Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill that has received considerable conservative pushback over concerns that the legislation strips an individual’s right to challenge constitutionally questionable state laws passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday in a 6 to 2 vote, sending it on to the Senate Calendar Committee.
Republican Senators Todd Gardenhire, Bobby Harshbarger, Paul Rose, John Stevens, Brent Taylor and Dawn White voted in favor of the legislation. Democrat Senators Sara Kyle and London Lamar voted against it, while Republican Senator Kerry Roberts passed on the vote.
According to the bill’s summary, “Present law provides a cause of action for any affected person who seeks declaratory or injunctive relief in any action brought regarding the legality or constitutionality of a governmental action.” SB1958 limits such cause of action to “actions of political subdivisions of this state and specifies that such cause of action does not apply to challenges to the validity or constitutionality of state law.”
In speaking to the committee, Solicitor General of Tennessee Matt Rice said, “Your rights have to be implicated, there must be a specific tie to the law and an action by the government, not just an opinion. You can’t just bring suit because you don’t like a law that’s been passed by the General Assembly.”
The companion House bill (HB1971) sponsored by Representative Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville-District 17 is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee today, March 25th.
Find contact information for members of the committee below.
House Judiciary Committee – HB1971 scheduled to be heard today (3.25.26)
HB1971, in summary, removes the right of a cause of action for any affected person who seeks declaratory and injunctive relief in any action brought regarding the legality or constitutionality of a state governmental action.
Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov; rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov; rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.travis@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.
