[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",6092745,"mediaKeyId","2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5","parentId",2852419,"title","Votes at a glance: State and Local Government Committee (selected items from hearing)","audioSeconds",2536,"startMs",832000,"endMs",3368000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5&start=832&end=3368","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5/thumbnail_832000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6092745/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-State-and-Local-Government-Committee-selected-items-from-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092745-73c7fafd6638ff58b64436f46576c723/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208216&Signature=PEHStbDiBpT60rp9v2~uTjDCWCqjuuC68C4NwIa~utWql~6UN~fMDolCmHPiR9zxMbVvqSmM-YI2Z7VCaEu88Ph90X28RmnW-QZpWmIuoigdfOQPuDl12XTfx6OqSBUMLL9KdJvQ9O6urVPX9389IlNl7zsI-6wS98VM6IPnQD8wnyIwmgKUT~CfyeCyLZzWSbIXIdHo9E7yN-3mVhZoced2z-3vkDDjsQILQeURYL6wacPQRa3EMjjFLsEEdoLMrkGpVmu6RU1BarHjEUuqmp66Vpl9A9aMuJpwIFgO-EJS6TjF6sSdhlUuxWMzVpzjYPkRwbtalpiPyFX77UR66w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tennessee Legislature","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","The State and Local Government Committee recorded votes on many bills during its session. Below are the committee outcomes for selected items taken directly from the hearing transcript, with motion text, vote tallies and next steps as recorded by the clerk.

Votes at a glance

- Senate Bill 212 (item 46) — Amendment adopted; bill passed out to calendar. Committee recorded: 7 ayes. Outcome: passed to calendar.

- Senate Bill 11 93 (item 47) — Amendment adopted; bill passed to calendar. Committee recorded: 9 ayes. Outcome: passed to calendar.

- Senate Bill 626 (item 45) — Election-list maintenance provisions (see fuller article). Committee recorded: 7 ayes, 2 nos. Outcome: passed and moved to calendar.

- Senate Bill 621 (item 44) — Campaign reporting/ corporate communications reporting provisions (amendment adopted; bill passed). Committee recorded: 9 ayes. Outcome: passed to calendar.

- Senate Bill 136 (item 43) — Permissive electronic voting for local bodies as amended (sunset provision added). Committee recorded: 8 ayes, 1 no. Outcome: passed to calendar.

- Senate Bill 13 16 (item 1) — Lehi Is More Act / licensure and virtual meetings (amendment adopted). Committee recorded: 8 ayes, 1 no. Outcome: passed to calendar.

- Senate Bill 760 (item 9) — Public notice website / newspaper notice amendments (technical amendment adopted). Committee recorded: 9 ayes. Outcome: passed to calendar.

- Senate Bill 799 (item 3) — Party nominating procedures (primaries vs. caucuses). Committee recorded: 8 ayes, 1 no. Outcome: passed to calendar.

- Senate Bill 1072 (item 4) — Agriculture/winery tax exemption (passed to finance). Committee recorded: 8 ayes. Outcome: passed to finance.

- Senate Bill 1080 (item 8) — Real-estate transfer tax allocation to counties (passed to finance). Committee recorded: 8 ayes. Outcome: passed to finance.

- Senate Bill 542 (item 11) — Investment divestment from foreign ownership (passed). Committee recorded: 8 ayes, 1 no. Outcome: passed to calendar.

- Senate Bill 530 (item 12) — TRICARE premium reimbursement grants for Guard members (passed). Committee recorded: 9 ayes. Outcome: passed to finance.

- Senate Bill 396 (item 14) — Legislative termination power for gubernatorial emergency declarations (as amended). Committee recorded: 6 ayes, 2 nos, 1 present-not-voting. Outcome: passed and moved to finance.

- Senate Bill 337 (item 37) — Shelby County temporary sales tax for jail construction. Committee recorded: 7 ayes, 2 nos. Outcome: passed to calendar and finance; county action required for referendum.

- Senate Bill 330 (item 30) — Legislative corrections ombudsman. Committee recorded: unanimous (9 ayes). Outcome: passed and referred to finance.

- Senate Bill 1036 / series (various items) — Multiple bills related to elections, licensure and local governance were acted upon; see committee transcript for roll-call specifics.

Notes and caveats: The committee adopted and debated many additional bills during the session; this roundup covers selected items where an official roll‑call tally and immediate outcome were recorded in the transcript. Each listed result is drawn from the clerk’s roll call recorded live during the hearing.

Full transcript references for votes are below in the article provenance block.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State and Local Government Committee\tApr 2, 2025\t8:24 AM","oneSentenceSummary","This roundup lists bills and recorded committee outcomes on the State and Local Government Committee agenda. It summarizes motions, results and next steps for each voted item during the session.","taxTitle","State and Local Government, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",36809,"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},6092750,"Senators back creating a legislative corrections ombudsman to probe prison problems and recommend fixes",217,1943000,2160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5&start=1943&end=2160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5/thumbnail_1943000.jpg","/articles/6092750/Tennessee/Senators-back-creating-a-legislative-corrections-ombudsman-to-probe-prison-problems-and-recommend-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092750-e2c9400934589333a00c14cbeea8e50c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208216&Signature=O7BSx1bOfvfvPZ58~8g9t1aoR8v7mv8U9Li--lx4pj~ETQlxnEK30BZkFvjI-q6TGgGhntmgfDYz8EABAiMre8dW2kKMnQnXSXtYvRMWsuvn2ztCQpAB6L~cFKew-l~tCJFBmsP7R1yVOuIEzzE6t1nTDX3Z5MRwlgiTt~WuC4yG5XtysG9vqgynNWGG3eX7ZlCvUen0xFRnkkinVXQ1UaU616sIlygZZj70QuqAiaPHBmFMDeMm~jBvg1OngxBvVhHPxI7~KqMFUWUNZcrVML2TiwKupYHg19yH-7uzO4IRDils4CKOLsExt3q~SpmbOCsKmW5YXsD-MC7JQzamcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee voted to create a legislative ombudsman office that could investigate complaints and systemic problems in Tennessee’s correctional facilities.

Senate Bill 330, as amended, would establish an ombudsman function under legislative authority to receive complaints, investigate conditions inside correctional facilities at the direction of the General Assembly, and recommend reforms aimed at reducing risk and improving operations. Sponsor Chairman Jackson cited recurring staffing shortages, safety incidents and smuggling of contraband items — including phones — as reasons for legislative interest in a dedicated oversight office.

Jackson framed the office as a counterpart to other legislative review functions that already exist for areas such as long‑term care and child services. “We want an additional expert, independent voice that can review operations and identify corrective steps,” the sponsor said in committee remarks. Several senators emphasized the need to support correctional officers and reduce dangerous conditions for staff and incarcerated people.

The committee approved SB 330 and moved it to the Senate Finance Committee, noting the new office would require staffing and a budget; the vote was unanimous in committee.

Why it matters: Lawmakers cited ongoing incidents and staffing shortfalls in correctional institutions and said a legislative ombudsman's office could strengthen oversight and prompt remedial action.

Next steps: The measure will go to the finance committee for a fiscal estimate and then return to the Senate calendar for further action.","The committee voted to create a legislative ombudsman office for the Department of Correction, following testimony that chronic staffing shortages, smuggled cell phones and safety issues require better legislative oversight and a standing investigatory presence.",{"_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},6092755,"Committee advances Shelby County sales-tax referendum for new jail after testimony describing overcrowding, lawsuits",911,1152000,2063000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5&start=1152&end=2063","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5/thumbnail_1152000.jpg","/articles/6092755/Tennessee/Committee-advances-Shelby-County-sales-tax-referendum-for-new-jail-after-testimony-describing-overcrowding-lawsuits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092755-37fc05c7dc2f5f8d0bdec4b953f8b18b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208216&Signature=F38JAlFjVGC9J-lMHgLDy6Y-fXtuEUzkgaWYTcunNrlc63C~Zd7I-mU3rZVpUd1qZtm-6AvsEsSWmZDu2nsH3nKqHaor1BpLc8DUpWUg4wXmXwhGlvoE4C2qyHsKRJN0SJuDdPSAkUK956jMF~yPWg~UD4npK3befn~i9f5ujjhv5MV~abDDgPZxsq3xz0oRijgbUlFZc1NKAIrTJi0zF9Yf72NOjqKGpyRUYPSAlQTKV3Gb1xfU-ULMN1wL~Iyc4YfmB0mAkLo-~O-hM~zWM1Y9mPVfsxLbveJFebg~WzK1DFTWzmkC-15cNzaB8Zy8Neje-tmhH2iPD-LH0Gs7-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee approved a resolution enabling Shelby County to seek voter approval of a temporary local-option sales-tax increase to fund construction of a new county jail.

Under Senate Bill 337, Shelby County would be authorized by state law to adopt, by local resolution and public referendum, a temporary sales-tax increase whose revenue would be dedicated to construction of a new jail or to pay debt service on such a project for a period of eight years or until the debt is repaid.

Shelby County Commissioner Amber Mills, speaking for the county commission, told the committee the current jail — at 201 Poplar Street — is overcrowded and needs replacement. Mills said the county does not want a property-tax increase to pay for a new jail and estimated the tax alternative would better spread costs across both residents and visitors; a property-tax option, she said, would amount to about a 74-cent increase on the county tax rate.

Alicia Lindsey, Shelby County’s chief administrative officer, said the facility was built in 1981 with an annex added in 2002 and that the county has already spent or encumbered roughly $16.5 million just to keep the existing jail functioning. She told the committee that a sales‑tax option would be the most feasible way to finance a new facility and avoid large interest costs the county would face with debt alone.

Committee members probed the policy and logistics of such a referendum and several members urged sensitivity to taxpayers while recognizing the jail’s condition. Senator Kyle, among others, supported giving Shelby County the option, calling the measure a responsible approach for an urgent public-safety infrastructure need.

The committee recorded 7 ayes and 2 no votes; SB 337 was referred to the Senate calendar and the finance committee for follow-up on fiscal details.

Why it matters: Advocates said a new jail is needed for public safety and to resolve ongoing litigation and liability associated with the current facility. Opponents said the measure would raise local sales taxes and asked that all alternatives be carefully considered.

What’s next: SB 337 passed the committee and will be considered on the Senate calendar; finance and local officials will work on fiscal mechanics and the county will need to approve a local resolution and voter referendum in the event of final passage.","The committee approved a resolution authorizing Shelby County to put a temporary local sales-tax increase to voters to fund a new county jail. Commissioners and Shelby County officials told the panel the existing facility is overcrowded and under frequent litigation, and said the sales‑tax option avoids a property‑tax hike.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6092760,"Senate committee advances bill to restore voter list maintenance option; debate centers on removing inactive voters after two election cycles",591,1044000,1635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5&start=1044&end=1635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2852419-209b2f91df652352264b61f774f399f5/thumbnail_1044000.jpg","/articles/6092760/Tennessee/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-restore-voter-list-maintenance-option-debate-centers-on-removing-inactive-voters-after-two-election-cycles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092760-f4ea3fb1b55e149e85b6e795ec692971/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208216&Signature=flWnNqlh3ofrfx~rxTtiEy~2tQtiij~XRTnvlDjCzccKEsjC6UshyzEPlnqes6b3Gw3a7cWmxaTq1JydRnpeiAxBFps577zLg4MbsFKIFFCHUkif4BZAkVflPyTnZQXP26s7oagaO6mD7zQSLaY1cGetiyEaFDziftPvyjYQuLoefB-3SXIgICy6M23B1gr4Zizle3MM3rw~-FsHj4M~OrBd7Sb1vP4lHQdYrIXG4dgoYrbLJsFQZKVlQ6cFOpGHFzs-DOr2ueMdrH9icBbh2ynY23ZWAwEoqDPNlOhjDu-~fHsfqVYWq4oVYgnsA23k8MuSyjuPatYaU0LZWt0qaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee advanced a bill that would restore a process for removing inactive voters from Tennessee’s voter rolls and add upfront cross-checks when people register.

The legislation, Senate Bill 626 as amended, would allow county election commissions to work with the state coordinator of elections and state agencies to verify new registrations and resume a voter-list maintenance approach that removes a person after they fail to respond to an address-confirmation notice and then have no activity for two subsequent federal elections (a period the state’s elections coordinator described as approximately eight years).

Committee members spent most of the discussion asking whether the change would risk disenfranchising valid voters. Senator Yarbrough asked why two missed elections should justify removal and raised concerns about voters who might be valid but temporarily inactive. Mark Goins, Coordinator of Elections, told the panel that the process would preserve notice and opportunity to respond: “If you... don’t confirm your address and you don’t have any activity for two more election cycles... then you’ll be removed,” Goins said, describing the existing notification steps and the ordinary eight-year timeline used previously.

Goins said the process is intended as list maintenance to detect people who have moved, not to block eligible voters. He told the committee the U.S. Supreme Court had previously upheld a similar option after the Sixth Circuit had limited it in another state. Several senators pressed for clarification about how federal executive guidance and the department practices might interact with the proposed law.

After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 626 as amended. The motion recorded 7 ayes and 2 no votes and the bill was moved to the calendar.

Why it matters: The bill returns a list‑maintenance tool to Tennessee counties that election administrators say helps keep voter rolls current. Critics worry the restored measure could cause eligible voters to be removed if notice procedures fail or if the process is not well-publicized.

What comes next: The bill will go to the committee of the calendar and then to the Senate calendar for further consideration; implementation questions and interactions with federal guidance were flagged for follow-up by lawmakers.

Sources: Remarks on SB 626 from Mark Goins, Coordinator of Elections; questions and statements from members of the State and Local Government Committee during the hearing.","The State and Local Government Committee advanced Senate Bill 626 after debate on whether officials should be allowed to remove voters from rolls after two federal elections of inactivity. Elections Coordinator Mark Goins and lawmakers exchanged views on how the process would work and on safeguards for voters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: State and Local Government Committee (selected items from hearing)

Senators back creating a legislative corrections ombudsman to probe prison problems and recommend fixes

Committee advances Shelby County sales-tax referendum for new jail after testimony describing overcrowding, lawsuits

Senate committee advances bill to restore voter list maintenance option; debate centers on removing inactive voters after two election cycles