Image Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
During Tennessee’s 2023 legislative session, Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro-District 36) sponsored a bill that would have pushed back against the harboring of illegal immigrants on state-owned property.
After the legislation passed in the House Departments & Agencies subcommittee, it was sent to the House State Government Committee which continuously deferred the bill, eventually shelving it “until early 2024.”
It is now early 2024 and Rep. Powers’ immigration bill is up for consideration in the House State Government Committee once again.
House Bill 1247 (HB1247), as introduced, would prohibit illegal immigrants from “being housed on real property owned by this state or a political subdivision of this state.” The Senate version of the bill SB1151, is sponsored by Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains-District 8).
Housing required due to a criminal conviction resulting in jail time, prison time, or time in another correctional institution would not be prohibited.
“The state may withhold state funds from any entity that is in violation,” Rep. Powers previously explained.
According to last year’s fiscal note for HB1247, passage of this bill could cause to lose federal funding for the Department of Education and could result in “significant monetary penalties” for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ Regional Mental Health Institutes.
2023 projections showed an increase in state expenditures by about $1.3 million per year if HB1247 were to be implemented.
This piece of legislation is currently scheduled to be heard by the House State Government Committee on Wednesday, January 31st.
Another immigration bill, Senate Bill 2034 (SB2034), is also being sponsored by Sen. Frank Niceley.
SB2034 as introduced, would increase the fine for “transporting into the state, for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain, an individual who the person knows or should have known has illegally entered or remained” in the U.S. as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
This piece of legislation was introduced on January 25th, 2024 and has not yet been assigned to a committee for consideration.
To voice your support or opposition to HB1247 as summarized above, use the information below to contact the House State Government Committee members prior to their scheduled meeting on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024.
Kelly Keisling (R-Chair) – rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6852
Rick Eldridge (R-Vice-Chair) – rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6877
Rebecca Alexander (R) – rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2251
Rush Bricken (R) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7448
Ed Butler (R) – rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1260
Michele Carringer (R) – rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1721
Kirk Haston (R) – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0750
John Holsclaw (R) – rep.john.holsclaw@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7450
Chris Hurt (R) – rep.chris.hurt@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2134
Curtis Johnson (R) – rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4341
Tom Leatherwood (R) – rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7084
Mary Littleton (R) – rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7477
Jake McCalmon (R) – rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4389
Dennis Powers (R) – rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3335
Iris Rudder (R) – rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8695
Bryan Terry (R) – rep.bryan.terry@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2180
Jesse Chism (D) – rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6954
Vincent Dixie (D) – rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1997
Darren Jernigan (D) – rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6959
Larry Miller (D) – rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4453
Justin J. Pearson (D) – rep.justin.j.pearson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4295
Jason Powell (D) – rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6861
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee.
You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.