Senate gives final approval to key bills in Governor Bill Lee’s legislative package
Final Senate approval was given to several key bills in Governor Bill Lee’s legislative package this week on a wide range of issues from attacking Tennessee’s deadliest illegal drug to providing students with more work-based and apprentice opportunities, giving them a jumpstart on a high-demand career. Other measures passed by the Senate include a criminal justice reform measure and bills to increase the supplement provided to police and firefighters for in-service training and to provide tax fairness to small business owners who operate a gym.
Fentanyl — The deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl is now on the front line of Tennessee’s opioid epidemic. Approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, the drug is often mixed with illegal substances like heroin and counterfeit opioids, to make a deadly mixture. It’s so potent that an amount the size of three grains of sugar is lethal to an adult. Although the drug is used by hospitals as an adjunct to anesthesia or for acute pain in advanced cancer, most fentanyl found illegally on the streets is not diverted; rather it is sourced from China and Mexico.
Currently, the threshold for a Class A felony for fentanyl in Tennessee is 2,000 grams. Senate Bill 798 strengthens penalties, making it a Class B felony to knowingly manufacture, deliver, or sell 15 grams or more of these substances, while penalties would be punishable as a Class A felony if it involves 150 grams or more.
Give Act — Another major bill approved by the Senate this week is the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Act to expand access to vocational and technical training for Tennessee students. Senate Bill 805 is a two-pronged approach that utilizes public-private partnerships to develop work-based learning and apprenticeship opportunities. GIVE also provides funding for high school juniors and seniors to utilize four, fully-funded dual enrollment credits for trade and technical programs. This legislation would effectively double the number of dual enrollment courses that high school students can take.
This legislation seeks to reach the students that may not be on a track to go to a four-year university, but can get a head start on job skills that will allow them to transition into the workforce by utilizing dual enrollment courses offered in work-based programs. Under the bill, the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) will determine which courses will be eligible for dual enrollment from a wide list of programs offered at the state’s Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) and community colleges. In his budget, Governor Lee has proposed that $4 million be expended from the state’s Tennessee Lottery Education Fund to pay for the program.
Repeal of Gym Tax – Senate Bill 960 repealing the state’s amusement tax on gym memberships is headed to Governor Bill Lee for his signature after receiving final Senate approval on Thursday. The nearly 10 percent amusement tax is placed on memberships to gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs, disproportionately impacting small business owners. Large gyms are exempt under current law, while smaller facilities are charged a 10 percent tax. This legislation seeks to address this inequity, as well as the confusion associated with classification of athletic programs which are taxed or exempted.
According to the Department of Health, Tennessee ranks 40th in the nation for physical activity and 35th for adult obesity. Recent estimates show that illnesses related to diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease costs Tennessee directly and indirectly more than $5.3 billion annually.
Increasing Police and Firefighter In-Service Pay Supplement – Legislation proposed by Governor Lee to raise the supplemental pay received by professional fire fighters and police officers for successful completion of their annual in-service training has received final Senate approval. Senate Bill 793 increases the amount from $600 to $800. There are approximately 6,848 firefighters and 14,680 law enforcement officers that are eligible for the cash salary supplement, for a total of 21,528 individuals.
The proposal now awaits final consideration by the full House of Representatives next week.
Criminal Justice Reform / Expungement Fee — State Senators took final action on legislation to eliminate the burdensome $180 expungement fee associated with clearing records of certain criminal charges as part of Governor Bill Lee’s criminal justice reform efforts. Individuals with clear records are much more likely to secure employment and stable housing instead of re-entering prison. Senate Bill 797 applies to the fees charged by the State of Tennessee, while the $100 charged by the county would remain in place.
The legislation is pending action in the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee in the House of Representatives next week.