20-HB2291/SB2268 – Hulsey/Pody
Bill Description
Assumption for the bill as amended:
Prohibiting the governor or the chief executive officer of a local government from requiring a law enforcement agency or officer to enforce a provision of an executive order that requires a private business to close or restricts the freedom to peacefully assemble or travel will not significantly impact state or local government revenue or expenditures.
TLRC Position
A strong YES! "Law" Enforcement is intended to enforce LAWS. The executive branch is not authorized to make law. Only the legislative branch can do that. Executive orders can be voluntarily complied with but cannot legally be enforced by members of law enforcement.
TLRC Observed Process
The house sponsor, Bud Hulsey, made a colloquially eloquent and impassioned introduction of this bill. It is worth hearing @ 1:20 on House Floor session video: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx? BillNumber=HB2291
HOUSE PUBLIC SERVICE & EMPLOYEES SUBCOMMITTEE: 3/11/2020 Ayes Prevail
HOUSE STATE COMMITTEE: 5/27/2020 Ayes Prevail, Rep(s). Beck, Love, Powell recorded as voting No
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: Ayes Prevail …This means it would be considered on the floor by the entire house; Placed on Regular Calendar for 6/8/2020 6/4/2020
But then action was deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee so the bill was dead.
Vote Result: Committee Only
