47] have a right to bail you have a right to [43:49] Fair trial and and I think this is a [43:52] slippery slope and um and I also do [43:55] worry greatly that this is going to [43:57] um hamper us financially because we [44:00] already have a problem um with avoing uh [44:04] maintaining our carceral state so um so [44:08] I will be voting against this Bill thank [44:09] you Mr speaker thank you Senator [44:11] Campbell Senator [44:15] Lamar thank you Mr [44:17] Speaker I would just like to raise a [44:19] couple of points Mr Speaker that are [44:21] raised in committee about the bill of [44:23] why I think this is a dangerous [44:25] precedence that we're setting with this [44:27] particular piece of legislation I think [44:29] all of us as members of the Tennessee [44:31] general assembly and the Senate agree [44:34] that we want all of our communities be [44:35] safe we agree with Public Safety and we [44:37] agree with accountability and all of us [44:40] have efforts in order to approve the [44:42] Justice systems where we're holding bad [44:43] folks accountable but also making sure [44:46] we create a Tennesse for those who make [44:47] mistakes and get the opportunity to [44:49] correct themselves now the ability to [44:51] access bail is one of the fundamental [44:53] rights that we give citizens in this [44:55] state because of the understanding you [44:57] are innocent until proven guilty now [45:00] essentially what this particular [45:02] Constitution this resolution does if [45:04] passed on the ballot is holding people [45:07] in jail for 73 crimes before they're [45:12] actually proven to be guilty now as [45:15] stated in Senate Judiciary Committee Mr [45:18] Speaker it was said that there is not [45:21] one state in the country that has a [45:23] blanket Constitutional Amendment like [45:25] this did not that gives judges the [45:27] ability to not bail for 73 crimes we [45:30] will be the [45:32] first so we have no [45:35] idea the implications this will cause [45:38] because no other state has a [45:40] constitutional amendment to do this for [45:42] 73 [45:43] crimes secondly this per this will [45:47] inhibit someone who may be [45:49] innocent from being a for being able to [45:53] continue their lives so Mr Speaker if [45:55] you have an individual who is being [45:57] charged with one of the 73 crimes in a [46:00] particular piece of legislation and that [46:02] judge denies [46:04] bail they could lose their business [46:07] their home their family and there's no [46:10] restitution for them if they hold were [46:12] being held and end up being found not [46:17] guilty what this bill also doesn't [46:20] really talk about the increase in [46:22] property tax that individuals will [46:25] experience because of the incre increase [46:27] in jail prop uh jail population we were [46:30] in fact increased property taxes now if [46:32] you lived in Shelby County we're already [46:34] debating an increase in tax in order to [46:37] fund the rebuilding of our jail because [46:39] it's overcrowded it's outdated and we [46:42] cannot already house the people that we [46:45] have in there so what we see what's [46:48] happening in New Jersey which doesn't [46:50] have this Constitutional Amendment but [46:51] does have some sort of [46:53] law with the same level of synergy they [46:57] have increased property taxes and it's [46:59] still not enough to fund the increase in [47:01] prisoners that we see in jail based on [47:05] that piece of legislation where it's now [47:07] having unintended [47:09] consequences I also think that people in [47:12] the public when they read this [47:14] legislation on the ballot first and [47:16] foremost I don't think the fiscal note [47:18] doesn't reflect the actual cost that [47:21] this will experience for taxpayers [47:24] because it's not talking about the [47:26] increase in jail [47:28] funding but secondly Mr Speaker when [47:31] it's on the ballot it's not going to [47:33] actually list all the crimes that are [47:36] being considered in this legislation it [47:39] reads the one through six and then line [47:42] number seven talks about all the 60 plus [47:47] crimes under truth and sentencing so for [47:51] voters they're going to be reading this [47:54] resolution on a ballot thinking it's [47:56] only focusing on those six crimes that [47:59] are listed explicitly they are going to [48:02] be unaware of all the other crimes under [48:04] truth and sentencing which means they [48:07] cannot actually place a correct vote [48:10] because it will not list all the crimes [48:13] that this bill is going to [48:16] cover SEC uh in addition judges can [48:20] already set a bill so high for those [48:23] violent offenders that they cannot get [48:25] out [48:27] in addition to that you have an inequity [48:31] on discretion by the judges based on [48:34] where you live so if we're thinking [48:36] about all 73 of these crimes and Shelby [48:41] there may be a judge that denies bail [48:43] for this crime but if you go to [ __ ] [48:45] County this judge won't or if you go to [48:47] suar County this judge can or if you go [48:51] to Knox County this judge can't so [48:56] you're only going to be denied bail [48:58] based on what county you're in and how [49:01] they see fit based on this crime versus [49:04] our current system now allows judges to [49:08] set a high enough bail for their most [49:10] serious crimes so it creates an inequity [49:13] in our justice system again there is not [49:17] one state in this country that has this [49:21] not one we are going to be forced to put [49:24] millions of dollars into building new [49:30] jails we're supposed to be a state that [49:32] holds people accountable but not [ __ ] [49:35] taxpayers with constantly using our [49:37] money to build more [49:39] prisons so while I understand we all [49:42] care about Public Safety trust me I care [49:45] just like many of all of you but denying [49:48] bail for 73 crimes and not giving voters [49:51] the truth behind what all the crimes are [49:55] to me is a disservice to the voters who [49:58] will be voting on this piece of [49:59] legislation it's a disservice to the [50:02] voters because it's not telling them the [50:04] accurate costs and the consequences and [50:08] once you do this and you see that it's [50:11] not going to [50:12] work it's going to take a lot to undo [50:15] the mistakes that we could potentially [50:17] be making with this piece of legislation [50:19] I appreciate my colleagues listening [50:21] thank you Mr speaker thank you chairman [50:24] Lamar further discussion [50:27] is there objection to the [50:29] question I see none without [50:32] objection I'll ask Senator John Johnson [50:35] to close leader Johnson to close excuse [50:38] me thank you Mr Speaker and thank you [50:40] members for the uh for the for the [50:42] discussion couple of final points here I [50:45] I I respect and appreciate the [50:47] conversation and several members brought [50:48] up the the the issue of [50:51] cost members our number one job up here [50:54] is Public Safety it is Public Safety and [50:58] it is to equip our court systems with [51:00] the tools they need to keep our communi [51:02] safe and unfortunately they don't have [51:04] those tools right now or all that they [51:07] need they're hamstrung by the [51:09] Constitution when the Constitution was [51:12] first ratified in [51:14] 1796 it did have this language but you [51:17] know what stealing a horse was a capital [51:20] offense there were other capital [51:22] offenses that were recognized as capital [51:24] offenses but today [51:27] because the Supreme Court has ruled that [51:29] the only capital offense is first-degree [51:31] murder because of the language in our [51:33] constitution our judges hands are tied [51:36] and they can't deny bail to those most [51:39] violent of [51:41] criminals now if you look at the data [51:43] and I have and people a lot smarter than [51:46] me have studied this issue and I'm sure [51:48] many of you have seen some of the data [51:50] as well actually don't [51:53] anticipate thankfully that many more [51:55] people to be incarcerated pre-trial [51:58] because of denial of bail thankfully [52:01] there aren't that many crimes they do [52:03] happen but this is not going to lead [52:05] lead to a massive overrun of our jails [52:08] who runs our jails in the state of [52:10] Tennessee judges no our Sheriff's do [52:14] guess who endorses this amendment guess [52:17] who endorses in addition to our district [52:19] attorneys the sheriff's [52:21] Association they believe the juice is [52:23] worth a squeeze if it means they have to [52:25] put a few more people in their jails to [52:27] keep them from reoffending and harming [52:29] our fellow citizens they think it's [52:31] worth it but I will say I'm part of the [52:34] budget discussions up here every year if [52:37] we end up having to appropriate some [52:38] more money then let's do it we will but [52:41] let's satisfy that number one [52:43] responsibility we have as members of [52:45] this general assembly and that is to [52:47] keep our communi safe and to empower our [52:49] partners and law enforcement the [52:51] district attorneys and our judicial [52:53] system with the tools that they need [52:55] right now their hands are tied [52:58] another point that was made which I [53:00] think is fairly insulting to the people [53:02] of Tennessee is that they won't [53:04] understand this amendment I believe they [53:06] will I believe that the people of [53:08] Tennessee are smart enough to read this [53:11] amendment and understand it read the [53:12] language understand what it means and I [53:15] believe when they do fully understand it [53:17] they will overwhelmingly ratify this [53:19] amendment and that's how our process [53:21] works members I'm asking you to vote for [53:24] this resolution we're not going to amend [53:25] our constit ution today you know what [53:27] we're going to do we're going to let our [53:29] constituents the people of Tennessee [53:31] decide if they want our judges to be [53:33] empowered to keep these most violent of [53:35] violent people off the streets when [53:37] they're convicted or rather when they're [53:39] charged with a crime pre-trial that's [53:41] it's that simple that's what Senate [53:43] joint resolution 25 does I'd be grateful [53:45] for a favorable consideration Mr Speaker [53:48] renew my [53:49] motion Senator Johnson renews his motion [53:52] for passage on Senate joint resolution [53:54] 25 all those favoring it will vote I [53:58] those opposed will vote no let every [54:00] member cast their vote when the bell [54:03] rings has every member [54:07] voted does any member wish to change [54:09] their vote Mr clerk take the vote eyes [54:13] 23 [54:15] n6 Senate joint resolution 25 having [54:19] received a constitutional majority I [54:21] declare it passed without objection [54:23] motion reconsider is hereby table [54:29] next bill Mr clerk item two sen Bill 191 [54:32] by Senator Taylor on third and final [54:34] consideration Senator Taylor you [54:36] recognized on Senate Bill [54:39] 191 thank you Mr speaker now that we've [54:41] got that out of the way um I would move [54:45] consideration of Senate Bill 191 for [54:47] third and final consideration that's a [54:49] proper motion properly seconded [54:52] amendments Mr [54:54] clerk speaker no amendments are follow [54:59] Senator Taylor on the bill thank you [55:01] thank you Mr Speaker this bill comes to [55:03] us from the comp Controllers Office and [55:05] basically what this bill will do is it [55:08] will mandate that the comp controllers [55:10] will provide approval for local [55:12] governments that issue high-risk debt [55:15] and it reclassifies certain debt to be [55:18] included in the high-risk category it [55:21] also um adds Municipal energy [55:23] authorities to the definition of local [55:25] governments uh for the purposes of this [55:27] bill and then lastly this bill updates [55:30] the law to exclude certain federal [55:33] lending programs for from the balloon [55:35] indebtedness so basically this will [55:38] allow government to work better by uh [55:41] requiring local governments who want to [55:43] issue high-risk debt to get uh approval [55:46] from the com controller's office in in [55:48] order to do that last thing I'll say Mr [55:50] Speaker I would have come to this with [55:52] this bill sooner but the uh gentleman [55:55] from clay County was camped out at the [55:57] comp controller's office for about 3 [55:59] days to get his little bill with the [56:01] training wheels on it that was his first [56:03] bill and preventing me from bringing [56:06] this one sooner thank you Mr speaker [56:08] thank you Senator Taylor discussion on [56:10] Senate Bill [56:12] 191 objection to the question I see none [56:16] we'll be voting on Senate Bill 191 those [56:18] members in favor of Senate Bill 191 vote [56:21] I when the bell rings so supposed to [56:23] vote no let every member cast a vote [56:25] when the bell rings has every member [56:27] voted does any member wish to change [56:29] their vote Mr clerk take the vote I 29 [56:33] no Senate Bill 191 having received a [56:36] constitutional majority I declare it [56:38] passed without objection motion [56:40] reconsider is hereby table next bill Mr [56:51] clerk we on item number three cill 196 [56:54] by Senator Wally on third and final [56:55] consideration Senator Wally you [56:57] recognized on Senate Bill [56:59] 196 Mr speaker thank you very much Mr [57:02] Speaker at the request of a colleague I [57:04] would like to move this bill to Thursday [57:07] next without objection Thursday next [57:11] next bill Mr clerk item four C Bill 224 [57:14] by Senator Taylor on third and final [57:16] consideration Mr Speaker the house bill [57:17] is on the desk Senator Taylor you're [57:19] recognized on Senate Bill [57:21] 224 thank you Mr Speaker I would move to [57:25] conform the subtitute to the house house [57:29] bill 62 that's proper motion properly [57:33] seconded is there objection without [57:36] objection we're on House Bill 62 Senator [57:39] Taylor moves adoption it's properly [57:41] seconded amendments Mr clerk amendment [57:45] number one Senate Health and Welfare [57:47] committee [57:49] Amendment where did Chairman Crow go [57:52] Senator hail Senator hail on amendment [57:55] number one I believe it's in the House [58:00] Bill thank thank you Mr Speaker U move [58:03] to withdraw without objection withdrawn [58:08] on the bill Senator [58:10] Taylor thank you Mr Speaker this bill [58:13] comes to us from the University of [58:14] Memphis and uh years ago athletic [58:18] trainers were allowed to engage in the [58:20] practice of uh dry needling for their [58:24] athletes fast forward if you years it [58:26] was an attorney general's opinion that [58:28] ultimately said that um that dry [58:30] needling was beyond the scope of [58:33] athletic trainers so what we're [58:35] attempting to do uh with this bill Mr [58:37] Speaker is to bring athletic trainers [58:40] into the same category with physical [58:42] therapists and occupational therapist as [58:44] it relates to dry needling this bill [58:47] will require that board of athletic [58:48] trainers to to develop uh comp [58:52] competency requirements and minimum [58:54] standards and it will also approve what [58:56] schools will uh be engaged in uh [58:58] teaching uh dry needling for the [59:01] continuing education and that's [59:03] basically what this bill does is giving [59:05] athletic trainers the ability to do what [59:06] they once could do as it relates to dry [59:09] needling thank you Mr Speaker discussion [59:11] on the [59:12] bill see none objection to the question [59:16] there is none we'll be voting on Senate [59:19] Bill excuse me House Bill 62 those [59:22] members favoring House Bill 62 will vote [59:25] I when the bill r [59:26] those opposed to vote no Senator white [59:28] votes I has every member voted does any [59:32] member wish to change their vote Mr [59:34] clerk take the vote I 31 no n House Bill [59:38] 62 having received a constitution [59:40] majority I declare it passed without [59:43] objection motion reconsider is hereby [59:45] table next bill Mr [59:48] clerk Senator yarboro excuse me thank [59:51] you Mr Speaker PA just if I be [59:53] recognized out of order like to [59:55] introduce a special guest with us who's [59:57] here today uh we have Senator Mark Daly [1:00:01] who is uh the chair of the senate for in [1:00:04] Ireland uh the Republic of Ireland and [1:00:06] is a good friend of ours here in [1:00:08] Tennessee uh the my my my house of [1:00:13] representatives co-chair of the American [1:00:15] Irish legislative caucus is here with [1:00:18] him and we're welcoming him him today I [1:00:21] hope you get a chance to meet Mark he is [1:00:22] a great guy and has really a lot of [1:00:26] effort into building relationships [1:00:28] between Ireland and the state of [1:00:30] Tennessee uh that our people have always [1:00:33] had but give given the whiskey and the [1:00:35] and the and the music and The Beautiful [1:00:38] People but uh we're trying to deepen [1:00:41] those ties to Commerce and other things [1:00:43] and so he has been a great friend of [1:00:45] ours and so I hope you'll stop by and [1:00:47] meet him there's a reception in the [1:00:48] legislative Library when we adjourn so [1:00:51] if we could just welcome him today thank [1:00:54] you thank you glad to they have you with [1:01:00] us thank you Senator Ybor appreciate [1:01:04] that next order Mr clerk autum five C [1:01:07] Bill 231 muster [1:01:09] arberry Thursday [1:01:12] next item number six C Bill 233 by [1:01:15] Senator arberry without objection [1:01:17] Thursday [1:01:20] next item seven Senate Bill 239 by [1:01:23] Senator Taylor on third and final [1:01:25] consideration Senator Taylor you're [1:01:27] recognized on Senate Bill [1:01:29] 239 thank you Mr [1:01:32] Speaker I would like to move uh for [1:01:35] third and final consideration Senate [1:01:37] Bill 239 that's proper motion properly [1:01:40] seconded amendments Mr clerk amendment [1:01:42] number one Senate Judiciary Committee [1:01:44] Amendment Senator Garden H you [1:01:47] recognized thank you Mr Speaker [1:01:49] Amendment one changes the reporting [1:01:52] deadline from January 1st of 2026 to [1:01:55] January 31st [1:01:57] 2026 with that I move amendment number [1:01:59] one for adoption and yield to the [1:02:01] sponsor for any additional questions [1:02:03] that's a proper motion properly seconded [1:02:08] discussion OB objection to the question [1:02:11] I see none all in favor of amendment [1:02:14] number one say [1:02:16] I oppose nay you [1:02:20] adopt on the bill as amended [1:02:23] discussion objection to the question [1:02:26] I see none Senator Taylor renews his [1:02:29] motion we'll be voting on Senate Bill [1:02:31] 239 on third and final consideration [1:02:34] those members in favor of Senate Bill [1:02:36] 239 vote I when the bell rings those [1:02:39] opposed to vote no let every member [1:02:41] guess their vote with when the bill [1:02:43] Rings sen white votes [1:02:48] I Mr clerk take the vote I 29 no n [1:02:53] Senate Bill 239 having received the con [1:02:55] tion majority I declare it passed [1:02:58] without objection motion reconsider is [1:03:00] hereby table next bill Mr clerk automate [1:03:03] C Bill 240 by Senator Taylor on third [1:03:05] and final consideration speak of house [1:03:07] bill is on the desk Senator Taylor you [1:03:09] recognized on Senate Bill [1:03:12] 240 thank you Mr Speaker and I would [1:03:16] move to conform and substitute the house [1:03:17] bill [1:03:19] 207 that's a proper motion properly [1:03:21] seconded is there objection without [1:03:23] objection we're on House Bill [1:03:27] 207 Senator Taylor moves adoptions [1:03:30] properly seconded amendments Mr clerk [1:03:32] amendment number one Senate Judiciary [1:03:34] Committee amendment is in the house bill [1:03:36] chairman Gardenhire thank you Mr Speaker [1:03:38] I move to withdraw without objection [1:03:42] withdrawn on the bill Senator Taylor [1:03:45] thank you Mr Speaker uh this bill uh [1:03:49] actually does a couple of things one [1:03:51] organized retail crime is a continued [1:03:54] problem uh not only in Tennessee but but [1:03:57] nationally uh a hundred billion dollar a [1:04:00] year is lost to organized retail crime [1:04:02] Nationwide $500 million is lost to [1:04:06] private businesses in uh Statewide and [1:04:09] the state is losing $117 million a year [1:04:12] in loss tax revenue what this bill will [1:04:15] do Mr Speaker is if passed it will amend [1:04:19] the current code to add additional [1:04:20] definitions to organized retail crime [1:04:23] statute it also will amend the current [1:04:26] code to add enhancement for engaging in [1:04:28] the destruction of property or the using [1:04:31] of a weapon during the commission of [1:04:33] organized retail crime simply put Mr [1:04:35] Speaker this bill updates the code to [1:04:37] match the 2025 criminal and with that I [1:04:40] would ask for a favorable vote Senator [1:04:43] Taylor renews his motion [1:04:47] discussion objection to the question I [1:04:50] see none we'll be voting on House Bill [1:04:53] 207 on third and final consideration [1:04:55] those members favoring House Bill 207 to [1:04:58] vote I when the bell rings those opposed [1:05:00] to vote no let every member cast their [1:05:02] vote when the bell rings do every member [1:05:05] voted Senator Roberts votes ey do [1:05:08] Senator Crow votes ey does any member [1:05:11] wish to change their vote Mr clerk take [1:05:13] the vote I 31 n Senate Bill 207 having [1:05:18] received a constitution majority I [1:05:20] declare it passed without objection [1:05:22] motion reconsider is hereby table next [1:05:25] Bill Mr clerk Mr Speaker the Senate's on [1:05:28] item number nine Senate Bill 298 by [1:05:30] Senator Roberts Senator Roberts you're [1:05:32] recognized on Senate Bill [1:05:34] 298 thank you Mr Speaker uh the chairman [1:05:37] of Finance had some questions about this [1:05:39] bill and asked me if I could roll it and [1:05:41] uh if I may I'd like to roll it for two [1:05:43] weeks two weeks if I may please without [1:05:46] objection two weeks next bill Mr [1:05:50] clerk Mr Speaker the Senate's on item [1:05:53] number 10 Senate Bill 305 by senator [1:05:55] Briggs Senator Briggs you're recognized [1:05:58] on Senate Bill [1:05:59] 305 uh thank you very much Mr Speaker [1:06:02] I'd like to move Senate Bill 305 for [1:06:05] third and final consideration that's [1:06:08] proper motion properly seconded [1:06:09] amendments Mr clerk amendment number one [1:06:12] by the Senate state and local government [1:06:13] committee Senator Briggs you're [1:06:15] recognized on Amendment one uh thank you [1:06:17] very much Mr Speaker amendment number [1:06:19] one rewrites the bill and it prohibits a [1:06:22] religious organization that receives [1:06:24] States funds from denying a person [1:06:27] benefits to excluding a person from [1:06:30] participating in or discriminating [1:06:32] against a person on the basis of [1:06:34] religion who would otherwise be eligible [1:06:36] for the program or [1:06:41] activity you've heard the amendment [1:06:43] discussion on the [1:06:45] amendment see none objection to the [1:06:48] question there is none on the amendment [1:06:50] all in favor say [1:06:52] I on the those opposed [1:06:56] nay amendment number one's adopted on [1:06:59] the bill as amended [1:07:04] discussion objection to the question I [1:07:06] see none Senator BRS she wish wish to [1:07:09] close I renew my motion Senate Briggs [1:07:11] renes his motion we'll be voting on [1:07:13] Senate Bill 305 on third and final [1:07:16] consideration those members in favor of [1:07:18] Senate Bill 305 vote I when the bell [1:07:21] rings those opposed to vote no let every [1:07:23] member cast their vote when the bell [1:07:25] rings is every member voted does any [1:07:27] member wish to change their vote Mr [1:07:29] clerk take the [1:07:30] vote I 30 no n Senate Bill 305 having [1:07:35] received a constitutional majority I [1:07:37] declare it passed without objection [1:07:40] motion reconsider is hereby table next [1:07:44] bill Mr clerk Mr Speaker the Senate's on [1:07:46] item number 11 Senate Bill 384 by [1:07:48] Senator Taylor Senator Taylor you [1:07:50] recognized on Senate Bill [1:07:53] 384 thank you Mr Speaker I would move uh [1:07:56] for third and final consideration Senate [1:07:58] Bill 384 that's proper motion properly [1:08:01] seconded amendments Mr clerk amendment [1:08:03] number one by the Senate state and local [1:08:04] government committee Senator Briggs [1:08:06] you're recognized on amendment number [1:08:08] one thank you Mr Speaker amendment [1:08:10] number one moves the effective date to [1:08:12] July 1 2025 move to adopt amendment [1:08:15] number one that's a proper motion [1:08:18] properly seconded [1:08:19] discussion objection to the question I [1:08:22] see none all in favor of amendment [1:08:24] number one say I those oppos nay you [1:08:30] adopt on the bill Senator [1:08:34] Taylor thank you Mr Speaker what this [1:08:38] bill uh what it will do is currently an [1:08:42] extended stay [1:08:43] hotel collects the lodging tax for uh [1:08:49] people who are staying in that hotel if [1:08:51] it's less than 30 days then the hotel [1:08:55] operator has to refund that lodging tax [1:08:57] back to the customer if they stay Beyond [1:09:00] 30 days because it's an extended stay [1:09:02] hotel they don't pay any lodging tax at [1:09:04] all this bill will basically allow [1:09:08] municipalities to keep that first 30 [1:09:11] days of uh lodging tax uh from the [1:09:15] extended state hotel and it remains [1:09:17] unchanged what happens after day 31 [1:09:19] which is that uh they get to stay [1:09:21] without a tax that's basically what this [1:09:23] will do and it will allow the municipal [1:09:25] ities to be able to collect that [1:09:27] Municipal TA or that loding tax for the [1:09:29] first 30 days you you've heard the [1:09:32] discussion and Amendment on the bill is [1:09:35] are there [1:09:36] questions objection to the question I [1:09:39] see none we'll be voting on Senate Bill [1:09:42] 384 on third and final consideration [1:09:44] those members favoring Senate Bill 384 [1:09:47] will vote I when the bell rings those [1:09:49] opposed to vote no let every member cast [1:09:51] their vote when the bell [1:09:53] rings Jack senor Jackson votes I Senator [1:09:57] Massie votes I Mr clerk take the [1:10:01] vote eyes 30 no [1:10:04] n Senate Bill 385 having received a [1:10:07] constitutional majority I declare it [1:10:09] passed without objection motion [1:10:11] reconsider is hereby take next bill Mr [1:10:15] clerk Mr Speaker the Senate's on item [1:10:17] number 12 Senate Bill 416 by Senator [1:10:19] hail speaker ha you're recognized on [1:10:22] Senate Bill [1:10:23] 416 thank you Mr Speaker [1:10:26] leas face a conflict in the law as they [1:10:28] seek out the highest quality materials [1:10:31] to use in their virtual schools today a [1:10:34] requirement exists for any school to use [1:10:36] textbooks from the list approved by the [1:10:38] textbook commission unfortunately there [1:10:41] aren't products on textbooks commission [1:10:44] commission approved lists that are [1:10:46] appropriate for use in the virtual [1:10:47] school setting this is issue was brought [1:10:50] to me by my own District seen a conflict [1:10:53] firsthand this bill will bring clar for [1:10:55] districts until we can get a permanent [1:10:57] solution in place with that Mr Speaker I [1:11:00] move Senate Bill 416 on third and final [1:11:03] consideration bring up Amendment that'll [1:11:05] make the bill speaker L move Senate Bill [1:11:07] 416 it's properly seconded amendments Mr [1:11:10] clerk amendment number one by the Senate [1:11:12] education committee chairman Massie [1:11:14] you're recognized on Senate education [1:11:17] commit excuse me Senator [1:11:19] why thank you Mr Speaker this amendment [1:11:22] requires virtual schools to use [1:11:24] curriculum and materials that meet or [1:11:26] exceed the State Board of education's [1:11:30] academic standards and prohibits the the [1:11:34] approval of a waiver to use materials [1:11:36] that do not meet these standards [1:11:38] furthermore the amendment ensures that [1:11:40] virtual schools maintain the right to [1:11:42] apply for a waiver for unapproved M [1:11:45] materials provided these materials are [1:11:47] shown to meet the state standards move [1:11:50] to adopt motion is to adopt discussion [1:11:55] is there objection to the question I see [1:11:57] none all in favor of Education committee [1:12:01] amendment number one say I those oppos [1:12:05] nay you adopt on the bill as amended [1:12:11] discussion is there objection to the [1:12:14] question I see [1:12:16] none Senator hail renews his motion [1:12:19] we'll be voting on Senate Bill 416 on [1:12:22] third and final consideration those [1:12:24] members in favor Senate Bill 416 is [1:12:27] amended vote I when the bell rings those [1:12:29] opposed vote no let every member cast [1:12:32] their vote when the bell [1:12:35] rings Senator Bailey votes I Senator [1:12:38] Campbell votes [1:12:40] I Mr clerk take the vote eyes 32 no a [1:12:46] Senate Bill 416 having received a [1:12:48] constitutional majority I declare it [1:12:50] passed without objection motion [1:12:52] reconsider is hereby table [1:12:55] next bill Mr clerk Mr Speaker of the [1:12:58] Senate on item number 13 Senate Bill 421 [1:13:01] by Senator [1:13:02] Reeves sen Reeves you're recognized on [1:13:05] Senate Bill [1:13:07] 421 thank you thank you Mr Speaker roll [1:13:10] Senate Bill 421 to Thursday March [1:13:13] 27th without objection Senate Bill 421 [1:13:17] is rolled till Thursday March [1:13:21] 22nd next bill Mr clerk Mr Speaker this [1:13:25] senat on item number 14 Senate Bill 4 [1:13:27] 440 by Senator w-e Senator Wally you [1:13:30] recognize on Senate Bill [1:13:32] 440 thank you very much Mr Speaker Mr [1:13:35] Speaker I would move passage of Senate [1:13:37] Bill 440 on third and final [1:13:38] consideration that's proper motion [1:13:40] properly [1:13:42] seconded Senator Wally an explanation on [1:13:45] the bill thank you Mr Speaker Senate [1:13:48] Bill 440 comes from afflac you know the [1:13:51] duck uh coach Saban coach Prime this is [1:13:55] a bill that makes a change to the [1:13:56] expected benefit insurance also known as [1:13:59] supplemental insurance and does not [1:14:00] touch major medical insurance expected [1:14:04] benefit insurance is an insurance [1:14:05] product that pays a policy holder money [1:14:07] to cover loss wages due to an accident [1:14:09] or illness and doesn't go directly to [1:14:12] the health care provider it's designed [1:14:14] to fill Financial gaps left by major [1:14:16] medical insurance and help in unplanned [1:14:18] unexpected events like cancer heart [1:14:20] attack or Hospital stay the policy [1:14:23] holder can use the money for co-pay [1:14:25] bills Child Care mortgage payments [1:14:27] anything they wish Mr Speaker this bill [1:14:30] clarifies and distinguishes supplemental [1:14:32] products from major medical and that [1:14:34] supplemental insurance does not cover [1:14:36] mandates that major medical insurance [1:14:39] covers so with that Mr Speaker pending [1:14:42] any questions I would renew my motion [1:14:44] for passage that's Pro proper [1:14:47] motion [1:14:50] discussion objection to the [1:14:52] question I see none we'll be voting on [1:14:56] Senate Bill 440 on third and final [1:14:58] consideration those members in favor of [1:15:00] Senate Bill 44 440 will vote I when the [1:15:03] bell rings those opposed to vote no let [1:15:05] every member cast the vote when the bell [1:15:08] rings Senator Bailey votes I and Mr [1:15:11] clerk take the vote eyes 32 no n Senate [1:15:16] Bill 440 having received a [1:15:18] constitutional majority I declare it [1:15:20] passed without objection motion [1:15:22] reconsider is here by table [1:15:27] at one time we speaker Wilder used to [1:15:31] say when they used the Senate used to be [1:15:34] able to receive Donald Duck orange juice [1:15:37] or grapefruit juice that when Donald [1:15:40] Duck came to the legislature the [1:15:42] legislature went quack quack [1:15:46] quack no telling what was in it quack [1:15:50] quack next bill Mr clerk item 15 C Bill [1:15:54] 449 by Senator Massie on third and final [1:15:56] consideration chairman Massie you're [1:15:58] recognized on Senate Bill [1:16:00] 449 um thank you Mr Speaker and I move [1:16:04] Senate Bill 449 on third and final [1:16:07] consideration in order to bring up the [1:16:09] amendment that's a proper motion [1:16:10] properly seconded amendments Mr clerk [1:16:13] amendment number one Senate Health and [1:16:14] Welfare committee Amendment chairman [1:16:16] Crow you recognized on Amendment one [1:16:19] thank you Mr [1:16:21] Speaker amendment I do have amendment [1:16:23] number one and it rewrites the bill it [1:16:27] enacts the fertility treatment and [1:16:29] contraceptive protection act establishes [1:16:32] the right of an individual to engage in [1:16:34] activities associated with fertility [1:16:36] treatment and contraception in the state [1:16:39] it affirms the right of Health Care [1:16:41] Providers to [1:16:42] perform and the right of a person to [1:16:45] receive or use fertility treatment and [1:16:48] contraceptives in the state so without [1:16:51] objection I would move to adopt it does [1:16:54] make the bill without objection please [1:16:55] sir and defer to the sponsor Senator [1:16:58] grow moves adoption of amendment number [1:17:00] one's properly seconded discussion on [1:17:03] Amendment one yeah objection to the [1:17:07] question all I see none all in favor of [1:17:10] amendment number one say I oppose nay [1:17:14] you [1:17:16] adopt on the bill is there [1:17:20] discussion objection to the question I [1:17:23] see none Senator Mass renews her motion [1:17:25] we'll be voting on Senate Bill 449 on [1:17:29] third and final consideration those [1:17:31] members favoring Senate Bill 449 will [1:17:34] vote I when the bell rings those opposed [1:17:36] to vote no let every member cast their [1:17:39] votee when the bell rings is every [1:17:40] member voted does any member wish to [1:17:43] change their vote Mr clerk take the vote [1:17:46] eyes 29 no n Senate Bill 449 having [1:17:51] received a constitutional majority I [1:17:52] declare it passed with without objection [1:17:55] the motion reconsider is here by table [1:17:59] next bill Mr [1:18:01] clerk item 16 Cate Bill 5 17 by Senator [1:18:05] acry without objection Thursday [1:18:08] next next bill Mr clerk item 17 Senate [1:18:11] Bill 541 by Senator Stevens on third and [1:18:14] final consideration chairman Stevens [1:18:16] here recognized on Senate Bill [1:18:19] 541 thank you Mr Speaker this bill needs [1:18:22] a little more consideration little more [1:18:24] time to just State let's send it back to [1:18:27] calendar without [1:18:29] objection [1:18:31] calendar next bill Mr [1:18:36] clerk item 18 c Bill 547 my Senator [1:18:40] Stevens on third and final consideration [1:18:42] chairman Stevens you recognized on [1:18:44] Senate Bill [1:18:46] 547 thank you Mr Speaker I move Senate [1:18:49] Bill 547 on third and final [1:18:52] consideration that's a proper motion [1:18:54] proper [1:18:56] seconded Senator Stevens on the [1:18:59] bill thank you Mr Speaker uh upon [1:19:02] approval by Third 2third majority vote [1:19:05] of the county legislative body this bill [1:19:08] would authorize Criminal Court to charge [1:19:10] $2 $12 sorry excuse me [1:19:13] $12.50 in every misdemeanor and felony [1:19:17] cost bill for multicounty judicial [1:19:20] districts the funds allocated to would [1:19:22] be allocated to the district attorney [1:19:24] general's conference [1:19:25] to provide supplemental funding for each [1:19:28] office in that Judicial District for [1:19:30] single County districts the funds would [1:19:33] be remitted to the County government the [1:19:35] receiving District Attorney General [1:19:37] would that's uh that receives the funds [1:19:39] is required to report the funding to the [1:19:42] conference no later than June uh January [1:19:44] 1st the district attorney general is [1:19:46] required to conference is required to [1:19:49] file a more comprehensive report by [1:19:51] February 15th to the Senate Judiciary [1:19:54] chair house criminal justice chair and [1:19:56] both Finance chairs this fund uh and [1:20:01] legislation mirrors a similar funding [1:20:04] mechanism that the public defenders [1:20:05] conference has uh and and with that [1:20:08] explanation I'm glad to take [1:20:11] questions questions on Senate Bill [1:20:15] 547 is there objection to the question I [1:20:19] see none we'll be voting on Senate Bill [1:20:21] 547 on third and final consideration [1:20:24] those members favoring Senate Bill 547 [1:20:27] to vote I when the bell rings those [1:20:29] opposed to vote no let every member cast [1:20:32] their vote when the bell rings s member [1:20:34] voted does any member wish to change [1:20:36] their vote Mr clerk take the vote uh 25 [1:20:41] five n Senate Bill 547 having received a [1:20:45] constitutional majority I declare it [1:20:47] passed without objection motion [1:20:49] reconsider is here by table next bill Mr [1:20:52] clerk item 19 C Bill 5 ready2 by Senator [1:20:56] acry without objection Thursday [1:20:59] next next bill Mr clerk autum 20 Senate [1:21:03] Bill 689 by Senator white on third and [1:21:06] final consideration chairman white [1:21:07] you're recognized on Senate Bill [1:21:11] 689 thank you Mr Speaker this [1:21:13] legislation as amended would complete [1:21:16] the merger of tsac and tck [1:21:20] together I I REM renew my motion on [1:21:23] third and final consideration [1:21:25] sen white moves adoption of Senate Bill [1:21:28] 689 properly seconded amendments Mr [1:21:31] clerk amendment number one Senate [1:21:32] education committee Amendment chairman [1:21:34] Wyatt on amendment number one thank you [1:21:37] Mr Speaker Amendment one completes a [1:21:39] merger of TAC and TC and delete [1:21:41] scholarship programs that are no longer [1:21:43] in use I move to adopt motion is for [1:21:46] adoption [1:21:48] discussion objection to the question I [1:21:52] see none All In favor of amendment [1:21:56] number one say I oppose nay you [1:22:00] adopt on the bill [1:22:04] discussion is there objection to the [1:22:07] question I see none Senator white renews [1:22:09] her motion we'll be voting on Senate [1:22:11] Bill 689 is amended on third and final [1:22:14] consideration those members favoring [1:22:16] Senate Bill 689 will vote I when the [1:22:19] bill Rings those opposed to vote no let [1:22:21] every member mcer vote when the bill [1:22:24] right sen low votes I Mr clerk take the [1:22:29] vote I [1:22:31] 3118 Senate Bill 689 having received a [1:22:35] constitution majority I declare it [1:22:37] passed without objection motion [1:22:39] reconsider is hereby table next bill Mr [1:22:42] Clerk [1:22:55] item number 21 Senate Bill 703 by [1:22:57] Senator Massie on third and final [1:22:59] consideration Senator Massie you [1:23:00] recognized on Senate Bill 703 thank you [1:23:04] Mr Speaker and I move Senate Bill 703 on [1:23:07] third and final consideration in order [1:23:10] to bring up the amendment that's prop [1:23:13] motion properly seconded amendments Mr [1:23:18] clerk Senator Massie on amendment number [1:23:21] one thank you Mr Speaker this bill as [1:23:25] Rewritten uh the amendment does set up a [1:23:28] Tasser study to to do a deep dive on our [1:23:32] transportation infrastructure funding uh [1:23:35] the the the relying totally on the gas [1:23:39] tax with the gas tax being deete a [1:23:42] depleting Revenue source is not working [1:23:45] and so this will look at all re [1:23:49] potential Revenue sources all potential [1:23:52] needs that we're going to have in [1:23:53] transportation [1:23:55] and then bring the results back to us um [1:23:58] by September 30th [1:24:00] 2026 so we can look how to uh work to [1:24:04] fix our transportation funding structure [1:24:08] uh to meet the needs of tennesseans [1:24:09] going forward I move the amendment [1:24:13] Senator Massi moves the Amendments been [1:24:17] properly seconded discussion on the [1:24:21] amendment is there objection to the [1:24:23] question [1:24:25] I see none all those in favor of [1:24:28] Transportation amendment number one say [1:24:31] I oppose nay you adopt on the bill as [1:24:35] amended [1:24:38] discussion objection to the question see [1:24:42] none sir Massie renews her motion we'll [1:24:45] be voting on Senate Bill 703 on third [1:24:48] and final consideration those members [1:24:50] favoring Senate Bill 703 vote I when the [1:24:53] bell rings those oppos to votee no let [1:24:55] every member cast their vote when the [1:24:58] bell rings is every member voted does [1:25:00] any member wish change their vote Mr [1:25:02] clerk take the [1:25:07] vote Senate Bill 703 having received a [1:25:11] constitution majority I declare it [1:25:13] passed without objection motion [1:25:15] reconsider is hereby table next bill Mr [1:25:18] clerk item 22 City Bill 718 by Senator [1:25:21] Taylor on third and final consideration [1:25:23] Senator Taylor you're Rec recognized on [1:25:25] Senate Bill [1:25:27] 718 thank you Mr Speaker I would move [1:25:29] for third and final consideration Senate [1:25:31] Bill 718 that's prop motion properly [1:25:34] seconded amendments Mr [1:25:37] clerk amendment number one Senate [1:25:39] Judiciary commit [1:25:41] Amendment chairman Gardenhire you [1:25:43] recognized on amendment number one thank [1:25:46] you Mr Speaker Amendment one requires a [1:25:48] juvenile court to use a dedicated [1:25:50] courtroom within the Detention Facility [1:25:53] for the delinquent [1:25:55] proceedings if one is available it also [1:25:57] clarifies that the bill only applies to [1:25:59] Shelby County with that I move amendment [1:26:02] number one for adoption and yield to the [1:26:04] sponsor for any additional questions [1:26:07] that's a prop motion proberly [1:26:09] seconded on the amendment Judiciary [1:26:13] number one all in favor say I oppose nay [1:26:18] you adopt amendment number one on the [1:26:20] bill as amended [1:26:22] discussion is there objection [1:26:25] Senator Kyle you're recognized thank you [1:26:28] Mr Speaker I'd like to put my comments [1:26:29] on the record I think um the sponsors [1:26:32] well aware um this particular situation [1:26:36] has been on the front page of our news [1:26:38] leading stories down there in Shelby [1:26:41] County for quite some time it was [1:26:44] between the sheriff and the juvenile [1:26:46] court [1:26:47] judge on transporting juveniles where to [1:26:51] hold the court or where Court can be be [1:26:54] held for these [1:26:55] juveniles I think that this bill would [1:26:58] tip the scales of justice and as long as [1:27:01] that lawsuit is going on I think that [1:27:04] this is premature to bring this bill [1:27:07] because I would hate for this body to be [1:27:09] accused of tipping the scales uh and a [1:27:13] ongoing piece of legislation I do not [1:27:16] want want to [1:27:19] uh infringe on what the sponsor wants to [1:27:22] do but I think we need to be aware that [1:27:25] this is presently in the [1:27:28] courts thank you thank you Senator Kyle [1:27:31] further discussion on the [1:27:34] bill I see none is there objection to [1:27:37] the question there is none we be voting [1:27:40] on Senate Bill 718 as amended on third [1:27:43] and final consideration those members [1:27:45] favoring Senate Bill [1:27:47] 718 vote I when the bell rings those [1:27:50] opposed vote no let every member cast [1:27:52] their vote when the bell rings is every [1:27:54] member voted does any member wish to [1:27:56] change change their vote Mr clerk take [1:27:59] the [1:28:04] vote Senate Bill 718 having received the [1:28:07] Constitutional majority I declared [1:28:09] passed without objection motion [1:28:11] reconsider is hereby [1:28:16] table speaker hail [1:28:40] these two bills are Senator Jagger so we [1:29:12] we're on Mr clerk next item item 23 sen [1:29:16] 745 747 by Senator [1:29:20] joer without objection to the heel [1:29:25] Mr clerk next item item 24 City Bill 749 [1:29:28] by Senator jger without objection to the [1:29:34] hill Mr Clark item 25 C Bill 790 by [1:29:38] Senator Bailey on third and final [1:29:39] consideration Mr speak the house bill is [1:29:41] on the desk Senator Bailey you [1:29:42] recognized on Senate Bill [1:29:44] [Music] [1:29:46] 790 thank you Mr Speaker I move to [1:29:49] conform and substitute to the house bill [1:29:51] that's a proper motion by Senator Bailey [1:29:54] conform and substitute Senate Bill 790 [1:29:57] to House Bill [1:29:59] 1095 Senator Bailey [1:30:01] moves House Bill 1095 on third and final [1:30:05] consideration Senator Bailey you're [1:30:07] recognized thank you thank you Mr [1:30:09] Speaker um members this bill has [1:30:11] Statewide application but primarily [1:30:14] affects two uh resort areas in my [1:30:18] district in Cumberland County being Lake [1:30:20] tany and Fairfield Glade there is a [1:30:24] between the local sheriff's department [1:30:26] as well as their uh police um private [1:30:30] police forces that they have that [1:30:32] protect those two communities this uh [1:30:35] legislation will allow them to be post [1:30:38] certified officers called special [1:30:40] deputies uh to be able to answer calls [1:30:43] for the county as well as act in an [1:30:46] official police um actions needed in the [1:30:51] community that's an explanation of the [1:30:53] bill you've heard an explanation of the [1:30:56] bill Mr clerk [1:30:59] amendments can be amendment is in the [1:31:01] house bill Senator Gardenhire you're [1:31:03] recognized thank you Mr Speaker I move [1:31:05] to withdraw without objection withdrawn [1:31:08] we're back on the [1:31:09] bill as [1:31:11] amended questions on the bill discussion [1:31:14] on the [1:31:16] bill seeing none you heard an [1:31:18] explanation are you ready to [1:31:21] vote Senator Bailey renews his motion on [1:31:24] House Bill 1095 Third and final [1:31:26] consideration all in favor vote I when [1:31:28] the bell rings those oppose vote [1:31:34] no is every member [1:31:39] voted Mr Clark eyes 31 no n House Bill [1:31:44] 1095 having having received [1:31:47] Constitutional Amendment it's declared [1:31:49] passed without objection motion Rec [1:31:51] consider goes stable Mr clerk next time [1:31:53] it item 26 Senate Bill 816 by Senator [1:31:57] low on third and final consideration [1:31:58] Senator low you're recognized on Senate [1:32:00] Bill 816 thank you Mr Speaker I move 816 [1:32:04] for final [1:32:05] consideration that's a proper motion [1:32:07] proper second on Senate Bill 816 Mr [1:32:10] clerk amendment number one Senate [1:32:12] Commerce and labor committee Amendment [1:32:13] Senator Bailey you're recognized thank [1:32:15] you Mr Speaker Amendment one makes it a [1:32:17] violation of the consumer protection act [1:32:20] of [1:32:20] 1977 to falsely imply to a consumer that [1:32:24] they are involved in a civil lawsuit or [1:32:27] criminal prosecution in order to [1:32:29] pressure them into paying for related [1:32:31] Services cost fines penalties or other [1:32:33] fees I move passage and will defer to [1:32:36] the sponsor for further explanation [1:32:38] you've heard an explanation of chairman [1:32:41] any questions on the [1:32:43] amendment seeing none are you ready to [1:32:45] vote all in favor say I oppose no we [1:32:50] adopt back on the bill as amended sen L [1:32:53] you recognize C Bill 816 thank you Mr [1:32:56] Speaker as many of you may know the [1:32:58] fraud industry is an increasing industry [1:33:01] every year it moved from 23 to 24 from a [1:33:04] 1010 billion industry to a 12. half [1:33:06] billion doll industry uh this has been [1:33:08] exacerbated with tools that are [1:33:10] technologically based like um artificial [1:33:13] intelligence the availability of texting [1:33:15] texting in our Consumer Protection Law [1:33:18] there currently is not a statute that [1:33:20] addresses those who fraudulently claim [1:33:23] people are subject to parties to a an [1:33:26] existing lawsuit or a criminal [1:33:28] prosecution and this would simply add [1:33:30] that to the consumer protections act act [1:33:32] and I stand for any available questions [1:33:35] you've heard an explanation of the [1:33:37] Senate Bill 816 by Senator low as [1:33:40] amended any [1:33:44] questions seeing none Senator low renews [1:33:47] his motion on Senate Bill 816 all in [1:33:49] favor vote I when the bell rings all [1:33:51] those opposed vote no [1:33:54] is every member voted is any member wish [1:33:56] to change their vote Mr [1:33:59] clar eyes 32 no n sen Bill 816 having [1:34:04] received Constitution majorities [1:34:06] declared passed without objection motion [1:34:08] R consider goes table next item Mr [1:34:11] Clark item 27 Senate Bill 849 by Senator [1:34:15] Lamar on third and final consideration [1:34:17] Senator Lamar you recognized on Senate [1:34:18] Bill [1:34:20] 849 thank you Mr Speaker I would like to [1:34:22] move Senate Bill 84 49 on third and [1:34:24] final consideration that's a proper [1:34:27] motion proper [1:34:29] second cator Lamar would you like to [1:34:31] describe Senate Bill 849 do we have an [1:34:34] amendment Mr clerk have amendment number [1:34:36] one Senate Health and Welfare committee [1:34:38] Amendment chairman Crow you're [1:34:39] recognized thank you Mr Speaker this [1:34:41] amendment does rewrite the bill it [1:34:43] requires Department of Health to [1:34:44] collaborate with an organization to [1:34:47] create or identify a continuing [1:34:49] education program for the purpose of [1:34:51] providing Health Care Professionals [1:34:53] under the board of medical examiners or [1:34:55] Board of osteopathic examination and the [1:34:57] board of uh examiners in Psychology to [1:35:01] uh information or training relative to [1:35:04] maternal mental health requires each [1:35:07] board to accept such courses as credit [1:35:09] toward continuing education if [1:35:11] successfully completed requires each [1:35:14] board to periodically update any [1:35:16] curriculum developed for maternal mental [1:35:18] health to account for new research move [1:35:20] to adopt without [1:35:23] you you've heard an explanation of [1:35:26] Health amendment number one any [1:35:29] discussion is proper motion proper [1:35:30] second on Amendment any discussion on [1:35:32] the [1:35:33] amendment Senator Briggs you're [1:35:35] recognized uh does the sponsor yield [1:35:38] sponsor of the amendment or of the [1:35:41] bill well I think I'll better direct it [1:35:43] to the bill sponsor to the bill sponsor [1:35:46] since the amendment makes the bill she [1:35:48] she yields you're recognized Senator BR [1:35:50] the question I had is the it mentioned [1:35:54] the boards that will be form formulating [1:35:57] this course now these are national [1:35:59] boards other than the Tennessee Board of [1:36:01] medical examiners and uh I guess my [1:36:05] question is what Authority do we in the [1:36:08] Tennessee legislature have to dictate [1:36:10] what a national board uh what a national [1:36:13] board does CH Lamar you're recognized [1:36:17] thank you Mr Speaker what this bill does [1:36:19] is the Department of Health already has [1:36:21] a course on maternal mental health there [1:36:23] will offer this course and give it to [1:36:26] them so that if you are one of the [1:36:28] professionals listic it's one of the [1:36:30] courses you can choose from for your [1:36:33] continuing education credit so it's not [1:36:35] mandating it's just adding to the list [1:36:37] of courses you could choose from for [1:36:39] your CTE credits Senator Briggs you [1:36:42] recognized uh does the sponsor yield [1:36:43] again sponsor yields uh okay so this is [1:36:47] not going to be mandatory presently [1:36:50] every physician has to do two hours [1:36:54] of [1:36:55] CMEs on opiate issues because of the [1:36:59] opiate crisis we've had that's mandatory [1:37:01] for your license this is not a mandatory [1:37:04] course for all [1:37:05] Physicians okay good thank you very [1:37:08] much uh no sir it's not mandatory it's [1:37:11] just if you want to take it you can take [1:37:13] it any additional question Senator [1:37:15] Tinley you're [1:37:17] recognized thank you Mr Speaker no [1:37:19] question just a comment I just think we [1:37:21] should leave it up to the various board [1:37:23] boards to determine what type CME they [1:37:26] feel like their various uh members need [1:37:29] to take and not be telling them from the [1:37:32] general assembly what to do thank you Mr [1:37:34] speaker thank you Senator Hensley we're [1:37:36] on the bill as amended any additional [1:37:39] questions or comments on the [1:37:41] bill sen Lamar would you like to close [1:37:45] we're on the amendment excuse me all in [1:37:48] favor of the amendment say I oppose no [1:37:52] we adopt we back on the bill as amended [1:37:54] you've heard an explanation of the bill [1:37:57] as amended [1:38:00] questions I see none Senator Lamar would [1:38:03] you like to renew your motion or would [1:38:04] you like to close uh just want to [1:38:06] reiterate make sure I answered uh [1:38:08] Senator Bri's question is optional I [1:38:10] would like to renew my motion and ask [1:38:11] for a favorable [1:38:13] vote all in favor we vote I when the [1:38:17] bell rings all opposed vote no [1:38:24] Mr clerk i 27 no n s Bill 849 having [1:38:29] received constitute majority is clared [1:38:32] pass motion reconsidered goes to [1:38:36] table Mr clerk next item item 28 Senate [1:38:40] Bill 1140 by Senator Crow on third and [1:38:42] final consideration Senator Crow you're [1:38:44] recognized on Senate Bill [1:38:46] 1140 thank you Mr Speaker do we have [1:38:49] amendments we do Senator crow move [1:38:51] Senate Bill 1140 on Third and Fin [1:38:53] consideration proper motion proper [1:38:55] second Mr clerk Amendment amendment [1:38:57] number one Senate energy Agricultural [1:38:58] and natural resources committee [1:38:59] Amendment chairman Reeves you're [1:39:01] recognized thank you Mr Speaker [1:39:03] amendment number one rewrites the bill [1:39:05] to authorize the executive director of [1:39:07] The Fish and Wildlife Commission or the [1:39:09] executive director's design to issue [1:39:12] temporary group hunting event permits [1:39:14] for not for-profit organizations that [1:39:17] sponsor and pay for a hunting event [1:39:19] experience at no cost to a veteran with [1:39:21] any percentage service connected ability [1:39:24] and with that Mr Speaker I move adoption [1:39:27] of amendment number one and yield of the [1:39:28] sponsor for additional information [1:39:30] Senator re R moves energy amendment [1:39:33] number one prop per motion second [1:39:36] discussion on the [1:39:39] amendment I see none you ready to vote [1:39:42] all in favor say I oppos no we adopt [1:39:46] we're back on the amendment Senate Bill [1:39:49] 1140 is amended questions on the bill [1:39:53] for the [1:39:56] sponsor I see none Senator Crow renews [1:39:59] his motion on Senate Bill 1140 all in [1:40:02] favor vote I when the bell rings those [1:40:04] supposed to vote no Mr [1:40:09] Clark Mr clerk take the vote eyes 30 no [1:40:13] a Senate Bill 11:40 having received a [1:40:16] constitutional amendment is declared [1:40:18] passed that objection Mo reconsider [1:40:22] stable Senator Bolan you're [1:40:28] recognized Senator Bolan recorded as [1:40:33] I Mr clerk next item Mr Speaker of the [1:40:36] Senate's on item number 29 Senate Bill [1:40:38] 734 by Senator pod Senator pod you [1:40:41] recognize on Senate Bill [1:40:43] 734 thank you Mr Speaker what Senate [1:40:45] Bill 734 does this is a local issue [1:40:48] concerning only davidon County there's [1:40:50] been a tax on uh some of our hotel [1:40:54] motels and this is going to extend it [1:40:56] for another six years with that our [1:40:58] renew Senate Bill 734 and third and [1:41:00] final [1:41:01] consideration sen toot move Senate Bill [1:41:04] 734 on third and final consideration [1:41:06] proper motion with proper second you've [1:41:08] heard an explanation of the bill [1:41:10] question on the [1:41:13] bill I see none are you ready to vote [1:41:17] sir toot you're recognized sir toot [1:41:20] renews this motion all in favor vote I [1:41:22] when the bell rings suppos vote [1:41:25] no is every member voted any member wish [1:41:28] to change their [1:41:29] vote Mr clerk take the [1:41:39] vote I 31 no [1:41:42] n for having received Constitution [1:41:45] majority declared pass that objection [1:41:48] motion to Recons goes [1:41:49] table next item Mr Clark [1:42:09] speaker on item number 30 cill 1031 by [1:42:12] Senator Bley on third and final [1:42:13] consideration speaker the house bill is [1:42:15] on the desk Senator bowan you're [1:42:17] recognized on Senate Bill [1:42:20] 1031 thank you Mr chairman uh [1:42:23] um this is a little bit different [1:42:25] because we had uh passed Amendment one [1:42:28] and two accepted those and now the house [1:42:32] has passed the bill they had combined [1:42:34] amendments one and two so we I would [1:42:38] like to conform and substitute to the [1:42:41] house bill [1:42:43] 1157 as identical to our bill with a [1:42:46] combination of the two [1:42:48] amendments Senator Boling uh makes a [1:42:51] motion on Senate bill 1031 to conform [1:42:54] substitute House Bill 1157 that's proper [1:42:57] motion proper second Senator Bolan moves [1:43:00] House Bill 1157 on third and final [1:43:03] consideration amendments Mr clerk [1:43:06] speaker amendments number one and number [1:43:07] two are previously adopted on Senate [1:43:09] Bill 1031 [1:43:13] on speaker those amendments are [1:43:15] identical to house amendment number one [1:43:20] and our law will be performed a [1:43:22] substitute to the house bill [1:43:26] Bill [1:43:28] okay speaker MCN you recognized could we [1:43:32] move to reconsider our action and [1:43:34] adopting both those amendments and in [1:43:37] effect take them off I'll yield to [1:43:40] Senator Watson Senator Watson you're [1:43:43] recognized thank you Mr we could um by [1:43:47] conforming and substituting to the house [1:43:49] bill it essentially strips out the two [1:43:52] amendments that we had formally uh [1:43:55] adopted and so the clerk assures me that [1:43:58] by conforming and substituting we're in [1:44:01] wear in a good a good parliamentary [1:44:06] posture any additional clarification on [1:44:10] that okay Senator bowling would you like [1:44:13] to explain spill 1157 [1:44:18] as adopted from the house thank you m [1:44:22] chair this bill is the one that we [1:44:24] discussed last week and we had a couple [1:44:26] of questions on it but it is restoring [1:44:29] trust and public health messaging and uh [1:44:32] it was our amendment made the bill and [1:44:34] that amendment is included in the house [1:44:36] bill so I do ask that we now conform it [1:44:39] substitute I appreciate your vote [1:44:41] Senator Bolan renews her motion on House [1:44:44] Bill 1157 any additional [1:44:47] questions for the sponsor seeing none [1:44:50] all in favor vote I when the bell rings [1:44:52] those suppos vote no Mr [1:44:59] Clark sever member voted any member wish [1:45:02] to change their [1:45:04] vote Mr clerk take the vote i 26 six n [1:45:08] House Bill 1157 hav't received [1:45:10] constitutional amendment constitutional [1:45:14] vote is declared passed without [1:45:16] objection motion reconsiders here by [1:45:20] table Mr clerk speaker we're back on [1:45:23] item number three excuse me 23 Senate [1:45:25] Bill 747 by Senator joer on third final [1:45:27] consideration Senator Jer you're [1:45:29] recognized on Senate Bill 747 thank you [1:45:32] Mr Speaker I move Senate Bill 747 on [1:45:36] third and final consideration for the [1:45:38] purpose of bringing up an amendment to [1:45:40] The [1:45:40] Bill thank you Mr chairman uh that's [1:45:44] proper motion on Senate Bill 747 proper [1:45:47] second Mr Clark [1:45:49] amendments amendment number one Senate [1:45:51] Health and Welfare committee Amendment [1:45:56] is it in the house [1:45:59] bill okay on the sen [1:46:11] Bill let's see Mr Speaker it does [1:46:13] rewrite the bill extends the ground [1:46:15] ambulance service provider Assessment [1:46:17] Act of June to June [1:46:20] 3026 extends from 30 business days to 45 [1:46:23] calendar days the time period in which [1:46:25] an ambulance provider must pay an [1:46:27] assessment to the division of ten care [1:46:30] requires the office of emergency [1:46:31] services to provide the commissioner of [1:46:34] the Department of Health and with full [1:46:36] access to ambulance run reports [1:46:38] maintained by the office it also [1:46:41] authorizes the commissioner to provide [1:46:43] the division with ambulance run report [1:46:46] data and additional requested data as [1:46:49] needed to ensure the assessment program [1:46:51] remains in compliance with state and [1:46:53] federal [1:46:55] laws uh fiscal impact remains unchanged [1:46:58] so with that Mr Speaker I would uh move [1:47:01] we adopt amendment number one please sir [1:47:05] Senator Crow moves Health amendment [1:47:07] number one proper motion proper second [1:47:10] you've heard an explanation of the [1:47:11] amendment any discussion on the [1:47:15] amendment seeing none are you ready to [1:47:18] vote all in favor say I oppos no the [1:47:21] eyes car we ad ADT we're back on the [1:47:24] bill as amended Senator joer you're [1:47:26] recognized thank you Mr Speaker the [1:47:29] ground ambulance assessment uh bill is [1:47:32] merely an extension of the current [1:47:34] assessment which has been in place by [1:47:36] the legislature since 2018 the uh CMS [1:47:40] requires now that we approve it annually [1:47:42] and that is why we are here today [1:47:44] discussing this bill this bill will uh [1:47:48] allow assessment of our ambulance [1:47:50] services throughout the state that money [1:47:52] is used to leverage federal dollars it [1:47:55] brings back money to our ambulance [1:47:57] services on a rate of $2 to one uh I [1:48:01] move the bill I respectfully renew my [1:48:04] motion Mr Speaker Senator jger renews [1:48:07] his motion on Cate Bill 747 this proper [1:48:10] motion explanation of the bill any [1:48:14] discussion are you ready to vote all in [1:48:17] favor vote I when the bell rings all [1:48:19] those oppos votee no [1:48:23] SE vot [1:48:27] i m [1:48:28] clerk uh it's 32 no names Senate Bill [1:48:33] 747 Haven received [1:48:35] Constitution [1:48:37] um constitutional vote is approved [1:48:42] motion reconsider goes table kind of [1:48:45] lost my thought there a little bit you [1:48:47] get in a rhythm and if you lose the [1:48:49] Rhythm you just stay out of place so so [1:48:52] okay let's move forward here [1:48:57] um Senator low we're going to come back [1:48:59] to you in just a [1:49:01] moment next item M item 24 Senate Bill [1:49:04] 749 by Senator Jagger on third and final [1:49:07] consideration speaking of house bills on [1:49:08] the desk Senator Jagger You're [1:49:10] recognized on Senate Bill 749 thank you [1:49:13] Mr Speaker I will move to conform to the [1:49:15] house bill that's a proper motion [1:49:18] Senator Jagger [1:49:20] moves to conform Senate bill 747 to [1:49:23] House Bill [1:49:25] 908 Senator jger moves House Bill 708 on [1:49:30] third and final consideration proper [1:49:32] motion proper second Senator Jer you're [1:49:35] recognized on House Bill 9008 thank you [1:49:38] uh Mr Speaker this bill has brought to [1:49:41] Me by The Mortgage Bankers of Tennessee [1:49:44] it is a bill that applies only to non- [1:49:46] depository Banks Banks that's Bankers [1:49:50] that specialize in in the second [1:49:52] mortgage if you please what there are [1:49:54] different there are multiple indexes [1:49:57] speaker that govern the interest rate on [1:50:01] SE uh second mortgages or what we would [1:50:04] refer to in the statute as subordinate [1:50:07] Mor mortgages as well uh one of the [1:50:10] indexes uh this bill will change one of [1:50:13] those indexes uh and replace the 30-year [1:50:17] treasury yeld with a more uh modern uh [1:50:21] index the average prime rate offer [1:50:24] excuse me average Prime offer rate uh [1:50:28] this bill was done in uh with assistance [1:50:31] from the the [1:50:35] the the commissioner of financial excuse [1:50:38] me the commissioner of financial [1:50:40] institutions all but I must say even [1:50:43] though they have helped us with the [1:50:44] language in the bill they are deferred [1:50:46] on the bill uh what this bill does by [1:50:49] conforming to a more uh modern uh index [1:50:53] it expands the opportunity for folks to [1:50:57] uh have an uh uh a chance to have [1:51:02] perhaps have a subordinate loan a a home [1:51:05] equity loan for example which is [1:51:07] becoming popular among senior citizens [1:51:10] uh and it uh uh it it is restricted in [1:51:13] that it would have to it applies only to [1:51:17] mortgages that are in excess of 15 years [1:51:21] uh and I would I think it is really good [1:51:25] uh for the economy that that we make [1:51:27] this change and and expand this [1:51:30] opportunity to uh many of our [1:51:36] tennesseans thank you Mr chairman cator [1:51:40] yarboro you're recognized uh thank you [1:51:42] Mr Speaker if sponsor will yield sponsor [1:51:45] yields uh thank you uh the sponsor Mr [1:51:48] Speaker referenced to Second mortgages [1:51:50] and subordinate loans but as [1:51:53] as I read the statute this would it [1:51:56] applies to any home loan which means any [1:51:59] any loan that's secured by real estate [1:52:02] owned and [1:52:03] occupied for residential purposes that's [1:52:06] you know over 15 so typically it's the [1:52:08] 15 and 30-year mortgage uh is is is that [1:52:14] correct Senator Jager you're right thank [1:52:16] you the bill says I'm looking at Section [1:52:19] 1 a which what you may be referencing it [1:52:22] reference is home loans in the uh at [1:52:25] that in that paragraph there and it was [1:52:27] my reference to the home equity type [1:52:30] loans Senator [1:52:32] Ybor uh thank you Mr Speaker and [1:52:38] does so I looked the so the commissioner [1:52:42] of financial institutions publishes I [1:52:44] think every week pursuing to this [1:52:47] statute what the the maximum mortgage [1:52:51] rate [1:52:53] that Tennessee you know people that [1:52:55] issuing mortgages in Tennessee can issue [1:52:58] right now that's set at [1:53:02] 88.5% the one that we would be [1:53:06] adopting which is the what is the rate [1:53:09] that we use for all other for other [1:53:11] loans and it's also published on the [1:53:14] site and that's [1:53:15] 11.5% [1:53:18] today uh and I am I I am I'm at least [1:53:23] hesitant Mr Speaker to uh to do [1:53:27] something that opens door for mortgage [1:53:31] rates in the state to be three [1:53:33] percentage points higher than what they [1:53:35] are currently so when you think about [1:53:38] three three points on a 30 or 15 or 30-y [1:53:41] year mortgage that's that's that's real [1:53:44] money Mr Speaker that is uh that's the [1:53:47] difference between people being able to [1:53:48] afford houses and not and uh we are are [1:53:52] cautious about doing things that affect [1:53:55] cost here people's homeowners cost and I [1:53:58] am I'm at least worried that that we are [1:54:02] we are opening the door to to a rate [1:54:04] that doesn't actually reflect the needs [1:54:07] here uh the the current rate as it's [1:54:11] set is I mean the more the current [1:54:14] market rate in Tennesse for what you can [1:54:18] get with good credit is under [1:54:20] 7% the one that but the maximum is about [1:54:24] two points higher so there's still room [1:54:26] for the market to have higher rates for [1:54:28] people with less good [1:54:31] credit but the difference between having [1:54:34] a maximum set at 8.5 and a maximum set [1:54:37] at [1:54:38] 11.5 is a big difference and I I'm I'm [1:54:43] hesitant to do that today Mr Speaker and [1:54:45] want to at least Express that caution to [1:54:47] the body that we should be careful [1:54:49] before doing something that that could [1:54:51] lead to people paying higher mortgage [1:54:54] cost thank you Senator yor Senator [1:54:56] Oliver you're recognized thank you Mr [1:54:59] Speaker and um I want to Echo my [1:55:01] colleagues sentiments and points that [1:55:04] were raised um regarding interest rates [1:55:07] in Tennessee um I I find it very [1:55:11] concerning even though we may phrase [1:55:13] this bill as a cleanup bill in the [1:55:15] statute but in reality what this bill [1:55:18] could do is have really unintended [1:55:20] consequences in lifting up up um and [1:55:23] raising the interest rates for people [1:55:26] who already feel particularly folks in [1:55:28] my district and Davidson County you [1:55:31] already feel that home ownership is Out [1:55:32] Of Reach um because of the rising cost [1:55:36] of housing right now and so it this puts [1:55:41] a significant burden where these where [1:55:44] these interest rates to go up to double [1:55:46] digits it puts a significant burden on [1:55:49] families trying to purchase a home in [1:55:51] Tennessee [1:55:53] so I just want to raise that concern [1:55:56] that for large counties in Tennessee uh [1:55:59] housing is a true problem affordability [1:56:02] is a problem and this could lead to [1:56:05] really unintended consequences to have [1:56:07] mortgage rates in double digits up to [1:56:10] 11.5% we haven't seen those rates in 30 [1:56:13] years in this state since 1994 so uh I [1:56:17] just want to raise that caution and that [1:56:19] and I don't think I can support this [1:56:21] Bill thank you Mr speak thank you [1:56:22] Senator [1:56:23] Oliver any Senator joerger you [1:56:26] recognized thank you Mr Speaker I [1:56:28] appreciate the input from my colleagues [1:56:33] in the Senate and I would be hastened to [1:56:35] add that the market does fluctuate I [1:56:38] would not expect the rate to be that [1:56:39] high at tall for example we put our file [1:56:42] together just a few days ago the rate [1:56:43] was [1:56:45] 7.5% it fluctuates daily and the we are [1:56:49] only and the rate is affected by uh [1:56:52] multiple indices and we are changing one [1:56:55] of those indices to make it more current [1:56:57] which on the recommendation of the [1:56:59] mortgage banking industry uh and to I I [1:57:03] think to suggest the astronomical [1:57:06] increase that my colleagues have [1:57:08] suggested is uh [1:57:12] U uh I I I don't think that comports [1:57:16] with the facts that as I know them and [1:57:18] which I have presented to this body uh I [1:57:21] what I do know is that this will make [1:57:23] this of subordinate loans more available [1:57:28] to people in Tennessee for things like a [1:57:31] a second mortgage on the house uh for [1:57:33] home equity a home equity loan okay [1:57:37] Senator Lamar you're [1:57:41] recognized thank you Mrs speaker will [1:57:44] the sponsor yield sponsor yields my [1:57:47] question to the sponsor is currently [1:57:49] what's the prime rate now and if your [1:57:51] bill passes with the 4% increase what [1:57:55] will it then shoot the prime rate up to [1:57:59] be chairman Jagger You're recognized uh [1:58:02] I it was uh 7 point it was 7.5 when we [1:58:06] prepared the file but that was March [1:58:08] 11th and we're checking now to find the [1:58:10] answer for the the [1:58:13] senator today's [1:58:19] rate Catal Lamar you're recognized asked [1:58:22] thank you according to the Department of [1:58:24] financial institutions it is [1:58:27] 8.5% of the [1:58:29] annual if I'm not mistaken with his [1:58:32] legislation it will be a fourpoint jump [1:58:35] from increase from [1:58:40] 8.56 that's a lot of money and when we [1:58:43] thinking [1:58:44] about folks who are trying to buy homes [1:58:48] a four point increase in that rate will [1:58:52] make it unaffordable for people to buy [1:58:55] homes currently so my suggestion is that [1:59:00] we don't do this we want to encourage [1:59:02] home ownership in Tennessee and this [1:59:05] bill will make it harder for people to [1:59:07] afford to buy homes thank you thank you [1:59:10] Senator Lamar any additional questions [1:59:14] discussion for this [1:59:17] chair chairman joerger you're [1:59:20] recognized s senator [1:59:24] Roberts thank you Mr Speaker if the [1:59:26] sponsor would yield for a question [1:59:27] please sponsor yields I may have missed [1:59:31] this and you may have given an answer to [1:59:32] it before but but if we're replacing the [1:59:35] 30-year treasury [1:59:37] yield uh as the index that we're using [1:59:40] and replacing it with a 30e average [1:59:43] Prime offer rate um which one of those [1:59:47] today is higher than the other and by [1:59:51] how much [1:59:53] chairman Jer [1:59:56] I the average Prime offer rate is I [2:00:00] don't believe that I said that it was at [2:00:02] 30 uh uh was at the same rate that the [2:00:07] uh current 30-year treasury yield would [2:00:10] be uh the the lower of the two they [2:00:12] would be close but the lower of the two [2:00:14] would be the current rate the average [2:00:16] prime rate Senator Roberts you [2:00:20] recognized thank you Mr speaker I'm uh [2:00:23] what I'm trying to do is I'm trying to [2:00:25] understand because when you look at the [2:00:26] bill [2:00:27] itself and you look at the redline [2:00:29] version of the bill it says the maximum [2:00:32] effective rate of interest perom is set [2:00:35] an amount equal and it crosses out two [2:00:38] percentage points and replaces it with [2:00:40] four percentage [2:00:42] points and then it also changes the [2:00:46] basis that those points are added to so [2:00:48] in other words we go [2:00:50] from having [2:00:52] the [2:00:53] 30-year treasury yield plus [2:00:56] two to the 30e average Prime offer rate [2:01:00] plus four and I'm just trying to [2:01:03] understand what the difference is [2:01:04] between those two because that you know [2:01:08] that's obviously going to be a [2:01:10] significant amount of money to somebody [2:01:13] so I'm just trying to understand what [2:01:15] this Baseline is and how it how how it's [2:01:19] different Senator Watson your Rec [2:01:23] recognized thank you Mr Speaker members [2:01:27] um this has become confusing to members [2:01:30] and if the sponsor would uh so that we [2:01:32] can get a a little bit more time to [2:01:35] understand exactly what's happening here [2:01:36] if the sponsor would roll this to [2:01:40] Thursday cator Jagger you're happy to do [2:01:42] that because we want to make sure [2:01:44] everybody has a clear understanding the [2:01:45] bill so I'm very happy to do that that [2:01:48] objection Thursday next [2:01:52] Senator low you're [2:01:54] recognized thank you Mr Speaker uh can I [2:01:57] be recognized out of [2:01:59] order that objection you're recognized [2:02:02] Mr Speaker uh Senate Bill 318 was [2:02:04] introduced and enacted the Tennessee [2:02:06] genomic security and IND Orting [2:02:08] harvesting act and organ harvesting act [2:02:11] uh Mr Speaker this bill was both on the [2:02:13] Senate and the house house calendar on [2:02:14] Monday the house transmitted a message [2:02:17] with the wrong house bill number after [2:02:19] it passed as a result the Senate did not [2:02:21] have the opport Unity to conform and [2:02:23] substitute to that house bill therefore [2:02:26] uh the Senate needs to cure this error [2:02:28] by reconsidering the passage of the bill [2:02:30] and pass the house version so Mr Speaker [2:02:32] I move we lift the T from the table the [2:02:34] motion to reconsider Senate Bill 318 sen [2:02:38] Senator low moves to LIF from the table [2:02:41] uh motion is to [2:02:43] reconsider all those in favor say I [2:02:46] oppose no the motion prevails Senator [2:02:50] low you're recognized Mr Speaker speaker [2:02:52] I move we reconsider Senate Bill 318 [2:02:54] Senator low moves to reconsider Senate [2:02:56] Bill 318 all those in favor say I I [2:03:00] oppos no the motion [2:03:03] prevails Senator L you're recognized [2:03:06] thank you Mr Speaker I move we conform [2:03:08] and substitute House Bill [2:03:11] 395 Senator L moves to conform [2:03:13] substitute House Bill 395 all those in [2:03:16] that's a proper motion proper second all [2:03:18] those in favor say I I oppose no the [2:03:21] motion [2:03:24] prevails Senator loow thank you Mr [2:03:26] Speaker I move passage of House Bill 395 [2:03:29] for third and final consideration that's [2:03:31] a proper motion proper [2:03:34] second seeing no discuss Senator Watson [2:03:37] you're [2:03:38] recognized thank you just for memory [2:03:40] purposes can the gentleman just remind [2:03:42] us I know this bill has already passed [2:03:44] this body but just remind us exactly [2:03:45] what we were passing Senator low you're [2:03:48] recognized thank you Mr Speaker uh the [2:03:50] house version that we're passing is [2:03:52] pretty much follows along with the [2:03:53] Senate version we already passed it is [2:03:55] the bill that prevents foreign [2:03:58] adversaries or prevents uh medical [2:04:01] institutions in the state of Tennessee [2:04:02] from rendering DNA to foreign [2:04:04] adversaries for genome mapping or org [2:04:06] organ harvesting you've heard an [2:04:09] explanation of the bill any additional [2:04:12] questions concerning that we are on [2:04:14] House Bill 395 Senator low renews his [2:04:17] motion all in favor vote I when the bell [2:04:19] rings those oppos vote no is every [2:04:22] member voted is any member wish to [2:04:24] change their [2:04:28] vote Mr [2:04:30] clerk i 27 no NES House Bill 395 had [2:04:34] received Constitution majority Clarity [2:04:37] pass without objection motion reconsider [2:04:39] goes to [2:04:40] table Senator Hensley you're [2:04:45] recognized thank you Mr Speaker I move [2:04:47] to suspend the rules for the immediate [2:04:50] introduction and consideration of hjr [2:04:54] 376 this is a resolution to honor and [2:04:57] congratulate the 2025 mu day quain Kobe [2:05:02] Fritz you've Senator Henley moves to [2:05:06] suspend the [2:05:08] rules for the mediate consideration hjr [2:05:11] 376 all those in favor say I oppose no [2:05:15] the eyes carry the rules are suspended [2:05:17] Senator Hensley moves hjr 376 you've [2:05:21] heard an explan of [2:05:23] that all in [2:05:26] favor say [2:05:28] I oppos no eyes Carri we [2:05:33] adopt Mr clerk reports from committees [2:05:38] reports from chairman Watson you're [2:05:43] recognized thank you Mr Speaker members [2:05:45] if it please the Senate I need to [2:05:47] suspend the rule [2:05:49] 838 to add the Tennessee Arts commission [2:05:52] budget hearing that was inadvertently [2:05:54] left off the finance Ways and Means [2:05:56] Committee scheduled for tomorrow so uh [2:05:58] move suspension of rule [2:06:01] 838 chairman Watson moves to suspend the [2:06:05] rule [2:06:07] 838 to allow the Tennessee Arts [2:06:09] commission be added to finance Ways and [2:06:11] Means agenda for [2:06:14] Tuesday that objection all in favor say [2:06:18] I oppose no the eyes Carri we adopt [2:06:22] Senator Watson you're recognized thank [2:06:25] you Mr uh speaker I yield to Chairman [2:06:28] Hensley uh for an explanation on the uh [2:06:31] Revenue subcommittee chairman hinley [2:06:33] you're [2:06:34] recognized thank you Mr Speaker just [2:06:36] remind members that the revenue [2:06:39] subcommittee will meet tomorrow for its [2:06:41] final meeting of the Year immediately [2:06:44] following full finance committee please [2:06:47] note that any bills which the sponsor [2:06:49] does not show to present in committee or [2:06:52] any unamended caption bills will be [2:06:55] referred out to full Finance with a [2:06:58] negative recommendation thank you Mr [2:07:00] speaker thank you chairman Hensley [2:07:01] chairman Stevens you're [2:07:04] recognized thank you Mr Speaker reminder [2:07:07] members that the deadline for filing [2:07:09] appropriation amendments is 2 pm on [2:07:11] Thursday March [2:07:13] 27th please file your amendments with [2:07:16] John cerr in the finance Ways and Means [2:07:19] office on this St Patrick R's day some [2:07:22] of you may be thinking that you're going [2:07:24] to have the Luck of the [2:07:26] Irish but the value of a fourleaf clover [2:07:29] ain't what it used to [2:07:32] be we're on reports from [2:07:39] committees Senator Crow chairman Crow [2:07:42] you're recognized [2:07:54] thank you Mr Speaker I do want to remind [2:07:57] everyone that the last day to put bills [2:07:58] on notice for the year in the Senate [2:08:00] Health and Welfare committee will be [2:08:02] Wednesday March 19th by 2 pm March 19th [2:08:05] 2 pm thank [2:08:08] you we're on reports from [2:08:11] committees any additional reports I see [2:08:14] none Mr clerk next item statements and [2:08:16] announcements statements and [2:08:18] announcements ler Johnson you're [2:08:20] recognized thank you Mr Speaker members [2:08:22] I have a praise report to share with you [2:08:25] our dear friend and chief [2:08:26] sergeant-at-arms Ronnie towns wanted to [2:08:29] extend his gratitude and his thanks for [2:08:31] your prayers your texts your calls your [2:08:33] good wishes uh Ronnie underwent surgery [2:08:36] on Thursday uh he is resting comfortably [2:08:38] he'll be in the hospital for a little [2:08:40] while longer but he looks forward to [2:08:41] getting back here with us as soon as he [2:08:43] possibly can so please continue to keep [2:08:45] him in your thoughts and prayers thank [2:08:47] you Mr speaker thank you Mr leader [2:08:49] chairman mcy you recognized thank you Mr [2:08:52] Speaker I've got two announcements um [2:08:55] tomorrow the capital commission will be [2:08:57] hosting their breakfast and books um [2:09:00] from 7:30 to 8:30 and 8C they will have [2:09:03] a complimentary emboss study B Bible [2:09:07] with your name and your district and the [2:09:09] state seal on there for you to pick up [2:09:12] along with um some breakfast and then on [2:09:16] Thursday um I'm pleased to announce [2:09:19] habitat will be having their leg [2:09:21] islative reception across the hall [2:09:23] beginning at [2:09:25] 8:15 and uh as a member of the state [2:09:29] board I would like to invite everyone to [2:09:31] go across the hall before they come in [2:09:33] here uh to um to see their local [2:09:37] affiliates and to thank habitat for all [2:09:40] they do Statewide thank you Mr speaker [2:09:42] thank you chairman Mass M [2:09:44] Clark speaker we have notice from the [2:09:46] house Cate Bill 715 by Senator Taylor [2:09:48] has been returned from the house amended [2:09:50] and Cate Bill 7 4 by Senator Massie has [2:09:53] been returned from the house [2:09:54] amended thank [2:09:56] you we're on statements and [2:09:58] announcements any additional ones I see [2:10:02] none Senator Johnson you're recognized [2:10:05] forment motion thank you Mr Speaker [2:10:07] members if there's nothing further for [2:10:09] the good of the order I move the Senate [2:10:11] stand in adjournment until 8:30 a.m. [2:10:13] Thursday next all those in favor is any [2:10:16] AD journey to 8:30 a.m. Thursday next [2:10:18] say I all those opposed say no Sen is [2:10:21] returned to 8:30 a.m. Thursday [2:10:28] next yes