Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A carryover bill from last year which would prohibit the government from declaring any citizen “non-essential” in times of emergency barely passed the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 11, and will now receive a vote on the House floor.
HB0562 seeks to ensure that public officials cannot prohibit the “operation of or engagement in a lawful occupation by categorizing a lawful occupation as non-essential by executive order, proclamation, or rule.”
Should a local official violate this provision, they would be subject to ouster proceedings, potentially removing them from office, and if ousted, prohibited from being elected to that same position for five years.
Prompted by Gov. Bill Lee’s signing of an executive order during the events of 2020 which ordered all business deemed non-essential to immediately close, bill sponsor Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32) brought the legislation to ensure Tennesseans would not be at risk of losing their livelihoods or businesses in a similar fashion during future state emergencies.
The bill worked through the committee process and was set for a vote on the House floor at the end of the 2025 legislative session until it was objected to and sent back to the House Judiciary Committee for further review. Now, the bill has been revived and will once again be voted on by the full House.
After discussion, the committee narrowly passed the bill 10-9. Republicans Rebecca Alexander, Fred Atchley, Mary Littleton, Tom Stinnett, and Ron Travis joined four committee Democrats in voting “No”. All 10 “Yes” votes came from Republicans.
HB0562 has now been referred to the House Calendar & Rules Committee to receive a date for the House floor.
You can find the contact information for your Tennessee State Representative(s) HERE.
SB1048 by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), the Senate companion, also found success in its journey last year, but was pulled from the Senate floor calendar when the House version was sent back to committee. It currently sits in the Senate Calendar Committee where it can receive a new date for consideration if the House version continues to progress.
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.
