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By REP. JOHN HOLSCLAW
Republican lawmakers were back in Nashville last week to resume their committee meetings and complete calendars for the year with members of the public present.
As part of the House’s return from their recess caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, several safety precautions were enacted inside the Cordell Hull Building in accordance with the Tennessee Pledge.
Just as businesses have utilized the Tennessee Pledge to safely reopen, the House implemented several measures like temperature checks, social distancing reminders and thorough cleaning practices to protect the safety and well-being of all who visited the building.
Committee room seating for members of the public was properly spaced at six feet apart. Lexan barriers were also installed in between members’ chairs to increase protections and limit possible exposure to the virus and other illnesses.
Members returned to the House chamber at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1. Addressing revenue shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic remained a top priority. At the same time, the House remains focused on passing good public policy that continues addressing the needs of all Tennesseans.
Constitutional carry legislation
Historic Republican legislation that allows Tennessee to become the 17th state to enact constitutional carry continued to move through the committee process in the House of Representatives this week.
Members of the House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 2817 by a 16-7 vote tally Tuesday evening. The measure sends a strong “tough on gun crime” message to violent criminals, felons, and gang members through a series of sentencing enhancements that support our law enforcement and judicial communities as they work to protect our cities and towns.
At the same time, House Bill 2817 upholds the freedoms granted to law-abiding citizens under our Constitution by allowing open or concealed carry for citizens 21 and older (18 if certain military service requirements are met) without a permit.
House Bill 2817 now moves to the House Finance, Ways, & Means Subcommittee for a vote on Wednesday, June 3.
Governor’s pro-life initiative
Wednesday, members of the House Public Health Subcommittee advanced strong pro-life legislation that builds upon previous initiatives passed to protect our unborn in Tennessee.
House Bill 2263 bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected or around six weeks. The measure also includes additional prohibitions as well as a ladder provision that enacts additional bans at various other gestation intervals up to 24 weeks. These would take effect if the courts struck down the six-week ban or any additional part of the bill.
The measure also requires doctors to conduct an ultrasound and show images to an expectant mother, and inform her about her baby’s development.
Tennessee is a strong pro-life state, and this measure and others demonstrate the commitment of Republican leaders to enhance protections for our unborn children.
Innovative literacy bill
Members of the House Education Committee this week approved innovative legislation that will transform the way Tennessee children learn to read.
House Bill 2229 advanced through the committee with an 18-6 vote Thursday evening. The measure is a research-based approach to literacy instruction that is founded on phonics and focused on the individual needs of students.
Under the measure, this new approach will focus on phonics, fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension to improve childhood literacy rates in Tennessee. The state will invest in training teachers so they are well prepared to implement this new method of literacy instruction and will provide additional resources in the form of grants to Local Education Agencies (LEA).
Education is the cornerstone in the foundation of the future leaders of Tennessee. House Republicans remain committed to building upon the improvements we have made changing the academic trajectories of our children.
House Bill 2229 now heads to the House Government Operations Committee for additional discussion and debate.
In other news….
• Republican leaders also advanced House Bill 1929 out of the Departments & Agencies Subcommittee on Thursday. The bill is designed to encourage a dialogue between our members and Gov. Lee so we can work together to determine costs and any potential safety issues associated with the refugee resettlement program. House Bill 1929 now heads to the House State Committee.
• Gov. Lee’s Economic Recovery Group issued new guidance this week for noncontact sports like baseball, softball, volleyball, golf and disc golf, tennis, racket sports, cycling, track and field and other running and equestrian events to resume with certain precautions. The guidance also pertains to camps and higher education and includes pre-screening measures, social distancing, isolation and care of possible patients, wearing masks, and added sanitation measures when feasible.
• The latest COVID-19 numbers released Thursday afternoon reveal 21,679 cases in Tennessee out of 415,989 tests conducted. Approximately 14,632 Tennesseans have recovered, 1,689 have been hospitalized, and 356 citizens have died. Free testing is available at rural county health departments in all Tennessee counties five days a week.
(John Holsclaw serves as Chairman of the House Employee Affairs Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Consumer and Human Resource Committee, Commerce Committee, Business Subcommittee, and Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Holsclaw lives in Elizabethton and represents House District 4, which includes Unicoi and part of Carter counties. He can be reached by email at Rep.John.Holsclaw@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-7450.)