Legislative Update - Week of March 2, 2020
Governor Lee Reveals Details of his Constitutional Carry Legislation
Last Thursday, Governor Lee held a press conference and issued a press release to reveal his Constitutional Carry legislation. Under his proposal, law-abiding citizens 21-years-old and older may carry a handgun without a permit except in currently restricted areas. It also increases the penalties for theft of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm. Governor Lee was joined at the press conference by Lt. Governor McNally, Speaker Sexton, and dozens of other Republican lawmakers signaling a good chance of passage by most likely party-line votes.
The actual language of the Governor’s proposal has not been released, but the details are expected to be introduced this week on a caption bill in committee. If passed, Tennessee would join 16 other states that allow citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit - Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Items to Watch this Week
Caps on Property Taxes
HB 2638/SB 2751 (Holt/Bell) would prohibit cities and counties from raising property taxes more than 2% plus inflation each year. If a city or county would like to raise the taxes in excess of this amount, the raised taxes would be contingent on the approval of the voters via referendum. Concerns have been raised with this legislation by city and county officials, chambers of commerce, school systems, the Comptroller, and other groups.
This bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House Property and Planning Subcommittee tomorrow afternoon at 4:30. To watch the live or archived discussion, click here.
Local Regulation of Transpotainment
HB 2381/SB 2513 (Hazlewood/Dickerson) would enable metropolitan governments to regulate vehicles in the business of “transpotainment.” This change would allow Metro to set standards for vehicles such as peddle taverns, buses, and firetrucks when “passengers hire the motor vehicle not only as a means of transportation, but also for some entertainment or social purpose.” Currently, Metro is prohibited from such oversight.
This legislation is scheduled for a hearing in the House Safety and Funding Subcommittee tomorrow morning at 9:00, and the live and archived video may be viewed here. It is also scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee at 10:00 on Wednesday morning, and the live or archived video may be viewed here.