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Note from The Tennessee Conservative: Editorial statements in this column are the sole opinion of the author; they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff of this publication.
Submitted by Connie Reguli, J.D. –
If it works in South Dakota, it will work for Tennessee. South Dakota passed a public integrity bill in 2025. (SD – SB62 – 2025) The South Dakota law provides that a state employee who has reasonable cause to suspect that another state employee has committed improper governmental conduct or a crime shall report it to the attorney general and reporter. Failure to report is a misdemeanor criminal offense.
In April 2025, SD Governor Rhoden signed an executive order to speed up the processing of those reports for prosecution. By February 2026, forty-seven complaints and fourteen criminal investigations of state employees were being processed.
Just under half the complaints originated with two agencies, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Corrections, which were responsible for 23% and 21% of the complaints, respectively.
Among the first to be prosecuted were a child protective service worker for falsifying government records, and a prison guard for smuggling contraband into the prison. A report from the SD attorney general showed that fraud and theft were 19% of the crimes, and “other felony crimes” were 23% of the reports.
The news of South Dakota’s success in implementing strategies against public corruption inspired Tennessee lawmakers Rep. Todd Warner (R-92) and Senator Janice Bowling (R-16) to introduce similar legislation in Tennessee.
HB2098 / SB2487 are ripe for introduction with an amendment that tightens the language to ensure that all crimes in Title 39 are included. Seven co-sponsors have been added in the House: Hulsey (R-2), Barrett (R-69), Reneau (R-27), Reedy (R-74), Hill (R-3), Atchley (R-12), and Sparks (R-49).
THREATS TO KILL THE BILL SMACK AGAINST THE RULES AND THE CONSTITUTION
However, when the bill was set for hearing in the Public Service Subcommittee on March 4th, 2026, Committee Chair Rep. Iris Rudder (R-39) informed Rep. Todd Warner (R-92) that she would “kill the bill” in sub.
Not only is it frightening that a subcommittee chair person could completely stop this important legislation, but House rules prohibit it. Under Section 83 Uniform Rules of Committee, subpart (13) states that a standing committee chair may create such ad hoc committees as the chair considers necessary and appropriate to deal with designated subjects, but NO AD HOC COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO KILL A BILL.
Not only is Rep. Rudder’s threat to “Kill the Bill” a gross abuse of power contrary to the committee rules, Art. II, of the Tennessee Constitution, Section 18 states that “A bill shall become law when it has been considered and passed on three different days in each House and on third and final consideration has received the assent of a majority of all members to which each House is entitled under this Constitution.”
Quite frankly, the “committee” practice of the Tennessee General Assembly violates the basic tenets of our constitution. Although Art. II, Section 12 gives each House the power to determine the “rules of its proceedings” there is absolutely NO power to dissect the power of the constituents to influence the passage of legislation by divvying up legislation that prevents the entire body from voting. The pretense that a sub-committee of five members could silence 95% of the constituents of the state is contrary to the very core of our constitutional principles.
But that is exactly what Rep. Iris Rudder intends. When presented with the bill in a private meeting, Rep. Rudder’s first response was, “So you want us to snitch on each other?” The language of the legislation is “yes”. That is exactly what is expected and the taxpayers and citizens of this state should expect nothing less. Every member of the State House and Senate takes an oath of office to uphold our constitution.
TENNESSEE CRIMINAL CODE HOLDS AN EXPECTATION OF PUBLIC INTEGRITY
The Tennessee criminal code expects government employees to be accountable for misdeeds.
Bribery of a public servant is found at Tenn. Code 39-16-102 and describes the acceptance of a bribe to influence a vote as a Class B felony and prevents a person from ever holding public office.
Corruptly procuring the resignation of anyone from office is a crime under Tenn. Code 39-16-105 is a Class C felony.
Tampering or falsifying government records such as making a false entry, or false alteration of a government record or unintentionally destroying or concealing or impairing the visibility of a government record is a Class E felony under Tenn. Code 39-16-504.
Tampering with or fabricating evidence is a Class C felony when a person alters, destroys, or conceals any record with the intent to impair its verity or availability as evidence in an investigation or official proceeding; or to make, present, or use any record, document or thing with knowledge of its falsity under Tenn. Code 39-16-503.
It is Official Misconduct under Tenn. Code 39-16-402 and a Class E felony for a public servant to obtain a benefit or to harm another with an unauthorized exercise of their official power, commits an act under color of office that exceeds the public servant’s official power, or refrains from performing a duty that is imposed by law, or violate “a law” relating to the public servant’s office.
Under Tenn. Code 39-16-403, it is Official Oppression and a Class E felony when a public servant, acting under the color of office to intentionally subject another to mistreatment or to arrest, detention, stop, frisk, halt, search, dispossession when the public servant knows it is unlawful. It is also official misconduct to intentionally deny or impede another in the exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege, power or immunity, when the public servant knows the conduct is unlawful.
In addition to these, many more criminal codes include driving under the influence, use or possession of illegal drugs, use of computers for illicit materials, theft of state funds, assaults, and harassment would require reporting under this legislation.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MUST USE ITS POWER OF OUSTER.
The legislation also requires reporting of improper government conduct including any conflict of interest prohibited by law and gross mismanagement of public funds.
In addition to the reporting of criminal conduct to law enforcement, this bill requires reporting to the attorney general.
Under Tennessee law, the attorney general and each county’s respective district attorney hold the power and responsibility to initiate proceedings to remove any state, county, or municipal officer (ouster) under Tenn. Code 8-47-102. And under Tenn. Code 8-47-101, such proceedings should be initiated where there is knowing or willful misconduct in office, including public intoxication, illegal gambling, or who violates “any penal statute involving moral turpitude”.
LAW ENFORCEMENT LOBBYING AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT – ONLY IN TENNESSEE
It appears that some resistance to this bill has come from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Legislative liaison for the TBI said that he did not think this bill was needed because the TBI already had a “public integrity” unit. However, there is nothing on the TBI website that gives any public information on this specialized unit.
This legislation costs the taxpayers nothing and offers more accountability and more transparency. It is difficult to understand how any law enforcement agency would lobby against enforcing the law. The State of Tennessee has 42,000 employees and countless contractors performing government functions. Every dime used to hire, train, and support them comes from your tax dollars.
WHAT TENNESSEE IS KNOWN FOR …… SCANDALOUS BEHAVIORS
Tennessee is not without scandalous criminal activity. There was “Clemency for Cash”; “Tennessee Waltz”; “Rocky Top”, and famously at least two state court judges (Lanier, Moreland) used the bench to garner sexual favors in exchange for favorable judicial decisions.
Although this bill does not cover county and local governments, the change of culture for public integrity should lead to similar mandatory reporting for corruption and crimes in those governments. A quick search shows a bevy of shenanigans across the state:
- Benton County Commissioner Stokes was arrested in 2025 on sexual battery on a minor.
- Hardeman County Commissioner Jenkins was arrested in 2024 for possession of stolen vehicles he had in his “chop shop.”
- Fentress County Sheriff Reagon was arrested in November 2025 for tampering with government records.
- Sullivan County Commissioner Carr was arrested in November 2025 for sexual battery and public intoxication.
- Trousdale County Sheriff Department Captain was arrested just days ago.
CALL TO ACTION
Tennessee taxpayers deserve public integrity from public servants. This legislation needs your support and action.
The bill is set for the Public Service Subcommittee March 11; and the Senate State and Local March 17.
Email Rep.Todd.Warner@capitol.tn.gov and Sen.Janice.Bowling@capitol.tn.gov and THANK them for running HB2098/SB2487.
THEN contact Chair of the Public Service Sub Iris Rudder and tell her to Vote Yes, and that her plan to Kill the Bill violates House Rules and the Tennessee Constitution.
Then contact these committee members by phone and email to Vote Yes on this legislation.
Subject Line: VOTE YES HB2098/SB2487
House / Public Service Sub
Rep. Iris Rudder (R-39) – rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov (Chair) -615-741-8695
Rep. Rick Eldridge (R-10) – rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-6877
Rep. Michael Lankford (R-75) – rep.michael.lankford@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-6804
Rep. Gabby Salinas (D-96) – rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1920
Rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov; rep.michael.lankford@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov
Subject Line: VOTE YES HB2098/SB2487
House / State and Local Full
Rep. John Crawford (R-1) (Chair) 615-741-7623 rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dave Wright (R-19) (Co-Chair) 615-741-6879 rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Rush Bricken (R-47) 615-741-7448 rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Ed Butler (R-41) 615-741-1260 rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Michele Carringer (R-16) 615-741-1721 rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jesse Chism (R-85) 615-741-6954 rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Vincent Dixie (D-54) 615-741-1997 rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dan Howell (R-22) 615-741-7799 rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Tom Leatherwood (R-99) 615-741-7084 rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Mary Littleton (R-78) 615-741-7477 rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Greg Martin (R-28) 615-741-2548 rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jake McCalmon (R-63) 615-741-4389 rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Larry Miller (R-88) 615-741-4453 rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-50) 615-741-4317 rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jerome Moon (R-8) 615-741-5481 rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jason Powell (D-53) 615-741-6861 rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dennis Powers (R-36) 615-741-3335 rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Tim Rudd (R-34) 615-741-2804 rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rush.bricken@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.michael.lankford@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
Subject Line: VOTE YES HB2098/SB2487
Senate / State and Local
Sen. Richard Briggs (R-7) (Chair) 615-741-1766 sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-10) 615-741-6682 sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Tom Hatcher (R-2) 615-741-0981 sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Ed Jackson (R-25) 615-741-1810 sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Sara Kyle (D-25) 615-741-4167 sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Adam Lowe (R-1) 615-741-1946 sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Page Walley (R-26) 615-741-2368 sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-23) 615-741-4499 sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-21) 615-741-3291 sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov; sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov; sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
Find the list of House Members here.
Find the list of Senate Members here. If you don’t know your representatives, put your address in here.
Connie Reguli J.D. has 28 years experience in family and juvenile law and is a political activist for child welfare reform. She organized the Family Forward Project through social media and has 28,000 families nationwide working towards reform.
She can be contacted at connie.familyforward@gmail.com or through Facebook messenger.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connieregulifamilyforward
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connie.reguli
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conniereguli/
