Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The Senate Transportation and Safety Committee is scheduled to hear a bill which would require individuals applying for a driver’s license to “sufficiently” read and speak English on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
While the Tennessee Department of Safety currently offers license exams in several languages in addition to English including German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, SB1889 would mandate that should applicants fail to meet English standards and have to take the test in another language, they would only be issued a one-year restricted license. Upon its expiration, they would have to re-take the written exam in English without assistance before being issued an unrestricted license.
Under the legislation, applicants for vehicle registry would also be required to provide evidence they are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or have temporary lawful resident status.
The House companion bill, HB1708, passed the House Transportation Subcommittee last week in an 8-1 vote along party lines and awaits a calendar date before the full House Transportation Committee for consideration, signaling a change in lawmaker’s receptiveness to this type of legislation compared to last year.
A similar bill was proposed last year in both chambers and seemed to be making decent headway in the Senate but ultimately stalled when the House version failed to make it out of the Transportation Subcommittee.
Lawmakers appear to be more amenable to bills on the topic this year as Republican leadership has voiced its intention to more aggressively address illegal immigration during this session.
SB1889 will have to pass the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on Wednesday, of which bill sponsor Sen. Brent Taylor is a member, before heading to the full Senate floor.
To contact committee members with thoughts on this legislation, use the information below:
Sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.heidi.campbell@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.jessie.seal@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov; sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov; sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov; sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov; sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov; sen.heidi.campbell@capitol.tn.gov; sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jessie.seal@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.
