Tennessee lawmakers are planning marathon sessions this week to wrap up their business before adjourning on Thursday or Friday, finalizing decisions on nearly 3,000 bills considered this session.
Vouchers
Gov. Bill Lee initially requested 20,000 additional slots for his Education Freedom Scholarships, also known as vouchers, but the legislature approved 15,000. The bill adds other requirements and changes the “hold harmless” provision as well. “Expansion is the solution to this problem,” Sen. Ken Yager (R-Harriman) said during floor debate.
You can read more about the new law here.
TWRA Funding
An effort to provide the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency with permanent state funding instead of relying on license fees failed. “We need the TWRA to be successful,” State Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) said during floor debate.
However, the agency received a one-time cash infusion. “In the budget, there’s $10 million of non-recurring funds that should go to TWRA. That should help patch that hole,” State Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) said.
Immigration Bills
Tennessee Republicans introduced nine immigration-related bills this session. Two have already passed, including a measure making it a state crime to stay past a final deportation order and a requirement for local governments to use E-Verify for hiring…