The Senate passed legislation this week to give approved teachers with specialty training more tools to protect themselves and their students from an active shooter. Senate Bill 1325, sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), would allow authorized, full-time school faculty and staff to carry a concealed weapon on campus if certain strict requirements are met. ... Read more » The post Legislation gives highly-trained school staff option to carry a concealed firearm to protect school appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

Today, State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) announced efforts to pursue initiatives to help with recovery efforts in Sunbright, Tennessee. On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, an EF-1 tornado hit Sunbright causing damage to numerous residential and commercial buildings.  “Unfortunately, the destruction does not meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards to receive funding,” said Yager. “Given... Read more » The post State Senator Ken Yager pursues initiatives to help Sunbright recovery appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

The Tennessee Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Support (VICTIMS) Act, sponsored by Senator Ed Jackson (R-Jackson) and Representative Lowell Russell (R-Vonore), unanimously advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Criminal Justice Committee. The legislation aims to combat violent crime and bolster public safety across the state by strategically funding police... Read more » The post Tennessee VICTIMS Act advances unanimously through committees appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

(NASHVILLE) – This week on Capitol Hill lawmakers were hard at work passing meaningful legislation to improve the lives of Tennesseans as the General Assembly begins to wind down. Public safety was a big focus this week. Among the important measures passed were several bills to curb the effects of illegal immigration in Tennessee and... Read more » The post Curbing illegal immigration and improving public safety highlight the week appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

(KNOXVILLE) At a press conference on March 22, 2024, Knoxville lawmakers announced a recently released report from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) on East Tennessee psychiatric hospital resources. The report is in response to an October 2023 letter from Lieutenant Governor McNally, Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), and Senator Richard... Read more » The post Knoxville lawmakers discuss report on the potential need for a new mental health hospital in East Tennessee appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

(NASHVILLE) – The Senate Education Committee concluded its business this week, with four of five Senate standing committees now closed. The Senate body was hard at work this week advancing legislation to improve public and school safety, protect Second Amendment rights, cut taxes, and empower parents.   Next week, lawmakers will begin discussions to finalize the... Read more » The post Public and school safety, protecting Second Amendment rights highlight the week appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

The Transportation and Safety Committee concluded its business for the year, while several other committees set their final calendars.  All nine standing committees completed their budget hearings where they closely examined 63 total budgets from state departments and agencies.   On Monday, in a joint session of the General Assembly, lawmakers confirmed Mary L. Wagner, of... Read more » The post Senate Republicans take major steps to protect children from danger online appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

(NASHVILLE) – State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) has filed two bills to keep Shelby County’s new Bail Hearing Room from jeopardizing public safety by recklessly releasing criminals with no bond. The new Bail Hearing Room uses an “Ability to Pay Calculator” to set bail. Since being implemented in February 2023, the Bail Hearing Room has... Read more » The post Senator Taylor files legislation targeting reckless policies of Bail Hearing Room that created 10% increase in criminals released with no bond appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

(NASHVILLE) – Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) introduced legislation this week to prohibit unlicensed individuals from booting vehicles in Tennessee and cap the fee to remove a boot at $75. The legislation ensures owners’ vehicles are not unfairly immobilized by overzealous parking attendants. To further protect vehicle owners, the bill also proposes new regulations... Read more » The post Legislation advances to restrict vehicle booting in Tennessee appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more

(NASHVILLE) This week, Senate Republicans advanced several bills to increase penalties for criminals, specifically repeat offenders and criminals who target children. Strengthening Tennessee’s response to repeat misdemeanor offenders To address the issue of persistent crime, Tennessee lawmakers are prioritizing solutions to tackle the challenge of repeat misdemeanor offenders who often avoid significant consequences. Senator Bo... Read more » The post Senate advanced legislation to crack down on crime and hold criminals accountable appeared first on Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus ..read more