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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Three immigration-related bills passed either the Senate or House on Thursday, putting them one step closer to becoming Tennessee law as their companion bills still make their way through the committee process.
SJR0624– Constitutional amendment specifying only U.S. citizens can vote
This joint resolution would reaffirm that only U.S. citizens may vote in all Tennessee elections. Sponsors have continually reiterated that they do not currently believe this to be an issue in the state but are proposing this amendment to ensure the Tennessee Constitution could not be circumvented in case governing authorities attempt to bypass state laws at some point in the future.
The resolution had its final vote on the Senate floor on Thursday, where it was read in its entirety to the body for the third time before discussion was entertained.
Senate Democrats objected to the resolution, making arguments it is unnecessary since citizenship is already a requirement in both federal and state law. Despite the opposition, SJR0624 passed 27-4 along party lines, with one Democrat marking themselves “Present Not Voting.”
The House version of the resolution, HJR0808 by Rep. Andrew Farmer passed the House State & Local Government Committee earlier this week and will head to the Finance, Ways, & Means Committee before making it to the House floor.
Before it can appear on voters’ ballots, a proposed constitutional amendment must pass two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly, the first with a simple majority and the second with a 2/3 majority. It can then only be referred to the ballot during a gubernatorial election year.
SB1748– Takes commercial drivers off roads if unable to read & speak English sufficiently
Sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling, SB1748 requires an enforcement officer to issue an out-of-service order if a commercial driver is found not to be fluent in English. The license would remain suspended and a substitute driver who is proficient in English would take over operation of the vehicle until the original driver takes and passes the written commercial driver license test in English.
However, it appears an amendment to the bill has stripped the accountability mechanisms for employers whose illegal drivers are pulled off the road over concerns about enforceability. The original legislation charged employers with a Class C misdemeanor and citation punishable by a $500 fine, but that language no longer appears in the amended version which was adopted by the Senate on Thursday.
The new version of the bill passed the Senate 26-6 along party lines. The House companion, HB1817, is scheduled for the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for Wednesday, March 25. HB1817 also shows the same amended language removing the employer consequences as its Senate counterpart.
HB2185– Elections administrators can access SAVE data to verify citizenship for voter registration
A bill passed last year requires the coordinator of elections in the state to create a portal by Jan. of 2028 that can be used by each county-level elections administrator to verify, before processing an individual’s application to register to vote, whether the applicant is a U.S. citizen based on credentials like a driver’s license or other certified identification card.
HB2185 authorizes that portal to access information and data from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program if the Department of Homeland Security ever makes the data available via a secure web service to further ensure only eligible U.S. citizens can register to vote in Tennessee.
On the House floor Thursday, there was no discussion or debate on the bill, and it passed 68-22 along party lines.
The Senate companion, SB2204, is scheduled for the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Tuesday, March 24.
To contact committee members about any of this legislation, use the information below:
House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee– HB1817 to be heard March 25; HJR0808 will likely be heard sometime next week
HB1817 Takes commercial drivers off roads if unable to read & speak English sufficiently
HJR0808 Constitutional amendment specifying only U.S. citizens can vote
Rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov; rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov; rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov; rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lee.reeves@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov
Senate State and Local Government Committee– SB2204 to be heard March 24
SB2204 Allows elections administrators can access SAVE data to verify citizenship for voter registration
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
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.
