Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes could be given life imprisonment if a Tennessee bill becomes law.
House Bill 1872 (HB1872) sponsored by Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32) is on its way to the House Criminal Justice Committee after passing by a voice vote in a subcommittee yesterday.
The corresponding Senate Bill 2770 (SB2770) sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) was set to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday but has been deferred for a week.
In addition to enhancement factors already prescribed under current Tennessee statute, if the bill becomes law it would give courts leeway to enhance the penalty for certain offenses up to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if the defendant was in the country illegally when the crime was committed.
The proposed law aims to deter those coming across the southern United States border from making their way to Tennessee with the intention to engage in drug or human trafficking, activities that lead to violent crime.
Unrelated to immigration status, the bill also enhances the penalty for violent crimes committed on school grounds, be it public, private, or a school of higher education.
In yesterday’s House Criminal Justice Subcommittee meeting, only Democrats appeared to be opposed to the bill.
The bill is scheduled to be heard next in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 19th, 2024.
Anyone who wishes to express support or concerns for this legislation should contact committee members using the contact information below prior to that meeting next Tuesday.
Chair Todd Gardenhire (R) – sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6682
Sara Kyle (D) – sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4167
London Lamar (D) – sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2509
Jon Lundberg (R) – sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5761
Kerry Roberts (R) – sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4499
Paul Rose (R) – sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1967
John Stevens (R) – sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576
Brent Taylor (R) – sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3036
Dawn White (R) – sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6853
sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov, sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov, sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov, sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov, sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov, sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov, sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov, sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov, sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
As the bill moves forward on the House side, you may voice your support or opposition to the bill by contacting the members of the House Criminal Justice Committee listed below.
Chair Bud Hulsey (R) – rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2886
John Gillespie (R) – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8201
Michele Carringer (R) – rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1721
Elaine Davis (R) – rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2287
Clay Doggett (R) – rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7476
Andrew Farmer (R) – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419
Monty Fritts (R) – rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
Ronnie Glynn (D) – rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2043
G.A. Hardaway (D) – rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5625
Dan Howell (R) – rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7799
Gloria Johnson (D) – rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2031
William Lamberth (R) – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980
Debra O. Moody (R) – rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3774
Lowell Russell (R) – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736
Joe Towns, Jr. (D) – rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2189
rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov, rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov, rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov, rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
