Bill: HB0534/SB0802 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Beavers and Rep. Pody, and signed into law in 2013 by Gov. Haslam, HB0534/SB0802 prohibits public institutions of higher education from denying recognition, privileges or benefits to a student organization or group on the basis of religious content of the organization’s or group’s speech or the manner in which the organization or group determines its organizational affairs.

Also: “Tennessee considers bill to allow religious discrimination in college student groups”

“College nondiscrimination ban headed to Haslam”

Bill: HB42 (PDF)

Sponsored by Rep. Carr, HB42 states that, “Any federal law, statute, rule, regulation, or executive order implemented or executed on or after January 1, 2013 shall be unenforceable within the borders of this state if the law, statute, rule, regulation, or executive order attempts to (1) Ban or restrict ownership of a semi automatic firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition; or (2) Require any firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition to be registered in any manner.” The bill provides that no public employee, public official, or dealer may enforce federal gun control laws; federal agents who attempt to do so will be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Also: “Joe Carr, Tennessee Legislator, Proposes Gun Control Law Ban”

“Rep. Carr has Proposed Gun Bill that Targets Proposed Federal Laws and Federal Agents”

Bill: SB0796/HB0591 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Beavers and Rep. Van Huss, SB0796/HB0591 (Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act) states that “no law enforcement agency shall use a drone to gather evidence or other information.” Law enforcement agencies may use drones only after obtaining a search warrant by a judge, and when reasonable suspicion exists that a person presents an imminent danger to life.

Also: “Down with Drones in Tennessee?”

“States step up fight against use of surveillance drones by law enforcement”

Bill: SB0632 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Tracy and Rep. Womick, SB0632 states that “a qualified medical professional trained in sonography and working under the supervision of a physician licensed in this state shall (1) perform a live, real-time fetal transabdominal ultrasound imaging on the pregnant woman on whom the abortion is to be performed for the purpose of determining gestational age, (2) display the live, real-time fetal transabdominal ultrasound images in a quality consistent with current medical practice in a manner that the pregnant woman may view them, (3) offer a simultaneous verbal explanation of the results of the live, real-time ultrasound images, including a medical description of the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, the presence of cardiac activity, and the presence of arms, legs, external members and internal organs, and provide a copy of the ultrasound image to the woman; and (4) make audible the live, real-time heart auscultation, when present, for the pregnant woman to hear.”

Also: “Tenn. bill would require ultrasound before abortion”

“Tracy, Womick file bill requiring ultrasounds before abortions in Tenn.”

Bill: SB0234 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Campfield, SB0234 (“Classroom Protection Act”) states that grade levels pre-K through eighth grade must limit sexual eduction instruction to the biological aspect of human sexual reproduction only. SB0234 does not prohibit school counselors, nurses, or principals from counseling students on complex issues of human sexuality, provided that parents are notified.

Also: “Senator Stacey Campfield files retooled homosexuality in classroom bill”

“Tenn. senator’s bill revives ‘Don’t Say Gay’ fight”

“Tennessee bill keeps gay agenda out of K-8 grade school instruction”

“Tennessee senator revives ‘Don’t say gay’ fight”

Bill: SB0250/HB0248 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Beavers and Rep. Butt, SB0250/HB0248 states, “The general assembly declares that any federal action prohibited by this chapter relating to firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition, whether made in Tennessee or not, is not authorized by the United States constitution and violates the restrictions contained therein and is hereby declared to be invalid in this state; that said federal action shall not be recognized by this state; and that said federal action is rejected by this state and shall be null and void and of no effect in this state…It is an offense for any person to knowingly enforce or attempt to enforce any federal action prohibited by this chapter relating to a state government, local government or civilian owned firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition. Any person who violates this section commits a Class B felony.” As introduced, SB0250 expands and amends the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act of 2009 to address federal actions in this state (Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 54).

Also: “Tennessee bill looks to stop any future federal gun ban”

“Tennessee legislators introduce strong new legislation to stop gun control”

Bill: HB0010 (PDF)

Sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Faison and Sen. Frank Niceley, HB0010/SB0040 prohibits the allocation of state or local public funds to the regulation or enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule or regulation that becomes effective on or after January 1, 2013, that imposes restrictions on citizens who lawfully possess or carry firearms in this state; allows the allocation of state or local personnel or property to such regulation or enforcement if federal funding is provided.

Also: “Lawmakers Faison, Niceley introduce bill prohibiting Tenn. funding for gun confiscation”

Bill: SB3323/HB3808 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Mae Beavers and Rep. Matthew Hill, and signed into law by Gov. Haslam, SB3323/3808 enacts the “Life Defense Act of 2012,” which requires that physicians performing abortions have admitting privileges in hospital within certain area of where abortion performed.

Also: “Pro-Life Law May Stop Abortions in Tennessee”

“Abortion Biz Closes in Knoxville, Tennessee; Can’t Comply With New Law”

“House Passes ‘Life Defense Act’ requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital”

Bill: SB2641/HB2658 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Mike Bell and Rep. Matthew Hill, and signed into law by Gov. Haslam, SB2641/HB2658 authorizes public displays of the Ten Commandments alongside other historically-significant documents, such as the Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence.

Also: “Tennessee approves bill to allow displays of Ten Commandments”

“Tennessee to get law allowing Ten Commandments displays”

Bill: SB3652 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Mike Bell and Rep. Vance Dennis, and signed into law by Gov. Haslam, SB3652 requires that the House and Senate speakers appoint all nine members of the new Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. The House and Senate speakers each appoint four members, consisting of one state judge, two attorneys and one non-attorney. A third state court judge member will be appointed jointly by the speakers. The statue ensures that judicial selection and performance evaluation will be heavily influenced by elected leaders of the Legislature.

Bill: HB3124/SB2638 (Public Ch. No.1046) (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson and Rep. Vance Dennis, and signed into law by Gov. Haslam, HB3124/SB2638 (Public Ch. No.1046) requires the court in a civil case, on a trial court’s granting of a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, to award costs and reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees incurred in the proceedings as a consequence of the dismissed claims to the party against whom the dismissed claims were pending. According to the new law, a judge in a civil case must assess the litigation costs to a party who successfully seeks dismissal of a claim that does not have a basis in fact or law (a frivolous lawsuit). Recoverable costs include reasonable and necessary attorney fees and are capped at $10,000.

Also: “Tennessee’loser pays’ bill gets final approval”

“Tennessee Adopts New ‘Loser Pays’ Rule”

Bill: SB2671 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Beavers, Faulk, et. al, and signed into law by Gov. Haslam, SB2671 creates a 16-person Board of Judicial Conduct to police activist judges. Of the 16 members board, ten will be judges appointed by judicial organizations; six will be non-judges appointed by the governor and the speakers of the House and Senate, each having two appointees.

Also: “Legislature enacts new discipline system for judges”

Bill: SB3310/HB3621 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson, Rep. Jim Gotto, et al., and signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam, SB3310/HB3621 provides for abstinence-based sex education in Tennessee public schools. Teachers or special interest groups that promote teen sexual activity are subject to legal damages, court costs, and a civil fine of up to $500.

Also: “Tennessee governor signs abstinence education bill into law”

“Tennessee passes abstinence-centered sexual education bill”

“Gateway sexual activity’ spurs legislator debate, national attention”

“Abstinence-centered sexual education bill heads to governor for signature”

“Abstinence and Sex Ed policy by state”

Bill: SB2580/HB2725 (PDF)

Sponsored by Sen. Stacey Campfield, Rep. Julia Hurley, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, et al., and signed into law by Gov. Haslam, SB2580/HB2725 requires applicants for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits to undergo a drug test before receiving such benefits, based on prior suspicion of drug use. An individual who tests positive for controlled substances as a result of a drug test is ineligible to receive TANF for one year; children may receive benefits through a designated sponsor. The act shall take effect on January 1, 2013.

Also: “Welfare drug testing among new Tennessee laws”

“Drug testing and public assistance states ”

Bill: SB3597/HB3576 (PDF)

Sponsored by Senator Beavers and Rep. Mark Pody, but vetoed by Gov. Haslam due to the bill’s application to private institutions, SB3597/HB3576 prohibits certain colleges and universities from denying recognition, privileges or benefits to a student organization or group on the basis of religious content of the organization’s or group’s speech, or based on the manner in which the organization or group determines its organizational affairs.

Despite the veto, Gov. Haslam signaled he would support this bill if it applied only to public universities, saying, “While I don’t agree with Vanderbilt’s policy, as someone who strongly believes in limited government, I think it is inappropriate for government to mandate the policies of a private institution.”

Also: “Gov. Haslam vetoes bill targeting private university Vanderbilt, suggests bill should target public universities only”

“Vanderbilt’s policy change: confronting discrimination or infringing on religious freedom?”