Senate Transportation and Safety Committee opens session, sets rules and schedules agency updates

Chairlady Massey convened the Tennessee Senate Transportation and Safety Committee and outlined procedures members and presenters must follow during the session. She told members that bills should be put on notice by emailing staff with the bill number by noon on Wednesdays to be considered the following week and that the deadline for amendments is 24 hours before the next scheduled committee meeting.

The chair named committee officers for the year, identifying Senator Mark Pote as first vice chair and Senator Brent Taylor as second vice chair, and introduced staff who will support the committee, including legislative assistant Carly Nelson and research analyst Debbie Gasway. The chair said the committee expects updates this session from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the Department of Safety, the Tennessee Aviation Association and the Tennessee Short Line Railroad.

On procedural rules, the chair said the chairman reserves discretion to place bills on the calendar, to 'roll' bills, and to defer substantive amendments when there has not been adequate time for review. She explained the sponsor of any bill may request rescheduling only once and that a sponsor who fails to appear when their bill is scheduled will have the bill returned to the clerk for possible withdrawal from the Senate.

Members were also told that a forthcoming email will set the deadline for license plate and highway-naming amendments and that reminders will be given on the Senate floor as the deadline approaches. Chairlady Massey encouraged presenters to keep testimony brief and to notify staff in advance so the committee can manage time.

The meeting did not take up any bills or formal legislative measures today; it was an organizational session and public-engagement demonstration. The committee adjourned after the chair called for a motion and the motion was seconded.