Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
On Monday, a bill requiring that all residential educational programs in Tennessee segregate their restrooms, changing areas, and showers according to “immutable biological sex” if the program allows minors to participate or to access residential facilities passed along party lines with a 74-18 vote on the House floor.
Co-sponsors of this legislation include Representatives Jody Barrett, Aron Maberry, and Chris Todd.
Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61) filed House Bill 64 (HB0064) on behalf of some of his constituents who shared concerns after sending their underage daughter to a month-long summer program offered by a private university in Nashville.
The question was called, meaning a vote was called for, on HB0064 immediately after it was amended on the House floor and no discussion was had.
There was objection to this, however, the majority voted to proceed with the vote.
This was likely done in order to keep Democrat lawmakers from speaking on the legislation from the House floor.
A protestor was removed from the gallery after shouting “How dare you! This is wrong! This is wrong! Wow. Really, this is what we’re gonna do?” as lawmakers cast their votes on HB0064.
Republican Representatives Alexander, Atchley, Barrett, Baum, Boyd, Bricken, Bulso, Burkhart, Butler, Capley, Carringer, Cepicky, Cochran, Crawford, Darby, Davis, Doggett, Eldridge, Faison, Farmer, Fritts, Gant, Garrett, Gillespie, Grills, Hale, Haston, Hawk, Helton-Haynes, Hicks G, Hicks T, Hill, Howell, Hulsey, Hurt, Johnson, Jones R, Keisling, Lafferty, Lamberth, Leatherwood, Littleton, Lynn, Maberry, Marsh, Martin B, Martin G, McCalmon, Moody, Moon, Powers, Reedy, Reeves, Reneau, Rudd, Rudder, Russell, Scarbrough, Sherrell, Slater, Sparks, Stevens, Stinnett, Terry, Todd, Travis, Vaughan, Vital, Warner, White, Williams, Wright, Zachary, and Speaker Sexton voted in favor of the legislation.
Democrat Representatives Behn, Brooks, Chism, Clemmons, Dixie, Freeman, Hakeem, Hardaway, Hemmer, Jones J, McKenzie, Miller, Mitchell, Parkinson, Powell, Salinas, Shaw, and Towns voted against it.
The companion Senate Bill 472 (SB0472), sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), passed in the Senate Education Committee by an 8-1 vote last week and will soon be scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. Adelia is The Tennessee Conservative’s on-site reporter for the Tennessee General Assembly. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
