Week 13 Capitol Round-Up: Key Votes, My Bills, and Final Stretch

We are officially entering the final stretch of session. Committees are wrapping up, and next week we expect to move into full flow motion, meaning long days on the House floor and a high volume of votes.

📝  Status of My Bills This Week

• HB849 – AI Personhood PASSED the House Floor: Clarifies that artificial intelligence, machines, and databases are not legal persons. Goes to the Governor for signature. 

• HB1692 – Adoption Reform  PASSED the House Floor: Allows judges discretion to waive a home study in private adoptions under strict conditions when the child has already been residing in the home and it is in the best interest of the child. Awaiting vote on the Senate floor.

• HB853 Parent Medical Transparency Moving forward on the House Floor next week with a Senate-amended version next week. While not what I hoped, it is a step toward improving parental access to a child’s medical records.

• HB846 – Biometric Protections Passed Commerce unanimously but was double referred to Health Committee which is closed. This bill ensures reasonable accommodations for those with objections to biometric data collection with licensure exams. Say a prayer that the Speaker and Clerk will re-open the committee during flow motion.

🏛️  Government Operations Committee

• HB1979 – Redirects revenue from vape and hemp-derived cannabinoid products to child care assistance programs for state employees. (Voted PNV) Taxes should cover regulation and enforcement—not be used to collect and redistribute

  money to benefit select groups in limited scenarios.

• HB2290 – Establishes IVF regulations. (Voted PNV) While I support oversight, concerns were raised about embryo genetic testing leading to discarding embryos.

• HB2246 – Sets requirements for stem cell therapy.

• HB2252 – Creates a program to promote Tennessee-raised livestock and related products.

• HB2398 – Allows 16–17-year-olds to work in child care centers through work-based learning programs.

• HB1640 – Allows certain homeland security records to be confidential. (Voted PNV) The definition of  “targeted violence” could be applied too broadly, including peaceful protest groups.

🏛️ House Floor Highlights

• HB2186 – Allows metro governments to adjust local taxes on food.

• HB1671 – Prohibits relocating homeless individuals without consent from receiving jurisdictions.

• HB1833 – Limits tuition increases unless graduation rates improve and uses out-of-state tuition to reduce in-state costs.

• HB2018 – Requires local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

• HB2408 – Addresses scam calls and fraud prevention.

• HB2180 – Requires transparency from third-party hotel booking sites about additional fees.

• HB1635 – Clarifies eligibility for burial in state veterans’ cemeteries.

• HB354 – Requires posting a hotline to report abuse of elderly or vulnerable adults.

• HB1649 (Kratom Ban) A complex and controversial issue. Concerns include synthetic and natural variants and reported deaths.

• HB2146 – Voted NO  Suspends a student’s driver’s license for truancy. While well intended, it could harm students who are truant because of attending medical or counseling appointments away from school, must work or care for family members.

• HB2569 – Voted NO Lowers the age for required flu/pneumonia vaccine offers for hospital discharge from 65 to 50. I am concerned this could create pressure to vaccinate during hospital discharge, even when contraindicated for the patient’s reason for admission, rather than ensuring truly voluntary, informed consent.

• HB2188 – Voted NO Changes DCS language from “must” to “may,” reducing accountability during a time of existing system concerns.

• HB2502 – Voted NO Creates a new tax on money transfers. I oppose new taxes and believe this will push activity elsewhere while hurting existing businesses.

• HB2069 – Voted NO Removes local control and shields corporations from public nuisance lawsuits. This limits accountability and citizen recourse.

Looking Ahead

We are moving quickly. Session could end in as little as two weeks. That means long days, fast-moving legislation, and critical decisions. I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom and discernment during this final push. Thank you for staying engaged and informed. It is an honor to represent you at the Capitol.

Rep. Michele Reneau

Tennessee House District 27