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House sets multiple proposed constitutional amendments for second reading
Summary
The Tennessee House read several proposed constitutional amendments on the floor and set dates for second reading, including measures to prohibit a state property tax, expand victims' rights and modify bail language.
The Tennessee House read several proposed constitutional amendments on first reading and scheduled their second reading dates on the calendar, moving several measures forward that would require voter approval at a future statewide election.
Representative Ryan Darby moved the House to concur with Senate Joint Resolution 1, a proposed amendment to Article 2, Section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution that would prohibit the state from levying a property tax; members set the resolution for second reading, a procedural step toward placing the amendment on the statewide ballot. Chairman Doggett moved and the House set Senate Joint Resolution 9 — an amendment to Article 1, Section 35 concerning victims' rights — for second reading. Chairman Howe moved the House to concur with Senate Joint Resolution 25, an amendment to Article 1, Section 15 concerning bail, and set it for second reading on the house calendar.
Those measures must receive two-thirds support in each house and then be approved by the voters at a statewide election under the Tennessee Constitution. On the floor, sponsors described the measures as procedural steps in a multistep process: adoption in both chambers followed by public notice and voter approval.
Representative Darby, in presenting Senate Joint Resolution 1, said the change would prevent the state from imposing a statewide property tax while leaving local governments' taxing authority intact. Sponsors of the victims' rights resolution said their measure would add a standalone constitutional guarantee of victims' rights and clarify the General Assembly's authority to implement procedural protections. The bail amendment proposed by Chairman Howe lists additional offenses that could affect bail determinations and would require a judge or magistrate to place reasons on the record when setting bail for certain serious crimes.
Procedurally, the House read the resolutions into the record and set them for second reading on the calendar; most still require final votes in both chambers and then placement on a statewide ballot for voter approval.
