Image: Representative John Ragan Image Credit: State Representative John Ragan / Facebook & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The House Public Service Subcommittee will consider a bill that would prohibit certain foreign entities from doing business within the state of Tennessee.
House Bill 1841 (HB1841), submitted by Representative John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge-District 33), states, “As introduced, prohibits certain foreign entities from submitting bids for contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state; requires entities bidding on contracts to make certain disclosures and certifications related to the entities’ business relationship with certain foreign entities; provides for civil penalties if the disclosures or certifications are false.”
The legislation would prevent foreign adversaries from being able to conduct business with the state of Tennessee. It would also require any business that submits a bid for a state contract to disclose if they have had any prior business interactions with the countries that the state considers ineligible.
The bill also allows for hefty financial penalties if an entity is not transparent regarding that information.
Nationally, there are over a dozen other states in the US that have enacted laws against foreign entities engaging in contracts that include large business transactions, namely real estate.
The bill defines “Foreign Adversary” as the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic, including any agent of or any other entity under significant control of such foreign country of concern, or any other entity deemed a foreign adversary by the governor in consultation with the department of safety and homeland security…”
The House Public Service Subcommittee will meet on February 13.
The contact information for the members of the House Public Service Subommittee is listed below if you wish to reach out to them before that February 13th meeting.
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
