[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6361737,"mediaKeyId","2170271-3742ca97186e2ff98b74a0ed228cee92","parentId",2170271,"title","House approves immigration enforcement package; creates state division, bans sanctuary policies","audioSeconds",3183,"startMs",10930000,"endMs",14113000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170271-3742ca97186e2ff98b74a0ed228cee92&start=10930&end=14113","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170271-3742ca97186e2ff98b74a0ed228cee92/thumbnail_10930000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361737/Tennessee/House-approves-immigration-enforcement-package-creates-state-division-bans-sanctuary-policies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361737-95f219147fc7ddd4e47f0cf4f5509bf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775401262&Signature=bky8uHdXYB6dLoEHL~N1kUwWRis3kuFt1eO20hUSmSFz0668njJBwyuQ0Zo3FkbA~vBXxacmUVKKz-JoKLcs6phJ4hLk5-DbbijphXylbeOzHMmpwbiCro70bYPLbjmjA0BTgtXS2l0TkVMkIpcTlygoUSyBcct~FLcWzbh7T5j9pMRIPFeBgSEH21Jqkjb-UgfP~tSgKJOJvYWbFFXQhPYGWNU7Or-MJhydKK2kbihV17P6y0hkU1tjT-MigK23Oh2DvZvsQARgX4HLwaVJOAiqA1p959lrUxGepV1wcVrtM9W5aPi8WBbRshh9ELsYWUnFWuRKWe1Yzzd-avYlCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tennessee House of Representatives","date","2025-01-30T21:53:14Z","article","The Tennessee House passed Senate Bill 2, an immigration enforcement package debated throughout the day, by a recorded vote of 72‑22. The bill creates a state immigration enforcement division, authorizes cooperation with federal 287(g) agreements, and includes enforcement provisions aimed at local governments that establish sanctuary policies.

What passed: Sponsors described the measure as a response to unlawful crossings and to localities that, in sponsor view, decline to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The bill requires that driver credentials issued to non‑citizen residents who are not eligible to vote be visibly marked so they cannot be used for voter registration, and it authorizes grants to local governments that choose to participate in the enforcement program. Representative Lou Lambert (Leader) said, “If you come here illegally, you will be deported,” as he described the bill’s enforcement posture.

Contested legal issues: Opponents raised constitutional and immunity concerns. Representative Salinas, who described her family’s immigrant experience and survival after medical and travel emergencies, urged caution and criticized language she said could criminalize officials who help vulnerable people. Several members noted precedent and case law (speakers referenced Plyler v. Doe and Bogan and discussed speech‑and‑debate immunity concerns) and warned the measure could prompt litigation from localities or civil liberties organizations.

Sanctuary‑policy provisions and penalties: The bill contains a state prohibition on sanctuary localities. Floor debate included repeated questions whether a local official who votes for a sanctuary policy could be subject to criminal penalties; sponsors said the statute targets official local policies that contravene state law rather than individualized decisions. Opponents said the speech‑and‑debate clause, and state and federal precedent, protect local legislative votes and cautioned that the language could chill local governance.

Vote and next steps: The House passed the bill 72 to 22. Sponsors said they expect legal challenges will be possible and that the measure is likely to be litigated; supporters said the state needs mechanisms to cooperate with federal authorities on criminal aliens and to prevent local policies that block enforcement.

Ending: The vote advances the measure toward enrollment and gubernatorial action. The floor debate underscored both the political salience of immigration enforcement in Tennessee and the legal questions that will follow implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Floor Session- 4th Legislative Day of the 1st Extraordinary Session- January 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tennessee House approved Senate Bill 2, a broad immigration enforcement package that creates a state enforcement division and bans sanctuary local policies, by a 72‑22 vote.","taxTitle","House Floor , House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",29556,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361742,"Appropriations bill clears House after debate; includes disaster relief and funding tied to scholarship program",566,13727000,14293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170271-3742ca97186e2ff98b74a0ed228cee92&start=13727&end=14293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170271-3742ca97186e2ff98b74a0ed228cee92/thumbnail_13727000.jpg","/articles/6361742/Tennessee/Appropriations-bill-clears-House-after-debate-includes-disaster-relief-and-funding-tied-to-scholarship-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361742-c17d3dfff41fb5c079f7cf2725c97bcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775401262&Signature=EHSJxe6j-~PKvKGooAzA1my~B2RZm92gmft7f9DRZ8c7foi0l5pyfVY0FoBiO8gRzJoiPlfeHSgEkGuUV~p8eaxaRDBYE3MoK4pChqU66lSNCZGL-Tjy-lTHTU1dyAH6EimyBVtCL4IrDpCV5H9hR4AJMRJ~wTyVWrfOU-FgUzq2XpVPfC1nkXu7fX8pjpQA0UAhN-N94sqFD-Uhe6Fz-KOFxlUanAPk-p2BJNh0EWLNxA8cAvJy44RM88iiPKETah65yV6TjiYtZ0LrFOu76BKHqRJz0P4Eai4et7CJ-esjNgHqs77tpRtAXGii3c4-bAVNua6i6spT-uNA0ltgDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee House approved Senate Bill 5, the special‑session appropriations measure that funds disaster relief and implements several of the session’s bills, including allocations tied to the Education Freedom Act and teacher payments. Representative Hicks of Hawkins moved passage; the bill passed on the floor with a recorded vote of 81 in favor and 14 opposed.

What the bill covers: Sponsors described the measure as funding the bills under consideration in the special session: appropriations to support the scholarship program, disaster relief for communities affected by recent flooding (including targeted allocations to Carter and Sevier counties), and nonrecurring and recurring elements for teacher bonuses and facility grants. Representative Hicks told the House the text bundles the special‑session policy bills with the funding required to implement them.

Debate highlights: Republicans and Democrats sparred over procedural questions and whether the funding package should be split so disaster relief could move without contentious policy riders. Representative Clemons asked whether the appropriations contained previously‑set aside funds; committee leaders clarified that monies set aside in earlier budgets and reversions would be combined to fund components of the package, and the bill uses a mix of recurring and nonrecurring dollars to cover the special‑session items.

Key funding elements discussed on the floor included a large allocation for disaster grants (committee discussion cited roughly $240 million in disaster relief and county allocations listed on the floor), a nonrecurring one‑time teacher payment (discussed in the House as approximately $198.4 million for a $2,000 payment), and facility funds tied to sports‑wagering revenue. Committee language and speakers on the floor also referenced $148 million previously set aside for the scholarship program; leaders said that amount would be applied to implement the Education Freedom Act.

Vote and outcome: The House vote on Senate Bill 5 was recorded as 81 ayes, 14 nays. With the House vote the appropriations measure advances in the enactment process which funds the bills debated during the special session.

Ending: Lawmakers signaled that, although disaster relief funds were in the package, continuing fiscal oversight and follow‑up during the regular session is likely to be necessary as implementation details are worked out.","The House approved the session’s appropriations measure (Senate Bill 5) that funds disaster relief, teacher payments and the expenditures connected to the scholarship program debated during the special session. Members debated whether disaster relief and unrelated funding should be joined with the scholarship package.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361747,"Tennessee House passes Education Freedom Act after daylong debate; 20,000 scholarships approved",11034,2227000,13261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170271-3742ca97186e2ff98b74a0ed228cee92&start=2227&end=13261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170271-3742ca97186e2ff98b74a0ed228cee92/thumbnail_2227000.jpg","/articles/6361747/Tennessee/Tennessee-House-passes-Education-Freedom-Act-after-daylong-debate-20000-scholarships-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361747-012343f7e2e2ac6f788f4da4f7b7b38d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775401262&Signature=NljnS~dJngwaE82VWMx4xf26FCU9MUkuDxMHbypYrVU0tj-ZgQox3gZgShnldA0w-kMh3KwWXisY9QvwxmVwGqVglXvMvPVpcP9YHihpFHN9vl0KbYZ10DVM7VXvc3GIJlZf8UsJBW6u0WJVguT2UAZ97HMrLjv1u4woRa6eSeiHhAOuSwa~Unq-D3xNwTB6ivvFAFTmliDNEIa1l74Uqx-dehGA6Kcb32ye4dwg40mBmv65h4ufQtm4MDwXMuS2P2A~GxRd49DG8jc6LjzjysNVQsQgji9zufsz1llxGZoLl7sw4xjdutiUpsccLuGqQ6AXAM1UdOYvthpxrNljDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee House of Representatives passed the Education Freedom Act (House Bill 4) after an extended floor debate over school choice, funding and oversight. Representative Lou Lambert (Leader) moved passage of the bill on third and final consideration; the measure passed 54-44 with one present-not-voting.

The bill creates a 20,000-student scholarship program intended to be funded from the general fund and a portion of sports‑wagering revenues, and includes a one-time $2,000 payment for teachers. Representative Lou Lambert (Leader) said, “There will be 20,000 scholarships, and that is all,” and described the funding package the majority has assembled.

Why it matters: The measure enacts a statewide program to let eligible families use public scholarship dollars at qualifying private schools and to direct a share of sports‑wagering money toward school facility grants. Supporters said the program expands parental options and preserves funding for public schools; opponents said it diverts state resources, creates fiscal risk for local systems and lacks sufficient accountability for private schools.

Vote and process details: The final passage vote recorded 54 in favor, 44 opposed and one present-not-voting. The floor saw scores of proposed amendments; many were debated and ultimately tabled. Lawmakers pressed on specifics including how scholarships would be tested for academic outcomes (TCAP and other nationally normed tests were discussed), whether private schools must meet teacher‑licensing and transparency requirements, how the program would affect the HOPE scholarship and TISA funding, and how sports‑wagering money would be apportioned for facilities.

Supporting details and debate: Opponents repeatedly warned of unintended budgetary consequences for local school systems. Representative Caleb Hemmer, who proposed several amendments, said he was concerned the bill ‘‘robs Peter to pay Paul’’ and warned about long-term effects on lottery‑funded scholarships. Representative Jamila Powell urged attention to recent local school shootings in arguing for additional funding for school capital repairs amid debate over priorities.

Backers said the bill includes provisions to hold local school funding harmless from enrollment shifts. Representative Lou Lambert (Leader) repeatedly emphasized that public school funding would be protected and that the program would not reduce the state’s overall support for K–12 public education.

Where it goes next: With House passage the bill moves to the enrolled bill process and to the governor for signature or veto as applicable under Tennessee procedure.

Ending: Supporters cast the measure as expanding parental choice while preserving state K–12 investment; opponents cast it as a significant reallocation of education dollars that should be handled via broader review in regular session. The House vote resolves the special‑session debate in favor of the measure as written on the floor.
","The House approved the Education Freedom Act (House Bill 4) in a closely watched vote after hours of amendment debate, approving a 20,000-scholarship program funded by state revenues and sports-wagering allocations and a one-time $2,000 teacher payment. Lawmakers on both sides clashed over funding, accountability and effects on public schools.","actionData","errors"]

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House approves immigration enforcement package; creates state division, bans sanctuary policies

Appropriations bill clears House after debate; includes disaster relief and funding tied to scholarship program

Tennessee House passes Education Freedom Act after daylong debate; 20,000 scholarships approved