Week 6 Capitol Round-Up: Progress, Pauses, and What to Watch

Here’s your update from the Capitol.

🚦 Transportation  Committee Update

HB1457 – Pregnancy PlacardsRolled 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 present a person in the U.S. to operate a commercial motor vehicle in Tennessee. If arrested, law enforcement must contact federal immigration authorities.

• HB1708 – If someone takes a driver’s license test in a language other than English, they may only receive a restricted, non-renewable license valid for one year (work, school, medical travel). They may retake the test in English after one year to receive a permanent license.

📝  Status of My Bills This Week

HB2392 – Digital Devices in Schools During Education Admin subcommittee, we had a productive discussion. We all agree that LEAs should move away from 1:1 technology for education instruction, but members expressed concern about transitioning too quickly and being able to conform to a paper program for those whose contracts are up this year.  I’m working on an amendment to direct schools to prioritize teacher led instruction and hopefully move in  this direction in the future. 

📖 Read more:https://www.electmichele.com/post/we-need-to-talk-about-screens-in-school-before-we-lose-another-generation-of-readers

🎥 Hearing video:https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB2393

HB1853 – Remove Artificial Food Dye Advances to Full Committee on March 3.

HB2395 – Civics Bill Also advances to Full Committee on March 3.

HB846 – Biometric Data This bill was heard in committee but rolled so we can gather more information on whether it could affect interstate licensing reciprocity. My goal is for testing companies to extend opt-out options they already provide for individuals unable to complete palm scans due to injury or limb difference.

🎥 Hearing video: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB0846

HB2542 – Unemployment Statute CleanupThis bill removes outdated and conflicting language defining “suitable work.”Advances to Full Committee.

📅 Next Week at the Capitol

There are no regular committees next week — only Budget Hearings. All bills scheduled for this week have been moved to the first week of March.

Two upcoming bills you may want to read about:

• Right to Grow Food Constitutional Amendment https://www.electmichele.com/post/why-tennessee-needs-a-constitutional-right-to-grow-and-choose-our-food

• Ending Water Fluoridation https://www.electmichele.com/post/it-s-time-to-end-water-fluoridation-and-address-the-real-cause-of-cavities

🏛️ House Floor Updates

Passed:

• HB1481 – Adds the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day to Tennessee’s official calendar (Mother’s Day is already included). It was hard to believe there was debate on this, but it passed along party lines.

• HB1473 – Affirms that the 14th Amendment applies to state action, not private citizens, in matters related to marriage. This reaffirms that private individuals or organizations are not bound by constitutional obligations intended for government entities.

• HB1501 – Requires large Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) owning 10+ properties in a municipality to provide a physical contact address (not just a PO Box) to the department responsible for building codes. There is a real example in a District 27 case where authorities couldn’t reach a property owner to resolve a squatter situation. In fact, it is still ongoing.

📣 MAHA Day on the Hill was a success!

It was great to see so many folks from Hamilton County! Thank you for coming. It sounded like everyone enjoyed the day, getting to meet legislators, attending some of my committees while I presented bills and enjoying a delicious MAHA lunch. 

Legislative Timeline Reminder

The first subcommittee has announced it will take its final calendar soon, which signals we’re nearing the tail end of session.

📅 Deadline: Bills must be placed on notice by March 4 to be heard in Civil Justice Committee. Other committees will soon follow with similar deadlines.

Remember: It can take up to four committees before a bill reaches the House floor—which is one week per committee, assuming no amendments or other delays.

If you ever have questions about a bill or want to share your perspective, please reach out. Even when we may not agree on every issue, I remain committed to transparency in my decision-making and to faithfully representing District 27 while upholding my oath to the Constitution to the best of my ability.

Warmly,

Rep. Michele Reneau

District 27

Tennessee House of Representatives