Legislative Recap: Improving Constitutional Government in Tennessee

The Constitution isn't just a historical document - it's the foundation of American liberty and the framework that protects our freedoms from government overreach.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 accountable to the people. These reforms move Tennessee closer to the founders' vision of constitutional government.

Strengthening Legislative Authority:

• Checks and Balances on Emergency Powers (HB132) - We ensured the General Assembly has a voice during states of emergency declared by the governor. The legislature can now terminate emergency declarations by passing a joint resolution. If we're not in session, two-thirds of members can call a special session to end emergencies without gubernatorial approval. This reform provides essential checks and balances on executive power. During the pandemic, we saw governors across America assume unprecedented powers with little legislative oversight. Tennessee now joins the majority of states that give their legislative branch proper authority over emergency declarations.

• Limited Emergency Powers Duration (HB324) - We ensured emergency management powers granted to the governor stay within constitutional bounds. Executive orders, proclamations, or rules issued under emergency powers cannot override, suspend, or conflict with the provisions of the Tennessee Constitution. We also limited the governor's ability to suspend laws during emergencies to a maximum of 45 days. No governor should have unlimited power, regardless of circumstances. These safeguards ensure that emergency powers remain temporary and constitutional.

  
  

Protecting Constitutional Rights:

• Free Speech Protections for Students (HB1270) - We extended protection to students and contractors of public schools and LEAs while at school and prohibits disciplinary action from being taken against students, or adverse action against school contractors for failure to use preferred pronouns that are inconsistent with an individual's biological sex.

• Religious Freedom for Healthcare Workers (HB1044) - This bill says healthcare providers can't be forced to participate in procedures that violate their conscience. While I strongly support religious freedom and conscience rights, I voted no because the bill lacked protections for patients whose own beliefs may conflict with a provider's refusal—such as cases where patients have been denied transplants over vaccines or blood transfusions. Personal beliefs matter on both sides, and this bill didn't strike that balance.

• Marsy's Law - Constitutional Rights for Victims (SJR9) - We passed a constitutional amendment that ensures crime victims have enforceable rights throughout the criminal justice process, balancing defendants' rights with those of victims.

  
  

Rejecting Unconstitutional Federal Control:

• Reduced Reliance on International Organizations (HB318) - We prohibited requirements or mandates from the World Health Organization, United Nations, and World Economic Forum from overriding Tennessee law or our state constitution. International organizations have no authority over citizens of Tennessee.

• Removed WHO References from Law (HB1226) - We eliminated all references to the World Health Organization from Tennessee statutes, replacing them with references to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our pandemic policies will be based on American institutions, not international bureaucrats.

• Federal Education Deregulation (HB58) - We established a task force to identify and eliminate federal education mandates that violate the Tenth Amendment and principles of local control.

  
  

Electoral Integrity and Democratic Governance:

• Enhanced Voter Verification (Public Chapter 900) - We required election coordinators to compare voter registration databases with Department of Safety records to verify that individuals who aren't citizens aren't registered to vote. Voting is a fundamental right of citizenship that must be protected from fraud.

• Constitutional Amendment on Bail (SJR25) - We passed a Joint Resolution to give voters the final say in 2026 on a constitutional amendment that will allow judges to deny bail to defendants charged with violent offenses who pose a community danger, balancing due process rights with public safety.

  
  

Government Accountability and Transparency:

• Improved Local Government Accountability (HB136) - We required local governments to report credit rating downgrades or defaults to the state comptroller, ensuring taxpayers are aware of financial problems before they become crises.

• Consolidated Civil Rights Enforcement (HB910) - We eliminated redundant agencies and consolidated civil rights enforcement under the Attorney General's Office, improving efficiency while maintaining constitutional protections.

  
  

Why Constitutional Governance Matters:

• Limited Government Protects Liberty - The Constitution establishes limited government with enumerated powers. When the government exceeds these limits, individual liberty suffers.

• Separation of Powers Prevents Tyranny - The founders divided power among three branches and between federal and state governments to prevent any single institution from accumulating too much authority.

• Checks and Balances Ensure Accountability - Each branch of government must check the others to prevent abuse of power. When this system breaks down, freedom dies.

• Individual Rights Constrain Government - Constitutional rights aren't granted by government - they constrain government power and protect individual liberty.

  
  

The Founders' Wisdom:

The founders designed our system based on fundamental truths about human nature and political power:

• Power corrupts, so it must be limited and divided

• Government tends to grow unless actively constrained

• Individual rights must be protected from majority tyranny

• Local control is preferable to distant bureaucracy

  
  

Modern Challenges to Constitutional Government:

Today's threats to constitutional governance include:

• The executive branch assuming legislative powers during "emergencies"

• The federal government exceeding constitutional authority

• International organizations claiming authority over American citizens

• Courts ignoring constitutional text and original meaning

• Administrative agencies creating laws without legislative approval

  
  

Tennessee's Response:

Our reforms address these modern challenges while returning to constitutional principles:

• We limit and check executive emergency powers

• We reject unconstitutional federal and international mandates

• We protect individual rights from government overreach

• We ensure government operates transparently and accountably

• We restore proper separation of powers

  
  

Real Impact:

These reforms protect Tennessee families by:

• Preventing government from accumulating excessive power

• Ensuring elected representatives have proper authority

• Protecting individual rights from bureaucratic abuse

• Maintaining local control over local issues

• Preserving constitutional freedoms for future generations

  
  

Looking Ahead:

Constitutional governance requires constant vigilance. We must continue:

• Checking federal overreach and defending state sovereignty

• Protecting individual rights from government encroachment

• Maintaining proper separation of powers

• Ensuring government transparency and accountability

• Teaching constitutional principles to future generations

  
  

A Personal Commitment:

I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee. That oath guides every vote I cast and every position I take.

The Constitution isn't a "living document" that changes with political fashion - it's the supreme law that protects our liberty from government tyranny. As long as I serve in the legislature, I'll fight to improve and maintain constitutional government in Tennessee.

We must never forget that government serves at the consent of the governed, not the other way around.

Defending Constitutional Liberty,

Michele Reneau

State Representative, District 27