Pastor Grimm Serves as Minister of the Day for the State Senate

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City) along with Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) welcomed Pastor Calvin Grimm of the Praise and Truth United Pentecostal Church as the Minister of the Day for the State Senate on Wednesday.  The meeting of the Senate was marked by an opening prayer, led by Pastor Grimm.

In December 2000, Pastor Grimm and his family moved to Johnson City to establish the Praise and Truth United Pentecostal Church.  Over the past six years, the church has seen steady growth.

Accompanying Pastor Grimm were Washington County students: Carrie Grimm, Matthew Grimm, Brian Layher, Haley Mitchell, Eddie Monboe, John Pilkington and Brooklyn Stallsmith.  The students served as legislative pages on the Senate floor.

“Pastor Grimm’s prayer was very well received by all Senators,” said Crowe. “We are very proud to have him and the children join us in the Senate Chamber.”

Tracy Advances Plan to Fund K-12 Capital Projects

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) has advanced legislation that will help local governments with K-12 capital projects.  Senate Bill 277 passed the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday.

“The only aspect of the 2002 Constitutional Amendment creating the Tennessee Lottery yet to be enacted by the legislature is using the excess lottery reserves for new K-12 capital outlay projects,” said Tracy.  “This plan will put actual dollars into the local school districts.”

As amended, the bill will set aside $100 million of the lottery excess reserve fund for the purpose of establishing a K-12 capital outlay grant program.  Each school district would be awarded a certain amount of money pursuant to a local match.

The bill now goes to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, where it must be considered before being acted upon by the full Senate. 

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Burchett Passes Legislation to Prohibit Trafficking of Illegal Aliens

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) passed Senate Bill 193 on Wednesday which will target individuals that are trafficking illegal aliens into the state for a profit.

“A serious issue has arisen because a group known as ‘coyotes’ are taking advantage of people by requiring them to pay large sums of money, then packing them in a vehicle like cordwood, and them transporting them long distances,” said Burchett.  “This practice is not safe for the people being transported, and it is not fair for the residents that are here legally.”

The bill prohibits the transportation of illegal aliens into the state for profit.  A violation of the provision is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a $1000 fine that will go to the local agency responsible for assisting in the deportation of the illegal immigrant.

The bill originally passed the House on April 24th; however, the House must consider a Senate amendment, before the bill will go to the Governor.  

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Senate Passes Woodson Bill to Protect Children from Sexual Predators

Nashville, Tenn. – Senate Bill 2048 sponsored by Sen. Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville) unanimously passed the Senate on Monday night. The bill which was co-sponsored by all members of the Senate, will protect school children from sexual predators. 

“The overwhelming support of this legislation sends a strong message,” said Woodson.  “We are working to make Tennessee a safe haven for children and an unwelcome place for sexual predators.”

The bill will require employers that contract with schools or child care centers to conduct background checks on all of their employees who have potential contact with children. If any employee is found to be registered sexual offender, he or she would be prohibited from working on school grounds or child care center property when children are present. 

The provisions of the bill will apply regardless of whether the employment was direct or through a subcontractor or subsidiary.  

The idea for the legislation came from Sandy Loy, President of Construction Plus, Inc., based in Knoxville.

“Mr. Loy has had a strong protection policy at Construction Plus since 2002,” continued Woodson.  “When he approached me with the idea, I was honored to sponsor the bill.” 

The House companion bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, May 9th.  The bill must pass the house, and the Governor must sign it before it will become law.

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Senate Passes Graduated Penalties for Littering

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Senate unanimously passed legislation on Monday night that will create graduated penalties for littering. The bill, Senate Bill 1265, is sponsored by Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville).

“Our current litter laws penalize dumping 1000 pounds of trash the same as throwing out a chewing gum wrapper,” commented Burchett.  “This bill will strengthen Tennessee’s litter laws and make them more enforceable.  It will go a long way to make our state a cleaner place to live.”

The bill states that a first offense of littering less than 10 pounds would be punishable by a $50 mail-in fine.  An offense of littering 10 pounds to 1000 pounds would be raised to a Class A Misdemeanor of $500.

Littering of 1000 pounds would be deemed commercial dumping.  A second offense of commercial dumping would be a Class E Felony and could carry jail time and a potential fine of $2,500.

The bill will need to pass the House and be signed by the Governor before becoming law. 

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Norris Immigration Enforcement Bill Passes House

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- Legislation by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) passed the House of Representatives 95 to 1 last Thursday, May 3.  The Senate passed it unopposed earlier in the year.  The bill permits the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety to enter into negotiations with the United States Department of Homeland Security concerning the enforcement of federal immigration laws.  This bill would give the Tennessee Highway Patrol the possibility to detain and deport illegal immigrants they encounter during the course of their normal duties.

A similar agreement was entered into by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Force and went into effect earlier this year.  Norris hopes that giving the Tennessee Highway Patrol these same abilities will increase the efficiency and scope of the program. 

“Illegal immigration has been a great concern to Tennesseans recently.  I am trying to help reduce the burden illegal aliens place on lawful Tennessee residents by instituting this program statewide,” says Norris.  “The astounding success of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Force’s program gives me even greater hope that this is the right course of action.  Illegal aliens, especially those apprehended in the midst of crimes against our citizens, have no right to remain in our state or our country.”

The legislation further provides for training of specific Tennessee Highway Patrol officers in accordance with the program.

“The money necessary to train these employees is already available in the form of federally appropriated funds.  All Tennessee needs to do to gain access to these funds is to implement this legislation, which requires no additional cost to its residents.”

“This legislation provides the best available means to eliminate the appeal of Tennessee to illegal aliens.  If they know that we are authorized to deport them from the country it follows that Tennessee will no longer be a destination they desire to visit.”

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Norris State of Emergency and Guns Bill Passes House

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- A bill by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) passed the House of Representatives unopposed last Monday, April 30.  The bill had been passed by the Senate in late March of this year.  The bill removes the authorization for the Governor to prohibit the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport, carrying, storage, display, or use of firearms or ammunition during states of emergency, major disaster, or natural disaster. 

The need for this law in Tennessee became apparent after the news coverage of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans was aired nationally.  Scenes of rioters taking advantage of the disaster and stories of hostage situations, shootings, and crime sprees were enough to make Norris aware of the possible danger Tennessee citizens could encounter should such a horrific state of affairs come into being in their area.

“Tennessee’s citizens should have the right to keep or buy firearms when a state of emergency is in effect.  When the police force and National Guard are overwhelmed, ordinary citizens need to be able to protect themselves, their property, and their families,” says Norris.  “I would hate to see the terrible crimes that occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have a chance of being perpetrated anywhere else, but especially here in Tennessee.”

Making sure that Tennesseans retain their constitutionally given second amendment rights has always been important to Norris. 

“I believe Tennesseans deserve the right to protect the lives they have worked hard to build.  This right should not be diminished during times of emergency, the time when these rights are most necessary.”

This legislation will now be forwarded to the Governor for his approval.  Upon receiving his signature, it will be placed into law.

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Woodson Advances Legislation to Protect Children from Sexual Predators

Nashville, Tenn. – Senate Education Committee Chairman Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville) is moving legislation that will protect school children from sexual predators.   Senate Bill 2048 cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

“This is a common sense approach that we can take to protect our children,” said Woodson.  “Our ultimate goal is to make Tennessee a safe haven for children.  This is a significant step in the right direction.”

The bill will require employers that contract with schools or child care centers to conduct background checks on all of their employees who have potential contact with children. If any employee is found to be registered sexual offender, he or she would be prohibited from working on school grounds or child care center property when children are present. 

The provisions of the bill will apply regardless of whether the employment was direct or through a subcontractor or subsidiary.  

The idea for the legislation came from Sandy Loy, President of Construction Plus, Inc., based in Knoxville.

“Mr. Loy has had a strong protection policy at Construction Plus since 2002,” continued Woodson.  “When he approached me with the idea, I was honored to sponsor the bill.  We have a law that prohibits convicted sexual offenders from living within a thousand feet of a school.  We need to close the loophole that allows these sexual offenders to work in our schools.”

The House companion bill also advanced on Tuesday.  The House K-12 Subcommittee recommended the bill for passage and sent the bill to the full Education Committee.

The Senate bill was referred to the Calendar Committee, and the full Senate will take action next week.

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Ketron to Serve on Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen. Bill Ketron’s (R-Murfreesboro) appointment to the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Working Committee has been confirmed by the Governor.

“Tennessee has a rich history that should be preserved for future generations,” said Ketron.  “This is a unique opportunity for the state to promote its Civil War trails and sites.  I consider it a privilege to serve on this committee.”

The Working Committee was established to explore how Tennessee will participate in and promote the Civil War Sesquicentennial, which is set to begin in 2011.

Ketron is the Chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee.   He is a member of the Senate Environment, Conservation and Tourism Committee, the Senate Education Committee,  the Select Oversight Committee on Corrections, the Select Oversight Committee on Workers’ Compensation and the Select Oversight Committee on Education.

Ketron also serves as the Chairman of the Contract Services Subcommittee of the Joint Legislative Fiscal Review Committee. He represents Lincoln, Marshall, Maury and Rutherford counties.

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Southerland Appointed to Agriculture Board

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) has been appointed to the Tennessee Tobacco Farmers Certifying Board.

“I consider my opportunity to serve in our State Senate an enormous privilege, and will continue to work diligently for the citizens of the first senatorial district,” said Southerland. “I appreciate Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey for selecting me to this position.”

The Tennessee Tobacco Farmers Certifying Board was created by statute in 1999. The primary responsibility of the Board is to develop plans for distributing Tennessee’s allotment of the National Tobacco Growers Settlement Trust to the state’s burley tobacco growers and quota owners.

Southerland serves as Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee.  He is also a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, the Senate Environment, Conservation and Tourism Committee, and the Senate Ethics Committee. 

Southerland represents Cocke, Greene, Hamblen and Unicoi counties.

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