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School meals play an important role in the daily lives of many Tennessee students. While families ultimately make food choices at home, meals served through school nutrition programs are different. When the state provides food to children through a taxpayer-funded program, it is reasonable for us to set thoughtful standards for what is served. That principle is the foundation behind House Bill 1853. The bill simply removes petroleum-based artificial food dyes from foods serve

Private land should mean exactly what it says: land that belongs to you. Land where others—including the government—cannot enter without permission or a warrant. Most Tennesseans assume that is already how the law works. But many would be surprised to learn that, in practice, government agents have sometimes treated private property as if it were open to them. Tennessee is one of several states where government agents have accessed private property without a warrant and witho

Here are the highlights from this week: 🚧 Transportation Subcommittee I unfortunately missed most of the Transportation Subcommittee meeting this week because two of my bills were being heard in another committee, and the debate ran much longer than expected. However, several notable bills did move forward. HB 1690   This bill requires vehicle owners to provide proof of financial responsibility (auto insurance) before the Department of Revenue or a county clerk can process

🚦 Transportation  Committee Update Transportation Committee did not meet this week as the House paused regular committees to focus on budget hearings. Instead of public hearings, my days were filled with meetings with department liaisons, constituents, and colleagues to continue working through amendments and preparing bills for upcoming committee presentations. 🏛️ Budget Week at the Capitol House committees paused so we could focus fully on the state budget. Twenty-two dep

At its heart, HB 851 — the Residency Integrity Act — addresses a straightforward principle: Voting in Tennessee elections should be reserved for Tennessee residents. That is not a partisan statement. It is a constitutional one. The Tennessee Constitution requires residency in order to vote. Yet current statute includes language that allows: “A United States citizen who was born abroad and who has never lived in the United States may register temporarily and vote in the count

Here’s your update from the Capitol. 🚦 Transportation  Committee Update HB1457 – Pregnancy Placards Rolled to next week. Thank you to everyone who shared feedback. We’ll see whether the sponsor brings more changes based on the feedback. If you missed the details on this, see last week’s newsletter here . Two bills dealing with illegal immigration passed subcommittee and move to Full Committee: HB1706 – Makes it a Class A misdemeanor for someone to knowingly and unlawfully

At a time when grocery prices are unpredictable, supply chains are fragile, and families are looking for practical ways to provide for themselves, Tennessee has an opportunity to secure something both timeless and urgently relevant: the right of its people to grow and obtain their own food. The proposed Right to Food constitutional amendment HJR 780 is not radical. It is, in fact, deeply traditional. For most of human history—and for much of Tennessee’s history—families grew

Walk into almost any classroom today and you’ll see it: kids with screens open, headphones on, clicking through assignments, games, and “learning platforms” that promise to personalize instruction. We were told this would make students more engaged, more “future ready,” and more successful. But after years of device-driven education, we have to be honest about what we’re seeing: kids are not retaining what they learn on screens the same way they retain what they learn through

It was a fast-paced week at the Capitol as committees continue moving bills forward ahead of upcoming deadlines. Here are highlights, key votes, and what’s coming next: 🚦 Transportation Sub Committee Update HB1457 – Pregnancy Placards This bill  allows pregnant women in the 2nd or 3rd trimester or those with high-risk pregnancies to obtain a temporary disabled placard. I strongly support being welcoming to life and supporting mothers. However, I also received calls from memb

The debate over fluoride is often framed as a choice between healthy teeth and public safety. That’s a false choice. The real question is whether government should add an industrial chemical to everyone’s drinking water — every infant bottle, every glass of water — without individualized dosing, without informed consent, and without addressing the true root causes of cavities. Community water fluoridation began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on January 25, 1945 , when sodium fluo

Week 4 at the Capitol was a busy one, with major announcements, committee hearings, and the bill filing deadline officially behind us. Here’s a quick round-up of what happened and what’s ahead. 🏛️ Governor’s State of the State This week we heard Governor Lee deliver the State of the State Address , outlining his priorities for Tennessee in the year ahead.If you’d like to watch the full address, you can catch the replay here:👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpuurlRdKHg 🚦 T

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State Representative Michele Reneau (R–Signal Mountain) and Senator Mark Pody (R–Lebanon) have filed legislation to ensure that artificial intelligence, algorithms, and machines are explicitly excluded from the legal definition of “person” under Tennessee law. House Bill 849 and Senate Bill 837 would amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, to clarify that artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, software programs, computer hardware, and any type of m

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rep. Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain) and Sen. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun) have filed a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to protect Tennesseans' fundamental right to grow, raise, and procure the food of their choosing. The resolution, HJR 780, would amend Article XI of the Tennessee Constitution to establish that all individuals have a natural, inherent, and unalienable right to save and exchange seeds; acquire and consume food of their own

Week 3 of the House session was cancelled. Snow and ice kept the Capitol closed for the week—but that doesn’t mean the work stopped. From home, I’ve been continuing to draft and edit legislation, reviewing policy language, preparing for committee next week, and speaking with stakeholders and colleagues to move priorities forward. Most times the most important work happens quietly, outside the committee rooms. There are still a lot of Tennesseans that still do not have power.

Thank you for staying engaged as the legislative session ramps up. It has been a busy start already, and I wanted to share key updates, upcoming events, and what’s happening at the Capitol. It’s a long update but I hope you will find the information useful and interesting on what a week at the Capitol looks like and what I am working on.  🏛️ State of the State Address is February 2 RSVP opens Friday, January 23 at NOON You are invited to attend Tennessee’s State of the State

This week marked the official start of legislative session, and it was a full and eventful one.  Monday , I traveled to Nashville and got settled into my short-term living quarters in preparation for the work ahead. It’s always an adjustment being away from home, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and ready to get to work on behalf of District 27.  Tuesday began on the right foot with prayer alongside many of my  colleagues who gathered for a  time of prayer  led

At the Make Tennessee Healthy Again Dinner in Chattanooga, surrounded by supporters, farmers, and grassroots advocates, I officially announced that I am running for reelection as your State Representative for District 27. This special evening brought together Tennesseans who care deeply about medical freedom, food freedom, clean water, parental rights, and limited government — and who understand that health and liberty go hand in hand. I was honored to be joined by two nati

As we conclude this review of the 114th General Assembly's accomplishments, I would like to step back and take a broader view. These aren't just individual policy victories - they represent a comprehensive approach to governing that puts Tennessee families first and proves that conservative principles work. When I ran for office, I promised to defend Faith, Family, and Freedom. Looking at what we accomplished together, I'm proud to report that we delivered on those promises i

The Constitution isn't just a historical document - it's the foundation of American liberty and the framework that protects our freedoms from government overreach. During the 114th General Assembly, Tennessee Republicans passed crucial legislation to restore constitutional governance, strengthen checks and balances, and ensure that government operates within its proper limits. As a constitutional conservative, I believe government power must be limited, divided, and accountab

Healthcare decisions should be made by patients and their doctors, not government bureaucrats or insurance companies. During the 114th General Assembly, Tennessee Republicans passed comprehensive healthcare reforms that expand access, protect choice, and defend medical freedom while addressing the unique challenges facing Tennessee families. As someone who believes deeply in individual liberty and personal responsibility, I’m proud of much of the progress we’ve made toward a