Week 5 Capitol Round-Up: Key Votes, Amendments & What’s Ahead

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 members of the disabled community concerned about limited accessible parking availability.

During committee, I asked the sponsor to narrow eligibility to 3rd trimester and high-risk pregnancies only and consider a 1-year pilot program so we could evaluate impacts. The sponsor has since amended the bill to remove 2nd trimester eligibility (though not the full change I had hoped for). The bill advances to Full Committee next week.

➡️ I’d truly value your thoughts on this issue.

HB1874 – Hybrid Definition ClarificationThis bill simply clarifies the definition of “hybrid vehicle” for county clerks.✔️ No new taxes✔️ No new fees✔️ Just clarity for implementation→ Moves to Full Committee.

HB1782 – Hybrid Registration FeeThis proposal would have removed the additional $100 registration fee for non-plug-in hybrids, since they already contribute through gas tax. I voted in favor because I believe that’s fair policy. However, many members voted against it due to the fiscal note. Transportation funding is already strained, and removing this revenue source raised concerns. This bill failed.

Transportation Full Committee

HB1683 (Co-Sponsor) Directs existing wheel tax revenue (tire sales) to the highway fund.✔️ Not a new tax✔️ Reallocates existing dollars to transportation needs.

📝  Status of My Bills This Week

HB850 – Private Property Search Warrants Moved to a special calendar. It will  be heard at the end of session. 

HB851 – Residency Integrity Act Rolled for two weeks. If election integrity interests you, you may want to watch the hearing. My rebuttal begins around the 33-minute mark:https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB0851

HB1247 – Small Cash Purchase Tax Relief Placed behind the budget. Sales tax relief proposals will be decided toward session’s end.

📅 My Bills being heard in Committee Next Week

HB1853 – Remove Synthetic Food Dyes from School Meals Reduces unnecessary chemical exposure for children.

HB2393 – Limit Individual Digital Devices in Lower Grades Research shows students retain about 25% less when learning primarily through screens. This bill begins an important discussion about restoring effective learning methods to improve literacy. Video insight: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSVVNoaDJ84/

HB846 – Biometric Requirements for Licensing Exams Allows individuals to opt out of biometric scans at exam centers. This was inspired by a UTC engineering student unable to take his professional exam because he declined a palm scan. Biometric surrender should be voluntary and not prevent working in one’s chosen profession.

HB2395 – Civics Education Requires instruction on the Declaration’s preamble and the religious affiliations of the Founders. Many assume they were atheists, but historical writings tell a different story. Even Benjamin Franklin frequently referred to “Providence” in his writings. Understanding our origins matters.

HB2392 – Data Center Water Impact Act Protects public water supplies, farms, and communities from excessive data-center water usage. Likely to be moved to be heard on a special calendar with other data center related bills.

🏛️ House Floor

It takes time for bills to move through the committee process before reaching the House Floor, so activity there is still relatively light. Over the next two weeks, as legislation clears committees, we expect to see significantly more action and votes on the floor.

Passed HB47 (Co-Sponsor) Authorizes schools to display historical documents such as:

• Ten Commandments

• Declaration of Independence

• U.S. & Tennessee Constitutions

• Bill of Rights

  
  

These are foundational documents in our nation’s history and civic education.

📣 Upcoming Event: MAHA Day on the Hill

Join citizens on Tuesday, February 17 for MAHA Day on the Hill — a great opportunity to unite with others who care about these issues and let your voice be heard directly at the Capitol. Citizen engagement truly makes a difference in shaping legislation, and your presence matters.

Register here: https://www.mahainstitute.us/dayonthehill

Subcommittees will be approaching closure deadlines before we know it. This is one of the most active phases of session, where many bills are amended, rolled, or fast-tracked.

I’m grateful for your engagement, your emails, and your thoughtful feedback.

Warmly,

Rep. Michele Reneau

Tennessee House of Representatives

District 27