Week 8 Capitol Round-Up: Fluoride, Devices in Schools, and Controversial Bills

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 a vehicle registration application. The goal is to ensure that vehicles operating on Tennessee roads meet the state’s existing insurance requirements. One concern I have is the extremely high penalty, which increases nearly twenty-fold. The punishment simply does not fit the crime, especially when, in the event of an accident, the harmed party’s insurance company already has the ability to pursue the uninsured driver for damages if they are at fault.

HB 1712 This legislation allows local governments to prohibit certain motorized electric bicycles in public parks. Some constituents raised concerns that the bill could lead to bans on these bikes. The Senate amendment clarifies that local governments would have the authority to regulate or prohibit them if needed.

I spoke with the City of Chattanooga, and they indicated they do not  have plans to prohibit these bikes. In some parts of the state, the issue arose after reports of children riding them recklessly on greenways and bike paths.  The House will conform to the Senate version of the bill later in the process.

HB 2507 This bill restructures how members of the Airport Authority governing board are appointed by shifting  appointments from local governments to the state. During committee discussion, concerns were raised about potential loss of local control. I supported the bill because the state contributes a disproportionate amount of public funding toward airport infrastructure, so it is reasonable for the state to have a greater role in appointing board members. The legislation still ensures that each metropolitan airport retains a locally appointed representative on the board.

🏛️  Government Operations Committee

HB 406 This bill requires health insurers to include coverage in health benefit plans for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices, helping ensure individuals who rely on these devices have access to medically necessary care.

HB 1494  This bill allows the Governor’s office to designate up to ten nonprofit organizations whose donors would qualify for Franchise and Excise tax credits when making contributions.

I voted no on this bill. Businesses already receive tax deductions for charitable giving, and under this proposal the Governor’s office would decide which ten nonprofits qualify. Government should not be in the position of picking winners and losers, and this bill did exactly that. The committee shared many of these concerns, and the bill moved out with a negative recommendation to the Finance Committee.

HB 1695  This bill would allow the State Treasurer to invest a portion of state funds into a Bitcoin reserve. While some view this as an innovative approach, my  concern is about the volatility and risk associated with cryptocurrency investments using taxpayer dollars. I voted no because while private citizens can choose to take this type of financial risk, the state should exercise much greater caution when managing public funds. The bill moved out of committee with a negative recommendation to the Finance Committee.

📝  Status of My Bills This Week

HB 2397 – Veterans and Military Spouse This bill would expand interview preference to include active-duty military spouses in state government and expand veteran preference for interview and hiring to local government. The committee did not adopt the amendment this week, so I rolled the bill to allow time to speak with members and address any concerns. I will bring it back next week if we get far enough into the calendar for it to be heard.

HB 2396 – Fluoride in Public Water This bill passed subcommittee this week. I believe this issue ultimately comes down to individual choice and whether medication should be delivered through the public water supply without consent.

📺 Watch the hearing here. The bill will move to the full Agriculture Committee next week.

HB 851 – UOCAVA/(Residency Integrity Act) This bill passed and moved on to the State & Local Government Committee.  Read more about this bill here.

HB 2392 – Digital Devices in Schools This bill originally proposed stronger restrictions on classroom device use. After working with the committee, the amendment now directs schools in grades K-5 to prioritize teacher-led instruction and limit device use where appropriate. It’s a measured first step toward addressing concerns about excessive screen use in classrooms. The Amendment passed and now moves to the Education Committee.

🗳️ Bills Scheduled for House Floor Debate Monday

HB 1853 – Artificial Food Dyes This bill was surprisingly controversial. Last year, the legislature passed restrictions on Red Dye 40 with strong bipartisan support, receiving a vote of 88-5. However, this year lobbyists representing the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association testified against the bill in committee.

📺 Watch the discussion in Education Committee here.

HB 2395 – Civics Education This bill relates to strengthening civics education requirements in Tennessee schools.

📅 Next Week at the Capitol in subcommittees

Several of my bills were rolled this week simply because committee agendas were extremely long and the committees ran out of time before reaching them.

These bills are most likely to be heard next week, though committee schedules can change quickly and are still long as we start to wrap up the session and subcommittee have started to announce they are closing.

⭐ HB 846 – Biometric Data Protection

⭐ HJR 870 – Right to Food Constitutional Amendment

⭐ HB 853 – Mature Minor/Parental  Rights

⭐ HB 1694 – K-9 Emergency Transport

⭐HB 1692 – Adoption Home Study Waiver 

I recently took over sponsorship of HB 985 after hearing from a domestic violence victim who struggles with the current law. Under current statute, a law-abiding permit holder who accidentally walks past a “No Firearms” sign—even if they are not causing a disturbance—can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor and lose their permit. That is automatic criminal liability.

HB 985 simply removes that automatic penalty. If someone refuses to leave when asked, they would still be subject to criminal trespass under § 39-14-405.

Nothing in this bill prevents businesses from posting signs, installing metal detectors, or enforcing their policies.

🏛️ House Floor Votes

Several bills passed on the House floor this week.

HJR 1015 – America’s 250th Anniversary My resolution recognizes and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, encouraging Tennesseans and especially schools to reflect on the nation’s history and founding principles.

HB 548 – Tennessee Procurement Act

Prohibits state agencies or political subdivisions from procuring final technology products from a foreign adversarial country, as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce. These include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Russia.

HB 1715 – Jury Duty Protection for Nursing Mothers This bill allows nursing mothers to be excused from jury duty, recognizing the challenges of providing nourishment for infants while serving on a jury.

HB 1194 (Co-Sponsor) Work Authorization Lowers the threshold for coverage under the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act from six employees to one. This change helps ensure all private employers in the state comply with work authorization requirements.

⚖️ HB 33 – Bail Denial Involving Charges with Firearms -Why I Voted No

HB 33 expands the factors a judge may consider when setting bail if a firearm was involved in an alleged offense.  I was concerned about the broad language in the bill and the potential for the simple the display of firearm (which was not defined)  to be used as a justification for restricting liberty before a person has been convicted of a crime. The presumption in our justice system should always begin in favor of liberty, and I believe the language in the bill could shift that balance too far in the other direction. I remain a strong defender of Second Amendment rights, and I continue to support legislation that strengthens those protections.

Thank You

Thank you for following along with the work happening at the Capitol. Enjoy the beautiful weather and don’t forget clocks move forward one hour on Sunday, March 8th!

Rep. Michele Reneau

Tennessee House District 27