Votes at a glance: Key outcomes from the House Government Operations Committee (April 6, 2026)
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Summary
The committee advanced a package of bills to calendar/rules and to committee referrals. Notable votes: HB1913 (Regulatory Freedom Act) passed 12‑1; HB2139 (fraudulent freight theft reporting) 11‑0; HB2539 (licensure consolidation) 9‑1; HB2571 (physician licensure pathway) 9‑1; HB2095 (higher‑ed cleanup) 10‑1; HB1979 (childcare) to Finance 8‑1‑2; HB1581 (inmate oversight extension) 7‑3; HB2055 (insurance coverage limits) 8‑2.
The House Government Operations Committee considered a lengthy calendar and voted to advance multiple bills, summarized here with committee tallies and dispositions.
- HB1913 (Regulatory Freedom Act): 12 ayes, 1 nay. Advanced to calendar and rules; would require agencies to publish rules during a 45‑day notice, seek industry input and prepare fiscal impact statements for rules exceeding $1,000,000 over five years.
- HB2139 (fraudulent freight theft): 11 ayes, 0 nays. Advanced to calendar and rules; establishes a Tennessee statutory definition for fraudulent freight theft and permits expanded reporting to assist insurance claims.
- HB2539 (consolidation of regulatory efficiency): 9 ayes, 1 nay. Advanced to calendar and rules; administrative bill to streamline licensure across multiple health professional boards and permit commissioner rulemaking in certain circumstances.
- HB2571 (physician licensure pathway): 9 ayes, 1 nay. Advanced to calendar and rules; expands provisional training pathways for physicians educated abroad and international graduates to practice in Tennessee under supervision for two years before unrestricted licensure.
- HB2095 (higher education cleanup): 10 ayes, 1 nay. Advanced to calendar and rules; statutory modernization and two authorizing amendments (personnel deliberations and HOPE scholarship timing for foster youth).
- HB1979 (Promising Futures — childcare): 8 ayes, 1 nay, 2 present not voting. Referred to Finance, Ways and Means for fiscal consideration; creates a proposed fund and pilots to expand access and workforce support.
- HB2081 (Second Look Commission reforms): 11 ayes, 0 nays. Advanced to Finance, Ways and Means; expands commission membership and reporting timelines and updates definitions for severe child abuse.
- HB2246 (stem cell therapy safeguards): 10 ayes, 0 nays. Advanced to calendar and rules after legal counsel provided clarifications and sponsors said they would follow up on placenta language.
- HB2290 (IVF licensure): 7 ayes, 3 nays, 1 present not voting. Advanced to calendar and rules; requires physician certification and lab licensure for IVF services.
- HB1581 (inmate disciplinary oversight board extension): 7 ayes, 3 nays. Advanced to calendar and rules; extended the board and the executive director testified on sentence credit reviews and data‑sharing with TDOC.
The committee adjourned after completing the calendar. Members advanced many bills with modest debate; several items were referred to Finance for fiscal review or sent on to the full House calendar.
