State and Local Government Committee advances multiple bills, sends TDOC budget to finance

The Senate State and Local Government Committee on March 1 advanced a slate of bills and approved the Department of Corrections’ budget, sending the measures on for further consideration.

The committee acted on more than a half dozen bills during a session chaired by Chairman Briggs and moved each to the calendar or to the finance committee as appropriate. The votes recorded at the meeting were mostly unanimous; several items were referred to calendar and the Department of Corrections budget was referred to finance.

Why it matters: The votes change statutory thresholds and administrative requirements affecting liquor licensing for sports facilities, eligibility for ABLE savings accounts, local government audit enforcement, reporting on local government debt, and ethics/campaign finance oversight. The Department of Corrections budget vote advances spending and contract changes that the department said are intended to reduce staff vacancies and address rising medical costs.

Key votes and actions

- Senate Bill 320 (Massey): Lowers the county population threshold from “in excess of 500,000” to “in excess of 350,000” so a sports authority facility can qualify for a liquor-by-the-drink license. Motion moved by the chair; Senator Hatcher seconded. Tally: yes 9; outcome: referred to calendar.

- Senate Bill 452 (Massey): Amends state law governing ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts to…