Image: Rep. Rusty Grills presents HB0324 to the House Public Service Subcommittee Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill limiting the Tennessee Governor’s emergency powers passed unanimously in the Public Service Subcommittee on Wednesday.
House Bill 0324 (HB0324), sponsored by Representative Rusty Grills (R-Newbern-District 77), now advances to the House State and Local Government Committee who will hear the legislation next week.
Its companion Senate Bill 0027 (SB0027), sponsored by Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17), is up for a full vote in the senate on Thursday, March 6th.
Tennesseans wishing to contact their senators about the bill, may find their contact information by using the Tennessee Elected Legislator Finder.
The legislation aims to prohibit orders, proclamations, or rules issued by the governor under his emergency management powers from suspending or conflicting with any part of the Tennessee Constitution, while not impeding the governor’s ability to issue executive orders or proclamations in emergencies.
The bill ensures that the constitutional rights of Tennesseans are upheld and protected during states of emergency.
During the Senate State and Local Government Committee meeting last month, Pody elaborated on the bill and read his Oath of Office which reaffirms the the responsibilities of members of the General Assembly to uphold both the United States and Tennessee constitutions and to limit the power and authority of anyone, including the office of governor, to suspend those rights.
According to an opinion issued by the state Attorney General, which Pody also referenced, the governor retains only executive powers, delegated by the legislature and constitution, during times of emergency.
The bill will be heard in the House State and Local Government Committee on March 12th, 2025.
Contact information for the committee’s members can be found below.
HB0324 Summary: As introduced, prohibits orders, proclamations, or rules issued by the governor under the governor’s emergency management powers from contravening, suspending, or conflicting with a provision of the Tennessee Constitution; restricts governor’s ability under such powers to suspend certain procedural provisions of a law, order, rule, or regulation.
Rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeff.burkhart@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov, rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov, rep.todd.warner@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.
