Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
On Monday, the Senate unanimously passed legislation which would expand fee waivers for enhanced handgun carry permits for retired law enforcement officers who meet certain criteria.
SB1628 by Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28) waives the $300 fee every 8 years for a lifetime enhanced handgun carry permit for retired law enforcement officers who served for less than 10 years prior to retirement, was POST-certified, or had equivalent training, on the date the officer retired, and who retired from service due to an injury received in the line of duty.
Current law waives the fee for officers injured in the line of duty who had served for 10 or more years, and this bill would simply extend that benefit to any officer who retired for injury in the line of duty regardless of number of years they had served.
After unanimously passing the Senate Judiciary Committee 9-0 last week, the bill was placed on the Senate Consent Calendar, meaning it was considered non-controversial and not requiring its own vote by the body.
Any member may object to an item on the consent calendar and have it pulled for individual consideration, but the bills remaining are voted upon in one block.
Since there was no objection to SB1628 during Monday’s Senate floor session, the bill remained a part of the consent calendar and passed 33-0 along with all the other items.
The House companion, HB1508 carried by Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92), has made progress in that chamber, passing the House Judiciary Committee back in February but still waiting to be heard by the Finance, Ways, & Means Committee.
It has been set for the final calendar of that committee, likely meaning it will be one of the last bills heard this session.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
