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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Several immigration-related bills saw progress in the House and Senate last week, including bills expanding limitations on Tennessee land owned by foreign adversaries, creating offenses for illegals driving with CDLs, and reiterating the necessity of judicial cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, all taking another step closer to becoming Tennessee law.
SB2233– Expands prohibitions on land purchases by foreign adversaries
Current law restricts land purchases by foreign adversaries in the state but does not include mineral rights, ground water, or surface water, which this legislation seeks to remedy. It also updates Tennessee’s restrictions on foreign adversaries acquiring land by clarifying ownership thresholds.
It would lower the individual ownership threshold foreign entities can hold from 33% to 10% and the aggregate threshold from 50% to 33%, addressing “minority ownership structures that may provide meaningful influence.”
The Senate has already passed this bill once, but as the House companion, HB2547, passed with an amendment allowing more flexibility in the timeline foreign entities would have to divest ownership that the Senate version did not contain, the Senate had to re-consider the bill with its House additions.
Last Thursday, the Senate voted to do just, concurring with the House amendment 26-6 along party lines, and re-passing the legislation.
Now that both chambers have passed the bill containing the exact same language, SB2233 will head to the Governor for signature into law.
SB1587– Prohibits illegal aliens from operating commercial vehicles in Tennessee
This bill explicitly prohibits those “not lawfully present” from driving commercial vehicles, creating a Class A misdemeanor for the illegal driver and a direct employer who knowingly allows an illegal alien to operate a commercial vehicle in the state.
If an illegal is arrested while driving a commercial vehicle, law enforcement would be required to notify immigration authorities. Additionally, the bill creates civil liabilities for accidents caused by illegal aliens, crafting accountability for employers who knowingly allow illegals on the road and employees of any state who knowingly issue commercial drivers’ licenses to illegal aliens.
On the Senate floor, there were no comments or questions on SB1587 before the body voted 26-6 along party lines in favor of passage.
The House version, HB1706, has been placed behind the budget, but with the Senate’s passage of the legislation and assuming the House sponsor has been working with leadership to find the necessary funding or add additional amendments to negate the fiscal note, there is a good chance it could be pulled out and placed back on notice for consideration before the session concludes.
HB1707– Requires judges’ cooperation with federal authorities when enforcing immigration law
Under this bill, if a judge obstructs lawful federal immigration enforcement they can be reported to the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct which can investigate the judge for misconduct. If such misconduct is found, it could be grounds for removal from office.
During Thursday’s House floor session, an amendment was proposed by Democrat Aftyn Behn seeking to define “obstruction” only as “intentional physical interference with a lawful immigration enforcement operation conducted pursuant to a valid judicial warrant”, but it failed.
After the amendment’s failure, Democrat Jason Powell objected to the bill, claiming it would “intimidate judges and make them fearful of holding people accountable who are not residents of this state, who are federal agents. We are not allowing ourselves to hold those people accountable…I want you to think about passing a law that makes it so that we are letting the federal government override anything that happens in our state and to our citizens and people.”
Bill sponsor Rep. Rick Scarbrough reiterated that the bill does not in any way require judges to deviate from Tennessee rules of criminal procedure but reinforces the requirement of courts’ cooperation in allowing legal federal immigration operations to proceed unimpeded and unhindered.
Other Democrats also voiced their opposition to the bill, but the final vote was 71-24 along party lines.
The Senate companion, SB1952 is scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor Wednesday, April 8. If you support this legislation, use this tool to contact your Senator.
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.
