State Bills to Watch
Several key bills are moving through the legislative process and will soon be debated in committees in their respective chambers. These pieces of legislation have the potential to impact our communities significantly, so it’s important to stay informed.
HB1023, introduced by Representative Russell, is on the calendar for the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, March 4, at 10:30 AM. This bill unfairly targets commercial drivers with limited English proficiency, putting their livelihoods at risk and burdening businesses with unnecessary fines.
Under HB1023:
Drivers who cannot read and speak English well enough to meet vague state-defined standards will be taken off the road immediately during inspections.
Their CDL will be suspended until they pass an English proficiency test created by the Tennessee Department of Safety.
The federal government already requires English proficiency for commercial drivers. Tennessee doesn’t need additional bureaucracy, which makes hiring more difficult.
Employers will be financially responsible for fines and fees and could face a $500 penalty for hiring drivers who don’t meet the language requirement.
Oppose HB0322 – Harmful Criminalization of Immigrant Support
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee hearing on HB0322 is set for Wednesday, March 5th, at 9:00 AM. Now is the time to take action!
Take Action Now! Contact the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and tell them to VOTE NO on HB0322!
HB0322, introduced by Representative Barrett, creates new state-level criminal offenses for "human smuggling" and "harboring" while granting the Attorney General broad authority to take legal action - including filing articles of dissolution against businesses or nonprofits he believes have or will engage in human smuggling.
Broad & vague language - This bill could be weaponized against Tennesseans providing basic care or services to immigrants, including nonprofit workers, churches, schools, landlords, and individuals with immigrant family or friends.
Targeting nonprofits - The Attorney General could dissolve immigrant-serving nonprofits based on unproven allegations, undermining critical services.
Chilling effect on service providers - Instead of focusing on supporting communities in need, nonprofits will have to worry about legal threats for simply carrying out their missions.
Oppose SB0836 – EVERY Child Deserves an Education!
Lawmakers have introduced SB0836, a dangerous bill that would allow public and charter schools to deny enrollment to undocumented children—directly violating the U.S. Constitution and our nation’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to education.
SB0836, sponsored by Senator Watson, is set for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee on March 5 at 3 PM.
Oppose HB202 – Voter Suppression Targeting Naturalized Citizens
The House Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee will hear HB202 on Tuesday, March 4th, at 3:00 PM. Now is the time to take action!
HB202, introduced by Rep. Keisling, imposes unnecessary and burdensome voter registration requirements that disproportionately impact naturalized citizens and other eligible voters.
Why This Bill Is Harmful
Creates Barriers for Naturalized Citizens – This bill adds unnecessary hurdles, leading to delays and wrongful voter purges that discourage civic participation.
Unreasonably Short Response Window – If a voter is flagged, they have only 30 days to provide proof of citizenship before being removed. Many may not receive or understand the notice in time, leading to wrongful disenfranchisement.
Creates Confusion and Fear – Requiring extra proof of citizenship beyond federal law confuses voters and deters registration, especially among immigrants, seniors, and rural voters.
Targets Naturalized Citizens – Tennessee already has safeguards to ensure only U.S. citizens vote. This bill unfairly singles out naturalized citizens, subjecting them to more scrutiny, more obstacles, and more risk of losing their rights.
News Across Tennessee
Israel Caucus and Pushback from Community
Tennessee lawmakers Reps. Scott Cepicky and Torrey Harris recently visited Israel on a trip organized by the Israeli government, which led to the creation of a new bipartisan Tennessee-Israel Legislative Caucus. However, the Israeli government covered the travel expenses for both representatives. While there is no law prohibiting lawmakers from accepting such travel gifts, they are required to report these expenses in their official capacity, which neither representative has done yet.
The trip sparked community backlash, particularly after Rep. Harris allegedly misinformed constituents and the media, claiming he had requested to form a Palestinian Caucus but submitting the paperwork on February 27th—just after news broke about the Israel Caucus. The Tennessee House GOP denied Harris' request to form the Palestinian Caucus, with House Speaker Cameron Sexton rejecting the proposal due to concerns about Palestine's support for terrorism. In response, Harris emphasized his duty to advocate for innocent lives on both sides of the conflict, noting that his constituents elected him to speak up for their concerns, even in opposition.
Sexton was Likely Wired for Federal Investigators
Attorneys for former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, claim in a new court filing that House Speaker Cameron Sexton or someone from his office likely wore a wire to assist federal investigators in a corruption probe. Casada and Cothren, who face trial on April 22 for an alleged kickback scheme, argue that prosecutors are withholding the identities of informants who secretly gathered evidence against them. The filing states that at least three confidential sources aided the investigation, but federal prosecutors refuse to disclose their identities, as they do not plan to call them as witnesses. Sexton, who became speaker after Casada resigned in 2019, has been subpoenaed to testify and continues to cooperate with the investigation.
Banning Immigrants without Status from Suing
A new bill (SB791/HB1037) introduced by Tennessee Republicans would bar immigrants without permanent legal status from filing most lawsuits in state courts, including claims for negligence, medical malpractice, and product liability. Legal experts argue the bill violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause by denying legal recourse to a specific group. Critics warn it could enable abuses by individuals and businesses, knowing they couldn’t be held accountable. The legislation is part of a broader push in Tennessee to restrict rights for undocumented immigrants, including efforts to challenge the Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe ruling, which guarantees access to public education regardless of immigration status. A bill was also introduced to force families to either pay for a student's education from K-12 or not attend any schooling.
Budget Crisis for Tennessee DV Centers
Tennessee’s domestic violence and sexual assault service providers face a budget crisis as funding continues to dwindle. More than 100 nonprofits have signed a letter urging the legislature to allocate $25 million annually to victim services, warning that shelters, crisis hotlines, and advocacy programs are at risk of closure. A 30% reduction in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding, combined with ongoing uncertainty around grants, has left organizations struggling to sustain essential services. Without immediate state or federal intervention before July 1, critical support for survivors—including emergency shelter, court advocacy, and crisis hotlines—could be severely reduced or eliminated, creating devastating consequences for victims and public safety.
State Lawmakers are Key to Achieving President Trump’s Domestic Agenda
State governments play a crucial role in shaping national policies, particularly in immigration enforcement, education, crime, and public health. While President Trump has proposed sweeping deportation measures, their success depends on state enforcement. States also control local policies, including policing, schools, and health departments. For example, Tennessee has followed Trump’s recommendation to use taxpayer money for private school tuition, while Democratic-led states have blocked such vouchers. Similarly, Trump’s immigration crackdowns rely on state cooperation, which varies nationwide. It will be important to watch how different states respond to federal and executive orders under this new administration.
ICE Detains Nashville Residents with No Criminal Records
Since President Trump took office on January 20, at least three people in Nashville have been detained during routine ICE check-ins, despite having no criminal record. Many immigrants are required to check in with ICE while waiting for a court date or because they have a removal order but were not previously a priority for deportation. However, missing a court date—even by mistake—can lead to an unexpected removal order. Attorneys say following the rules no longer guarantees safety, especially with new ICE quotas requiring 75 daily arrests per field office. Legal help is also scarce, with few Tennessee lawyers handling detention cases, and many detainees sent to Louisiana, where resources are also limited.
Tennessee Republican Lawmakers Challenge Plyler v. Doe
Tennessee Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow school districts to deny enrollment to undocumented students, challenging the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, which guarantees public education for all children, regardless of immigration status. The bill, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth and Sen. Bo Watson, argues that undocumented immigration strains public resources and that education should be prioritized for legal residents. This bill follows Tennessee's recent special legislative session, which focused on immigration enforcement and a $447 million school voucher plan. Some lawmakers, like Rep. Gino Bulso, have also introduced bills requiring undocumented children’s parents to pay tuition to attend public schools.
Immigration advocates say the bill won’t take effect soon due to potential legal challenges but note that recent policies have already created fear within immigrant communities, with many avoiding public spaces or work. Critics, including Sen. Raumesh Akbari, argue the bill is unconstitutional and a distraction from addressing actual issues in public school funding. It also contributes to a growing pattern of controversial policies that lawmakers expect to be challenged in court.
Legal Battles Erupt Over New Immigration Policy
Tennessee’s new immigration bill, passed quickly in a special legislative session, is already facing legal challenges. The bill offers local governments incentives for stricter immigration enforcement, but also threatens jail time for local officials who don’t comply. Critics, including the ACLU of Tennessee, argue that the bill violates constitutional rights by threatening officials with felony charges for how they vote.
The bill, backed by Gov. Bill Lee, is seen as aligning with President Trump’s immigration agenda, pushing local governments to assist in mass deportations. While Tennessee doesn’t have sanctuary cities, the bill could charge officials with a Class E felony, punishable by up to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine.
Despite concerns over its constitutionality, the bill passed in both chambers. The ACLU plans to challenge it in court, while local officials, including Nashville’s Immigrant Caucus, have vowed to fight it.
News Across America
Government Shutdown Looms Over
Congress is nearing a deadline to avoid a government shutdown, with disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over funding. Democrats want to ensure that President Trump follows Congress' spending plans, while Republicans oppose this.
Funding expires on March 14, and bipartisan support will likely be needed to keep the government open. In the Senate, Republicans control 53 seats, but 60 votes are needed for passage. The House has a narrow Republican majority, with conservatives often opposing spending bills.
House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested a "clean" continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels. Trump has backed this approach. However, Democrats are holding Republicans accountable, saying any shutdown would be their responsibility. They also want Republicans to work with them to ensure Congress retains control over spending decisions.
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