The 2013 legislative session is starting to wind down, and we have fewer bills moving. But we still need all hands on deck contacting legislators about the bills that are moving. Important items moving this week include:

2nd Amendment Preservation,
Permanent ban on a state income tax,
Stopping the Obamacare Medicaid expansion, and
State non-compliance with federal indefinite detention without due process under the NDAA.

You can follow our “Legislative Mischief Alerts” to several bills where we know legislators or perhaps even Governor Haslam are engaged in underhanded tactics to block good bills. Be sure to let legislators know you are on to these tactics when you contact them.

Please contact the legislators listed for each bill. Remember to be polite, but firm in your communications with legislators. Remember that on short notice phone calls always count for more than e-mails. We need to flood legislators with support for these bills.

Also, if you can be there, we need to pack these rooms with as many bill supporters as possible. Be sure to dress professionally.

2nd Amendment Preservation

HB1218 by Rep. Susan Lynn / SB0795 by Sen. Janice Bowling

Official Summary: As introduced, prohibits the allocation of state or local public funds, personnel or property to the regulation or enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule or regulation, or any treaty signed by the United States, that becomes effective on or after January 1, 2013, that imposes restrictions on citizens who lawfully possess or carry firearms in this state.

TN-TAC Comments: This bill is a state noncompliance bill to protect firearms ownership in Tennessee. It is a very simple bill that declares that state funds, personnel or property assets may not be used to implement gun control here in the state. As the federal government often depends on the states to do their dirty work on their unconstitutional actions, this could have great effect in protecting Tennessee Firearms owners.

Note that the previous arguments that Sen. Brian Kelsey has had about federal supremacy and the judicial system hold no water on this bill. The Supreme Court has long upheld that the federal government cannot force the states to enforce federal law and there is ample case law to support this for those who still wrongfully believe that the Supreme Court has the ultimate authority to determine what is and is not constitutional.

For more information on the case law and other details, see: http://tennessee.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2013/04/tennessee-act-now-to-help-nullify-gun-control/

Bill Status House: Taken off notice for calendar in House Civil Justice Subcommittee
Bill Status Senate: Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/9/2013

Full Text:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/HB1218.pdf
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/SB0795.pdf

Senate Judiciary Committee:

Sen. Brian Kelsey, Chair
615-741-3036 sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov

Doug Overbey, 1st Vice-Chair
615-741-0981 sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Stacey Campfield, 2nd Vice-Chair
615-741-1766 sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mike Bell
615-741-1946 sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Lowe Finney
615-741-1810 sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Ophelia Ford
615-741-1767 sen.ophelia.ford@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Todd Gardenhire
615-741-6682 sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mark Green
615-741-2374 sen.mark.green@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. John Stevens
615-741-4576 sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov

For copy and paste to e-mail programs: sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov; sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov; sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov; sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov; sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ophelia.ford@capitol.tn.gov; sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov; sen.mark.green@capitol.tn.gov; sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov

HB0042 by Rep. Joe Carr / SB0100 by Sen. Joey Hensley

Official Summary: As introduced, prohibits the enforcement and prosecution of certain federal law implemented or executed on or after January 1, 2013, concerning certain firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition.

TN-TAC Comments: This bill would stop a federal ban of semi-automatic firearms, accessories and ammunition in Tennessee and would impose criminal penalties on anyone attempting to enforce such a ban.

Bill Status House: Failed in House Civil Justice Subcommittee – Nays prevail in voice vote (Lundberg and Carter recorded voting yea)
Bill Status Senate: Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee Calendar for 4/9/2013

Full Text:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/HB0042.pdf
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/SB0100.pdf

Video:
View the video to see the legislators responsible for killing this bill in the House.
March 13, 2013 House Civil Justice Subcommittee – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hop94ISKoPs

Senate Judiciary Committee:

Sen. Brian Kelsey, Chair
615-741-3036 sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov

Doug Overbey, 1st Vice-Chair
615-741-0981 sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Stacey Campfield, 2nd Vice-Chair
615-741-1766 sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mike Bell
615-741-1946 sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Lowe Finney
615-741-1810 sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Ophelia Ford
615-741-1767 sen.ophelia.ford@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Todd Gardenhire
615-741-6682 sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mark Green
615-741-2374 sen.mark.green@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. John Stevens
615-741-4576 sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov

Anti-Obamacare

HB0937 by Rep. Jeremy Durham / SB0804 by Sen. Brian Kelsey

Official Summary: As introduced, prohibits Tennessee from participating in any Medicaid expansion authorized under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

TN-TAC Comments: While grassroots pressure may have gotten Haslam to forego creating a state exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for now, that isn’t the only part of Obamacare that needs to be stopped.

Governor Haslam has issued letters indicating that he is actively opposing this bill, indicating that he may be leaning towards expanding Medicaid in Tennessee.

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/21679464/haslam-opposes-bills-about-medicaid-expansion

The PPACA mandated the states expand their Medicaid programs, but the federal government is only willing to provide funding for 3 years. After that, the burden falls to the state governments.

TennCare is the Medicaid program for Tennessee, and as you recall a few years ago after a massive expansion, Governor Phil Bredesen had to drastically prune TennCare to ensure the state didn’t go bankrupt. Do we really want to undo that and put the state of Tennessee that close to insolvency again when the federal funds run out?

Further, when the Supreme Court ruled on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the justices declared the Medicaid expansion mandate unconstitutional, and further that the federal government couldn’t take existing Medicaid funds away from the states if they refuse to comply with the mandate. As such, this should require no real courage for Tennessee’s state legislators to simply go along with the Supreme Court’s decision and refuse to implement the Medicaid expansion.

Legislative Mischief Alert: An amendment was introduced in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and another in the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee to neuter this bill so that no longer prohibits the Medicaid expansion. Instead, it would state that the expansion must be authorized by the legislature. Further, the same day the House Insurance and Banking Committee deferred the bill until January 2014, giving Governor Bill Haslam the ability to implement the Medicaid expansion deceptively, before the state legislature can prohibit it. View the amendment at http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Amend/SA0317.pdf.

Even though Haslam came out and said that he would not implement the Medicaid expansion, he released emails and other information that indicates that he is actually going to implement it. For more details on Governor Haslam’s deception, visit http://americansforprosperity.org/tennessee/legislativealerts/haslams-sneaky-expansion/.

Contact the members of the committees below and demand that they move the bill forward WITHOUT amendment.

Bill Status House: Action deferred in the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee until 2014
Bill Status Senate: Placed on Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2013

Full Text:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/HB0937.pdf
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/SB0804.pdf

Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee:

Sen. Randy McNally, Chair
615-741-6806 sen.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Douglas Henry, Chairman Emeritus
615-741-3291 sen.douglas.henry@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Bo Watson, 1st Vice-Chair
615-741-3227 sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Doug Overbey, 2nd Vice-Chair
615-741-0981 sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Steven Dickerson
615-741-6679 sen.steven.dickerson@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Lowe Finney
615-741-1810 sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Ferrell Haile
615-741-1999 sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Joey Hensley
615-741-3100 sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Bill Ketron
615-741-6853 sen.bill.ketron@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Jim Kyle
615-741-4167 sen.jim.kyle@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mark Norris
615-741-1967 sen.mark.norris@capitol.tn.gov

For copy and paste to e-mail programs: sen.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov; sen.douglas.henry@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov; sen.steven.dickerson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov; sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.ketron@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jim.kyle@capitol.tn.gov ; sen.mark.norris@capitol.tn.gov

NDAA Indefinite Detention

HB1059 by Rep. Courtney Rogers / SB1290 by Sen. Jim Summerville

Official Summary: As introduced, prohibits certain entities and employees of this state from assisting an agency of the armed forces of the United States in the investigation, prosecution or detention of United States citizens in certain circumstances.

TN-TAC Comments: The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, or NDAA, included provisions that allowed for the indefinite detention of Americans on U.S. soil with no warrants or access to due process. This is anathema to everything we believe as Americans.HB1059/SB1290 prohibits state or local officials from cooperating with the federal government attempts to kidnap and indefinitely detain any American citizens within the state of Tennessee under the auspices of NDAA 2012.

Bill Status House: Failed in House State Government Subcommittee – Nays prevail in voice vote (Butt and Evans recorded voting yea)
Bill Status Senate: Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/9/2013

Full Text:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/HB1059.pdf
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/SB1290.pdf

Senate Judiciary Committee:

Sen. Brian Kelsey, Chair
615-741-3036 sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov

Doug Overbey, 1st Vice-Chair
615-741-0981 sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Stacey Campfield, 2nd Vice-Chair
615-741-1766 sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mike Bell
615-741-1946 sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Lowe Finney
615-741-1810 sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Ophelia Ford
615-741-1767 sen.ophelia.ford@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Todd Gardenhire
615-741-6682 sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mark Green
615-741-2374 sen.mark.green@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. John Stevens
615-741-4576 sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov

State Income Tax

SJR0001 by Sen. Brian Kelsey

Official Summary: Proposes an amendment to Article II, Section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution to explicitly prohibit any state or local taxation of payroll or earned personal income or any state or local tax measured by payroll or earned income.

TN-TAC Comments: While this is not a Tenth Amendment bill, abolishing a state income tax via constitutional amendment is in everyone’s interest in Tennessee. As such, the Tennessee Tenth Amendment Center is supporting this amendment.

Bill Status House: Placed on House Regular Calendar for 4/8/2013
Bill Status Senate: Passed and referred to House.

Full Text:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/SJR0001.pdf

Contact Your Representative: If you do not know who your representative is, use the “Find My Legislator” tool on the Tennessee General Assembly web site. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/

Bad Bills

Prohibits Use of State Funds and Assets for Federal Gun Control - But Will Enforce Federal Gun Control if Feds Pay State to Do So:
SB0040 by Sen. Frank Niceley / HB0010 by Rep. Jeremy Faison

Official Summary: As introduced, 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.

TN-TAC Comments: On the surface, this looks like a good bill – until you read the phrase “unless federal funding for such implementation, regulation or enforcement is provided to the state or political subdivision.”

The bill would codify in Tennessee law that the natural right to keep and bear arms of Tennesseans is for sale to the highest bidder – in this case the federal government.

Unless the phrase is removed from the bill, the Tennessee Tenth Amendment Center will oppose this bill.

Bill Status House: Failed for lack of motion in House Civil Justice Subcommittee
Bill Status Senate: Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/9/2013

Full Text:
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/SB0040.pdf
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/108/Bill/HB0010.pdf

Senate Judiciary Committee:

Sen. Brian Kelsey, Chair
615-741-3036 sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov

Doug Overbey, 1st Vice-Chair
615-741-0981 sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Stacey Campfield, 2nd Vice-Chair
615-741-1766 sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mike Bell
615-741-1946 sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Lowe Finney
615-741-1810 sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Ophelia Ford
615-741-1767 sen.ophelia.ford@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Todd Gardenhire
615-741-6682 sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mark Green
615-741-2374 sen.mark.green@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. John Stevens
615-741-4576 sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov