[{"_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",6610795,"mediaKeyId","2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566","parentId",2901463,"title","Committee recommends ABLE Act update to match federal rules; bill approved 11–0","audioSeconds",107,"startMs",649000,"endMs",756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566&start=649&end=756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566/thumbnail_649000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610795/Tennessee/Committee-recommends-ABLE-Act-update-to-match-federal-rules-bill-approved-110","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610795-1f37565e7834de7205da505af41da170/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042504&Signature=RsPo7dP9ZljwdQvLh49lUk77IFID-iKqw7iMrjYu7nQvui8VbnIQKT7dXSSu0SqBrgUxYAktxgHDYNDYXkpYF9Cof4qEe9Z28dN3Hke8g8yIpHuyFWDIiM99cUPytDPmcgdv4lje3fm81jpDjmkI~isFm3HPci115dtG1xwwYINXTz3hL3RrKFhOAWe0QTZLiNnd5C7s704uZKDDDAew9MXmyw4kSaM3KhiUOrnbkA5YtAl-qsxnxcJNvGntjgW4Rijpohom3madvZIo~X0Ove01S1YhKvtL4AKFJ0QfX-Lhcm8HNwBsvsdY7OEzsemhIAj2QBnB3ySBtRneKYJo9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended Senate Bill 452 for passage on April 8. Sponsor lawmakers described the measure as necessary to align Tennessee's Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program with updated federal regulations so that state ABLE programs retain federal tax-advantaged status.

A sponsor said Tennessee enacted the original ABLE law in February 2015 and that the proposed changes will bring the state's program into compliance with new federal ABLE rules. Committee discussion was brief; a staff explanation noted the bill is funded in the administration amendment. Committee members briefly discussed the risk that failing to align with federal requirements would cause a program to lose tax protections under federal law.

Clerk-roll vote: the committee recorded 11 ayes, 0 nays and recommended SB452 for passage to the calendar committee.

What’s next: SB452 moves to the calendar committee for consideration by the full Senate.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee\tApr 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 452 would modernize Tennessee's ABLE accounts to align with new federal ABLE program regulations; committee approved the bill and reported it to the calendar committee with an 11–0 vote.","taxTitle","Finance, Ways and Means, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",29604,"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},6610800,"Committee advances bill to create 'hunger-free campus' grants but moves funding consideration behind budget talks",265,376000,641000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566&start=376&end=641","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566/thumbnail_376000.jpg","/articles/6610800/Tennessee/Committee-advances-bill-to-create-hunger-free-campus-grants-but-moves-funding-consideration-behind-budget-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610800-c85c77892d3bb6cf51daaff66fe4759f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042504&Signature=o1tsKRUEabZj7uKlVKPx07GogzolYHcCnoWWljasV8XCfGtNOQc5s3WPyW0UmaSGwmKYYmmtwTh8-L6WsfvBI80uExW0XiLHxlanQk7~u6Ni3B7jXQvwXGrz23rJ3ZVPG4dP-P1FlPFovg8drudFo8NxiGJFP6S7QXEvVzXkn30S0XGUYRpvVYaH3Qyxk~I7xKrBWphX~NZzp60VQRDzhoJPEL9-Vxxd2b804Xh9LjEM8PRzoVfiThP5dIlO1rS7RrsCm3zhoiXr8SDOaW2KTVv~FPfguF1LGbmRFZDCKQ8GaUfO0M2JMQGjHBJ~ZW0qf-8gKgpaS55hDOnX2aeYEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee heard Senate Bill 172 on April 8, a measure from the Education Committee that would create a “hunger-free campus” classification and a grant fund to help colleges and universities address student food insecurity.

Sponsor Sen. Jon Massey explained the bill would require a qualifying campus to operate a physical food pantry or partner with a local pantry and establish a food-insecurity task force that includes at least two student members. The grant money could be used to establish or expand campus food pantries, create meal voucher programs for dining halls and support other campus-led mitigation strategies. The bill directs the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to administer the grant and is explicitly subject to legislative appropriations.

The committee considered two finance amendments. Finance Amendment 1 harmonized language with the House version and was adopted by unanimous voice vote. Finance Amendment 2 clarified legislative intent that appropriations are not included in the general appropriations act for the fiscal years specified, and it too passed. After the amendment votes, the sponsor asked the committee to “move this behind the budget” so funding could be considered during House–Senate budget negotiations; the chair and committee agreed with no objection.

Sen. Massey noted a recent THEC report indicating roughly 30% of Tennessee higher-education students report experiencing food insecurity and described the grant program as intentionally flexible so each campus can design responses suited to local needs.

What’s next: SB172 was amended and placed behind the budget for funding consideration during appropriations negotiations.

","Senate Bill 172 would create a 'hunger free campus' classification and grant program to help Tennessee higher-education institutions mitigate student food insecurity. The committee adopted two finance amendments and agreed to move funding decisions behind budget negotiations.",{"_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},6610805,"Committee OKs bill to allow utility-terrain vehicles on roads with speed and safety conditions",1067,3463000,4530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566&start=3463&end=4530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566/thumbnail_3463000.jpg","/articles/6610805/Tennessee/Committee-OKs-bill-to-allow-utility-terrain-vehicles-on-roads-with-speed-and-safety-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610805-d8c588519f566c97672228879d0fba90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042504&Signature=Q1p~CSmhbzhloSzsSp-~IOudj9O7jbprjBGAE6iNgu7t3DM8NrYNfdy5d~SMJe9Z3Zw4Xqy73hOcXlO4T5sNfdx5sqr~4T~d964O8oMo0ojYsMdij~93hotPHSTkczgcfYrW0vuX80tiONoP75YkRokkBGf9qyJlstv-5rmIR8l~lte-jzukb7eKdWE1yd~lugpjV2C0BClDd0gYCatjHY6BYutJM5iGz3-WpHTWbMVKvo1hAMaWTlZUeymrozArgnIbKuq8iQ1cCOOT-DCT5Z00UPT7gB2vmqSlPlV-XMXqmPzeEOzf31T8VfFboJ7MWsrwpOvoJPj~cByfeUawyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee on April 8 recommended for passage a transportation-sponsored bill to allow utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) and similar off‑highway vehicles to operate on roads across Tennessee with specified limits.

Sponsor Sen. Mark Lowe and the Department of Safety said the measure aims to create statewide consistency. Elizabeth Stroker, legislative director and assistant general counsel at the Department of Safety, told the committee the change makes access uniform: “You can operate on any of these local roads as long as the speed limit is not above 45 miles per hour.” She added it excludes the interstate system and keeps existing licensing and insurance requirements in place.

Committee members raised safety questions about vehicle capabilities, lighting, seat belts and whether locals can opt out. Stroker and other department staff said existing safety features must be used if present on the vehicle (for example, factory-installed doors or seat belts), and local governments may opt out of specific roads; the department plans to publish an exclusion list online.

Sen. Sarah Hensley asked if vehicles must be confined to daylight; the witness said that is current law and remains in place. Members also discussed the Adventure Tourism Act and how earlier local authorizations would be grandfathered. After an extended recess to hear agency experts, the committee adopted the amendment and recommended the bill for the calendar by a recorded vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays.

The sponsor and supporters described the measure as pragmatic for a largely rural state, allowing property owners and farm operators to move vehicles across lower-speed roads while maintaining safety and local control.

What’s next: The bill is recommended for passage to the calendar committee. Local governments retain authority to restrict vehicle use on specific roads and the Department of Safety will post exclusions and guidance.

","After extended questioning and testimony from the Department of Safety, the Senate Finance committee recommended a bill that permits ATVs/UTVs on state and local roads with posted speed limits at or below 45 mph, subject to licensing, insurance and local opt-outs.",{"_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},6610810,"Senate panel limits new drugmaker restrictions on 340B safety-net providers, adopts compromise",1445,980000,2425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566&start=980&end=2425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901463-ce6c4d12d612d518cf98eab5f952c566/thumbnail_980000.jpg","/articles/6610810/Tennessee/Senate-panel-limits-new-drugmaker-restrictions-on-340B-safety-net-providers-adopts-compromise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610810-11deb4d8dce5d631cfe869623bb32a8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042504&Signature=byYx21uJSxHxaiI0orbPXC1LsiWKXN1WK4mJUZLFI~7pOJvqXe94L-dm3BeHB-cNUrctUQxDIWymccdFz0g2prq-N-Sw97a5RVRBtr1yHrPiwsWsfDEtkA2oZhqQ6zPAMQRdvWjtVaRCoP89HNxmgRkY98FxtUnPrrBzSHvNkuc7gNEzZOHBzs2j7KA4spbXkjEjxqMXgt7zprT9t8fZkOkAL-X6vs0Qw-HEiD5ry-UVsdsXE-p9Kb9HupayWATf9nWAbC74-YNt6yocKdpo~j-0X76nayK87jrL9e4NcQTaZ4C94HI7AFHfZ3k7GfScFeC2EJEqFFYyQH3XHb9ISg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee on April 8 approved Senate Bill 1414, a measure aimed at curbing certain restrictions pharmaceutical manufacturers place on 340B covered entities and their contract pharmacies.

Supporters said the bill is a negotiated compromise that preserves current audit and data practices in the short term but prevents new manufacturer-imposed limits that could reduce patient access through contract pharmacies. Sen. Brent Briggs, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure “will prevent [manufacturers] from interfering with or restricting safety-net providers' contract pharmacy arrangements, including limiting access to these pharmacies.”

The bill follows months of controversy over whether manufacturers may place limits on contract pharmacies or demand additional data and audits. Briggs said the adopted amendment “grandfathers in” restrictions and requests that existed through June 1, but forbids new restrictions after July 1. He also said oversight responsibilities will rest with the state attorney general rather than splitting enforcement between the attorney general and the Department of Commerce.

Committee questioning focused on how contract pharmacy lists are compiled and whether the bill prevents covered entities from adding contract pharmacies. Dr. Shannon Berger of Simba Community Care in Chattanooga testified that the bill “does not prevent adding new contract pharmacy arrangements,” and explained that the long lists of contract-pharmacy locations often reflect separate registrations for each physical pharmacy site rather than a large expansion of access.

Kristen Pardy of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) described how contract arrangements operate drug-by-drug and said hospitals receive the “spread” between the discounted purchase price and the reimbursement paid by payers. In response to questions about uninsured patients, witnesses and providers described a range of practices; one community clinic director said uninsured patients at their clinic are charged the organization’s cost plus a $4 dispensing fee.

Committee members pressed on whether the bill would curtail audits and data sharing used to verify program compliance. Briggs and witnesses said the compromise preserves existing auditing and data access that manufacturers exercised before the cutoff date but blocks expansion of those requirements going forward. The committee adopted finance amendment 1 and recommended the bill for passage to the calendar committee by a recorded vote of 8 yes, 3 no.

The bill’s sponsor framed the legislation as protecting the federal 340B safety net—hospitals, clinics and community providers that use discounts to fund services—while limiting new manufacturer conditions that sponsors and some providers said were impairing program access in rural areas.

What’s next: SB1414 is recommended to the calendar committee for further consideration.

","The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee approved Senate Bill 1414 after adopting a compromise amendment that preserves existing pharmaceutical audit and data requests through June 1 but bars new restrictions after July 1. Sponsors said the change protects contract pharmacies and rural access while retaining federal and AG oversight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee recommends ABLE Act update to match federal rules; bill approved 11–0

Committee advances bill to create 'hunger-free campus' grants but moves funding consideration behind budget talks

Committee OKs bill to allow utility-terrain vehicles on roads with speed and safety conditions

Senate panel limits new drugmaker restrictions on 340B safety-net providers, adopts compromise