[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6622701,"mediaKeyId","2783357-51591b8638341d3f8b87b7aacb889cb7","parentId",2783357,"title","Committee advances bill to reduce private‑prison population if inmate death rate doubles state average; family testimony urges action","audioSeconds",804,"startMs",2120000,"endMs",2924000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2783357-51591b8638341d3f8b87b7aacb889cb7&start=2120&end=2924","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2783357-51591b8638341d3f8b87b7aacb889cb7/thumbnail_2120000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622701/Tennessee/Committee-advances-bill-to-reduce-privateprison-population-if-inmate-death-rate-doubles-state-average-family-testimony-urges-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622701-4500736da60771ecc2eefc9106451a8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644879&Signature=N2jHQQHsClInqi5Gr9wcIrzf4pTmBFRJiUvM0MdOg35XjV6jYg1hCKk6GXDOg08WjNWtj8CXc-3xDJ80FFMwOwQi9Ba9Rx8uThFqmP3nl44~Myuwt3GIeibsUevNYIHQNkklqCYkYSOhNS1axRF8~DOpxRQbFChkMzAPg~gm9Lk8AP2uLbdsPlgKBjY734-mHkEihjrR~WpBye6uW1ScTPTY2YrvNV00kW1SUFMKpPh1N1KlUYwc3Y2ON7H2w9q5plxfENl6U93IrjE4VKQd2fLVzYEsrID-WeOykbLyu-4f4syeyDWNf60uEgJFLSBEAebQlWGy~pbU7-7uY6bEfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN House of Representatives","date","2025-03-26T20:41:11.95Z","article","The State and Local Government Committee on March 19 advanced House Bill 11 44 after amending it and hearing testimony from family members who say private prison conditions contributed to inmate deaths.

Chairman Boyd, sponsor of the measure, told the committee the bill is intended to provide accountability for private prisons by comparing the death rate at private facilities to equivalent state‑operated prisons. Under the bill as described for the committee, if a private prison's death rate over a rolling 12‑month period is more than double that of an equivalent state facility, the Department of Corrections would reduce the population at the private facility by 10 percent and move those inmates to state prisons.

Tim Leeper, a constituent who testified in committee, described the death of his son, Kyle, while incarcerated at a CoreCivic facility in Trousdale County. Leeper said the facility was chronically understaffed, that contraband (including fentanyl) had entered facilities, and that rehabilitative programming was effectively unavailable due to capacity limits. He said overdose deaths and violence were unusually high and attributed his son's death to failures at the private facility. \"CoreCivic can't keep inmates alive,\" Leeper said.

Members asked questions about how the calculation would be made and who would trigger a review. Chairman Boyd said the Tennessee Department of Corrections would review publicly available information and, if it found the double‑rate threshold, would reduce the private facility population; Boyd said precedent exists for moving inmates between facilities for safety and capacity reasons. Committee members also discussed liquidated damages and whether current enforcement tools are effective.

After committee debate and testimony, the committee voted 22 ayes and 0 nays to send the amended bill to Finance, Ways and Means.

The bill as described instructs the Department of Corrections to monitor mortality and take specified population steps if thresholds are met; it does not itself reassign staff or change contracts except as triggered by the specified mortality threshold.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House State & Local Government Committee- March 26, 2025- House Hearing Room 1","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 11 44 was advanced March 19 after testimony from a family member and committee discussion; the bill would require a 10% population reduction at a private prison whose death rate is more than double that of an equivalent state facility, using a rolling 12‑month measure.","taxTitle","2024 Local Government, State and Local Government, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",35387,"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},6622707,"Committee advances bill to move Human Rights Division to attorney general and create civil rights enforcement division",564,1437000,2001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2783357-51591b8638341d3f8b87b7aacb889cb7&start=1437&end=2001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2783357-51591b8638341d3f8b87b7aacb889cb7/thumbnail_1437000.jpg","/articles/6622707/Tennessee/Committee-advances-bill-to-move-Human-Rights-Division-to-attorney-general-and-create-civil-rights-enforcement-division","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622707-3f298a5392c5c0082586727e330b1e60/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644879&Signature=Ib3QFxUd3g2DsKSYHOLjmDVAMd1EJUz6CV6FP8lCYOWFWnFxeXDHDREbog1fJrvkdAys30n4sInbzfPO6j1p4aUw9kkw9z6ESibRyL1hShVkIWiTc2pI8WSa5IEbU~MBpEekQxrzMsYwLVH6wzExko-uS~GHABmejkvy2EMOvhCPCANnVASA0aul0oiv9tQyMsOQ-YP~LZEPFpi~~szEfA~7G6yeZZ73oNBUXYL3tc3vBFyb7ArIO-193z-KwLjb43Ah0GKKgHIC7hXJyIOYQmUEgGrBf31DRXke9k-r1dcMxjFwSck9tHKi8uXV75hGHFPwQF1L1tHy6gz7KZm7jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee on March 19 voted to advance House Bill 9 10, which would move the Tennessee Human Rights Division into the attorney general’s office and create a Division of Civil Rights Enforcement.

Representative Garrett, who carried the bill, said the measure would relocate enforcement authority and add an additional claim allowing discrimination claims based on education. Garrett said the transition is intended to strengthen enforcement by placing civil‑rights enforcement within the attorney general’s office.

Representative Chisholm raised questions about how pending cases would be handled during the transition. Garrett said the bill, if passed and signed by the governor, would become effective on the governor’s signature date; the existing commission would wind down June 30 and the new division would begin July 1, 2025. Garrett said pending cases are authorized by statute to refile if the parties choose and that statute of limitations concerns would not arise as a result of the transition.

Other members voiced concern about shifting enforcement to the attorney general. Representative Powell said he appreciated the goal but asked whether the move would affect fair‑housing cases; Garrett said the intent was to bring enforcement authority under the full weight of the attorney general's office. Representative Palfour said he shared the end goals but expressed reservations about the attorney general's office participating in certain cases. Representative Mitchell objected to the timing and limited questioning during committee consideration and sought more time for questions.

An amendment (ending in 6224) was placed on the bill before consideration. The committee voted 17 ayes and 5 nays to advance the amended bill to Government Operations.","House Bill 9 10 passed the State and Local Government Committee on March 19, 2025. The bill would transfer the Tennessee Human Rights Division to the attorney general’s office, create a Division of Civil Rights Enforcement, and add education as a protected characteristic; the committee voted to send the bill to Government Operations, 17-5.",{"_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},6622711,"Committee approves study of reentry facility to assess housing, work-release options for eligible inmates",264,859000,1123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2783357-51591b8638341d3f8b87b7aacb889cb7&start=859&end=1123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2783357-51591b8638341d3f8b87b7aacb889cb7/thumbnail_859000.jpg","/articles/6622711/Tennessee/Committee-approves-study-of-reentry-facility-to-assess-housing-work-release-options-for-eligible-inmates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622711-1997674cb26337fb3324e51ae1f55247/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644879&Signature=SgqkZvWE012T5dE6OyOCLzK7hPHXWgDij9mpS-C6bjNAXC66H-UFfiVuTD~97jIi3UoK3ifbwLfBrjWDtSuS5nSuO6MktJ5EM1nhlCzsDRN35KqmCYnkGFbijqsjKGCuP6V7zzYOufsDp2876SgQ~hHMX5JpteXBUiytoC4esz4RK8H2kUr-FndgMMLm8Ca3pYdY3wQRqVRzG~fTMdm8kl2p~gvpUZ7LP30hQ4Qt5baNs6IyIuLrKQHdxHq2AhUMf-9kFw2HoEP~IjtEzndCRPDG~~ycN6GnKe4jxykKC6HfNvfeWiYdlovkMeH501cWIFkE~8ZvnsF0r0ln7rQt1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee on March 19 approved House Bill 1090, directing the Tennessee Department of Corrections to study the construction and operation of a facility to house eligible inmates who are preparing to reenter society.

Representative Gantt, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the study will include criteria for selecting inmates for the facility; an assessment of inmates currently unable to participate in work, educational or vocational programs because of capacity constraints; the optimal time for inmates to enter the facility; evaluation of housing inmates who work during the day and return at night; the resources needed to operate the facility; and an assessment of similar facilities in other states and the costs to construct them. The study will be funded through existing Department of Corrections resources and must be submitted to the speakers of the House and Senate by Jan. 1, 2026.

\"By helping eligible inmates reintegrate successfully into society, this bill aims to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and promote successful reentry into communities,\" Representative Gantt said.

Representative Dixie questioned whether the proposal would duplicate existing work‑release programs and asked who would pay for any new facility. Gantt responded that the committee was considering only a study and that decisions about construction, funding and operational details would be addressed in the study's findings.

The committee voted 17 ayes and 2 nays to move the bill to calendar and rules.

If passed in later stages, the study could inform whether Tennessee pursues construction of a new facility or other program changes to expand reentry, but HB 1090 itself only requires the Department of Corrections to submit the study and does not authorize construction or new appropriations.","The State and Local Government Committee approved House Bill 1090 on March 19, 2025, directing the Tennessee Department of Corrections to study construction and operation of a facility for eligible inmates preparing to reenter communities. The study must be submitted to legislative leaders by Jan. 1, 2026; committee vote was 17-2.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":92,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":95,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622696,"Votes at a glance: State and Local Government Committee, March 19, 2025",4579,5438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2783357-51591b8638341d3f8b87b7aacb889cb7&start=859&end=5438","/articles/6622696/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-State-and-Local-Government-Committee-March-19-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622696-6c870a31a1371306ba203993853676f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644879&Signature=YwJXuLKxw1~yd6Q07PdGPhQNmubmpoASw4QwXdp5Lpm9XniTAlKCv5mroDzEqFA~1StL26w~8DEusov7aqIjipusqkAte5M84Ct6SzgVpWrMXHwNm-3JzTkspORv1CsagekKN~tDEymdpuaErOTIt7mPpn5BY6I~mI8ljUWYcXi3pu-HrRfaeZZ4IJKVCulYZ2zYT-qQ8aKeXqKaNVHe-eR4~6-mLD8Wm9kCZhQ897QTPUIxdVPZDFVFzq87d1-XUCXOyyCG8Rya41~y-oAVJRKqRaN45ujJDe4wVeXzpker1GaxL1lMjaf-AnaQ6LHfivzKouLKaOSXRLwVxqobBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee conducted floor consideration and roll‑call votes on multiple bills and resolutions on March 19, 2025. Below is a compact summary of measures acted on in committee, the short description provided on the record and the committee's roll‑call result.

- House Bill 1090 (Representative Gantt): Study of a reentry facility for eligible inmates. Vote: 17 ayes, 2 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 1094 (Representative Butler): Names Southern Stars Synthetic Brass Band as official state brass band. Vote: 19 ayes, 1 nay. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 1420 (Representative Hicks): Allows Rogersville to hold advisory nonbinding referendum. Vote: 21 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 480 (Representative Hicks): Places responsibility on surveyors to draft legal descriptions for newly created parcels. Vote: 21 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 910 (Representative Garrett): Move Human Rights Division to Attorney General; creates Division of Civil Rights Enforcement (amendment added). Vote: 17 ayes, 5 nays. (Moved to Government Operations.)
- House Bill 1418 (Chairman Boyd): Increase special school district board size (3 to 5 members). Vote: 21 ayes, 1 nay. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 1144 (Chairman Boyd): Private‑prison accountability measure (amendment added). Vote: 22 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- House Bill 1405 (Speaker Marsh): Bedford County private act doing away with road board (amendment added). Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 863 (Chairman Faison): Reduce 'in perpetuity' requirement for certain low‑income housing incentives to 30 years (amendment added). Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 756 (Chairman Fazen): Allow veterans to buy into TCRS for up to four years of service. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- House Bill 548 (Leader Cochran): Prohibits procurement of final technology products from foreign adversaries in new contracts (amendment added). Vote: 19 ayes, 2 nays, 1 present not voting. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 550 (Leader Cochran): Allow private retirement providers to present materials to TCRS employers after hours. Vote: 22 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 1415 (Chairman Hastings): Motor vehicle privilege tax modifications for Chester County. Vote: 18 ayes, 2 nays, 1 present not voting. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 1321 (Representative Stinnett): Rename Tourism Division as Marketing Division; formalize welcome centers partnership. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- House Bill 140 (Representative Stinnett): Changes to comptroller audit handling. Vote: 21 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 379 (Representative Stinnett): Clarification under Charitable Solicitation Act. Vote: 22 ayes, 1 nay. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 335 (Chairman Hulsey): Allow Bull Blountville Utility District board members to raise pay from $300 to $500. Vote: 22 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- House Bill 913 (Chairman Vaughn): Require invalid charter amendments to be excluded from the ballot; require 3‑judge panel for challenges. Vote: 19 ayes, 3 nays, 1 present not voting. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 1066 (Chairman Vaughn): Vending program and expanded opportunities for vocational rehabilitation customers (amendment added). Vote: 22 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Bill 462 (Representative Travis): Hybrid/legacy retirement election after 10 years of service for post‑2014 members. Vote: 22 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- House Bill 463 (Representative Travis): Health insurance eligibility after 10 years of service for post‑2014 members. Vote: 20 ayes, 1 nay, 1 present not voting. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- House Bill 577 (Chairman ______): County jail per‑diem adjustment / reimbursement (amendment added). Vote: 23 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- House Bill 1361 (Representative Alexander): Downtown Johnson City premier tourist resort designation for alcohol sale-hour control (amendment added). Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)
- House Joint Resolution 2 (Representative Darby): Proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit statewide property tax. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- House Bill 52 (Representative Bolso): Increase property‑tax exemption for permanently and totally disabled veterans to $250,000. Vote: 21 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Finance, Ways and Means.)
- Senate Joint Resolution 17 (Chairman Bolso): Honor President Jimmy Carter (amendment added). Vote: 22 ayes, 0 nays. (Moved to Calendar and Rules.)

Notes: Committee descriptions are drawn from sponsor explanations on the record. Where the transcript listed a roll‑call tally, that tally is shown; in most cases individual member votes were not read aloud on the record. Items with amendments noted in the transcript were amended before final committee action.","A summary of House bills and resolutions acted on March 19 in the State and Local Government Committee, with vote tallies and brief descriptions based on committee remarks and roll calls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill to reduce private‑prison population if inmate death rate doubles state average; family testimony urges action

Committee advances bill to move Human Rights Division to attorney general and create civil rights enforcement division

Committee approves study of reentry facility to assess housing, work-release options for eligible inmates

Votes at a glance: State and Local Government Committee, March 19, 2025