Legislative Update for the Week of April 12

In addition to the health care and free enterprise legislation going before the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday, there are several other important bills that need our support this week.

The issuance of a state attorney general opinion that leaves out the most important part of the Constitution’s supremacy clause and then proceeds to completely misconstrue the remainder has rightfully prompted a backlash among our state legislators in Nashville (read the  Attorney General’s opinion here and the Tenth Amendment Center’s official response here).  On Monday, two resolutions will go before the full Senate to deal with Attorney General Cooper’s refusal to join other states in a lawsuit against the federal government’s overreaching health care legislation.  The first, SJR897, is a resolution to urge the attorney general to join the lawsuit being championed by other states against ObamaCare.

The second resolution would amend the Tennessee Constitution to provide for the popular election of the attorney general.  Currently the attorney general is appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court, whose members are in turn appointed by the governor.  This leaves the citizens of Tennessee with neither a direct or indirect voice in the selection of the state’s attorney general.  SJR698 would correct this problem.

The first of the health care bills for which we have been advocating will go before the full house on Monday as well.  HJR704 is a resolution that expresses the state of Tennessee’s protest at the passage of the new federal health care legislation.

Additional legislation includes bills regarding foreign defamation judgments, restricting the governor’s authority to confiscate firearms and related items, cap and trade, and two bills that would increase private health insurance opportunities for Tennesseans.

Please contact your legislators and the committee members below to encourage them to support the legislation below.  Remember to be courteous in your interactions with the legislators.

Monday, April 12

SJR897 by Ramsey
Urges Attorney General and Reporter Bob Cooper to join other states in contesting the implementation of any unconstitutional provisions of the federal health care legislation.
Full Senate – April 12

SJR698 by Beavers
A resolution to propose an amendment to Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, to provide for the popular election of the Attorney General and Reporter for the State.
Full Senate – April 12

HJR704 by Lynn
Expresses opposition to the institution of new federal review, oversight, or preemption of state health insurance laws, the creation of a federal health insurance exchange or connector, and the creation of a federal health insurance plan (public option) option.
Full House – April 12

Tuesday, April 13

SB3589 by Ketron
As introduced, specifies three reasons why a foreign judgment would not be conclusive, and further states that a foreign defamation judgment shall not be recognized if the defamation law of the foreign court adjudicating the case provided less protection for freedom of speech and press than the United States and Tennessee constitutions.
Senate Judiciary Committee – April 13

HB3240 by McCord
As introduced, removes the authority of the governor to commandeer or limit the sale or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or firearm and ammunition components during a state of emergency, major disaster, or natural disaster.
House Judiciary Committee – April 13

HB3287 by Lynn
As introduced, requires legislative approval prior to adoption of regulatory programs concerning greenhouse gas or motor vehicle fuel economy.
House Calendar & Rules Committee – April 13

Wednesday, April 14

SB3629 by Beavers
As introduced, enacts the “Interstate Health-Care Choice Act.”
Senate Commerce, Labor & Agriculture Committee – April 14

SB3748 by Bunch
As introduced, authorizes individuals and small businesses to form and to join health insurance entities.
Senate Commerce, Labor & Agriculture Committee – April 14

Senate Judiciary Committee:
Sen. Mae Beavers, Chair: (615) 741-2421, sen.mae.beavers@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Doug Jackson, Vice-Chair: (615) 741-4499, sen.doug.jackson@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Doug Overbey, Secretary: (615) 741-0981, sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Diane Black: (615) 741-1999, sen.diane.black@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Dewayne Bunch: (615) 741-3730, sen.dewayne.bunch@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Mike Faulk: (615) 741-2061, sen.mike.faulk@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Brian Kelsey: (615) 741-3036, sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Jim Kyle: (615) 741-4167, sen.jim.kyle@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Beverly Marrero: (615) 741-9128, sen.beverly.marrero@capitol.tn.gov

House Judiciary Committee
Rep. Kent Coleman, Chair: (615) 741-6829, rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jon Lundberg, Vice-Chair: (615) 741-7623, rep.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Janis Sontany, Secretary: (615) 741-6861, rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Eddie Bass: (615) 741-1864, rep.eddie.bass@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Karen Camper: (615) 741-1898, rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jim Coley: (615) 741-8201, rep.jim.coley@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Vance Dennis: (615) 741-2190, rep.vance.dennis@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Henry Fincher: (615) 741-1875, rep.henry.fincher@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Judd Matheny: (615) 741-7448, rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Barrett Rich: (615) 741-6890, rep.barrett.rich@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Mike Stewart: (615) 741-2184, rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Eric Watson: (615) 741-7799, rep.eric.watson@capitol.tn.gov

House Calendar and Rules Committee:
Rep. Bill Dunn, Chair: (615) 741-1721, rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Joe Towns, Vice-Chair: (615) 741-2189, rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Matthew Hill, Secretary: (615) 741-2251, rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Joe Armstrong: (615) 741-0768, rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Stratton Bone: (615) 741-7086, rep.stratton.bone@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Harry Brooks: (615) 741-6879, rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Glen Casada: (615) 741-4389, rep.glen.casada@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Kent Coleman: (615) 741-6829, rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. John DeBerry: (615) 741-2239, rep.john.deberry@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Lois DeBerry: (615) 741-3830, rep.lois.deberry@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Craig Fitzhugh: (615) 741-2134, rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Bill Harmon: (615) 741-6849, rep.bill.harmon@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Beth Harwell: (615) 741-0709, rep.beth.harwell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Susan Lynn: (615) 741-7462, rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Judd Matheny: (615) 741-7448, rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Joe McCord: (615) 741-5481, rep.joe.mccord@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Gerald McCormick: (615) 741-2548, rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Steve McManus: (615) 741-1920, rep.steve.mcmanus@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Gary Moore: (615) 741-4317, rep.gary.moore@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jason Mumpower: (615) 741-2050, rep.jason.mumpower@capitol.tn.gov
Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh: (615) 741-3774, spk.eme.jimmy.naifeh@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Gary Odom: (615) 741-4410, rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Curry Todd: (615) 741-1866, rep.curry.todd@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Mike Turner: (615) 741-3229, rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov
Speaker Kent Williams: (615) 741-7450, speaker.kent.williams@capitol.tn.gov

Senate Commerce, Labor & Agriculture Committee:
Sen. Jack Johnson, Chair : (615) 741-2495, sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Dewayne Bunch, Vice-Chair: (615) 741-3730, sen.dewayne.bunch@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Charlotte Burks, Secretary: (615) 741-3978, sen.charlotte.burks@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Mae Beavers: (615) 741-2421, sen.mae.beavers@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Tim Burchett: (615) 741-1766, sen.tim.burchett@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Bill Ketron: (615) 741-6853, sen.bill.ketron@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Steve Southerland: (615) 741-3851, sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Eric Stewart: (615) 741-6694, sen.eric.stewart@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Reginald Tate: (615) 741-2509, sen.reginald.tate@capitol.tn.gov

Lesley Swann is a Co-Host for Tenther Radio and the state chapter coordinator for the Tennessee Tenth Amendment Center. She is a native of Anderson County, Tennessee.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, April 11th, 2010 at 5:46 pm. It is filed under Featured, Tennessee General Assembly and tagged with HB3240, HB3287, HJR704, SB3589, SB3629, SB3748, SJR698, SJR897. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.