Image Credit: Gov. Bill Lee / Facebook & capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –
House Bill 1615 (HB1615,) likely written in response to the government overreach that occurred in relation to Covid-19 on the part of Gov. Bill Lee, is scheduled to be reviewed by the House Public Service Subcommittee on March 5, 2024.
This bill “as introduced, provides that the violation of an executive order, proclamation, or rule issued by the governor cannot be enforced as a Class A misdemeanor unless such order, proclamation, or rule specifies that such violation is a Class A misdemeanor and the order, proclamation, or rule is approved by a majority vote of both houses of the general assembly. – Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 2, Part 1.”
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) with its companion bill in the Senate (SB1999) being sponsored by Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17).
In a conversation with Brandon Lewis (founder of The Tennessee Conservative), Gary Humble from Tennessee Stands pointed out:
“In 2020 […] when the governor issued a lockdown order and allowed county mayors to issue mask mandates…In the technical sense of the law, had you been cited for violating those orders you could have been criminally charged with a Class A misdemeanor in the state of Tennessee.” These bills aim to remove that penalty unless an executive order goes through a voting process in both the Tennessee House and Senate and garners a majority vote in both.
In order to express your support or concerns regarding HB1615, contact the representatives in the House Public Service Subcommittee below before their meeting scheduled for March 5th.
Rep. Iris Rudder (R) – Chair – rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8695
Rep. Rebecca K. Alexander (R) – rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2251
Rep. Vincent Dixie (D) – rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1997
Rep. Rick Eldridge (R) – rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6877
Rep. Curtis Johnson (R) – rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4341
Rep. Kerry Keisling (R) – rep.kerry.keisling@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6852
Rep. Dennis Powers (R) – rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3335
rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov , rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov , rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov , rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov , rep.kerry.keisling@capitol.tn.gov , rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov
Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com