Legislative Update: 2-28-2020

TSEA February 28, 2020 Comments Off on Legislative Update: 2-28-2020
Legislative Update: 2-28-2020

Lobby Day

TSEA’s 2020 Lobby Day is next week on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. 

TSEA’s annual Lobby Day on the Hill is an opportunity for our members to meet with their district legislators and focus the conversation specifically on TSEA’s legislative agenda items for this year. Lobby Day activities are scheduled Tuesday in the Cordell Hull Building, the House Chamber and the State Capitol. 

This year, our special guest speakers include Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, and Governor Bill Lee. 

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Nashville next week!

FMLA

TSEA remains committed to supporting Governor Lee’s FMLA imitative. It is important to know the legislation is still under development. Please be cautious in trusting media sources to have the most recent and correct information about this ever-evolving issue. TSEA has sources on the front line monitoring the FMLA legislation. We have proven to be an effective voice for all state employees, please use us as your source of information.

Meetings

TSEA had a good week interacting with DCS and DCS employees. The Upper Cumberland area is the latest to implement the CPS reorganization program, which merges CPS services and investigations under one division called the office of child safety. Positions are being added, and despite a few bumps in the road in the Shelby County pilot program, it has been effective both for those people receiving services and for our state employees. Commissioner Jennifer Nichols is proving that her leadership is effective because she listens and reacts to the concerns of employees. She has a sincere heart for Tennessee’s children and families.

TSEA staff also met with Finance and Administration officials and attended several legislative hearings.

Legislative Agenda Update:

A couple of our legislative agenda bills were heard and voted on in legislative committees this week: 

SB1578/HB1615 – Funeral expenses for correctional employees
Sponsors: Sen. Dickerson, Steven, Rep. Hulsey, Bud
Cosponsors: Sen. Crowe, Rusty;  Rep. Griffey, Bruce;  Rep. Hurt, Chris; Sen. Jackson, Ed; Sen. Massey, Becky; Sen. Robinson, Katrina; Sen. Rose, Paul; Sen. White, Dawn; Sen. Yager, Ken; Sen. Yarbro, Jeff

Senate Status: 02/20/20 – Senate deferred to 3/5/20.
House Status:  The House state committee on 2/27 amended the bill and passed it out of their committee. The bill is now set for the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee on 03/04/20.  

SB1773/HB2045 – Increase in the 401(k) match
Sponsors: Sen. Briggs, Richard, Rep. Hicks, Gary

Senate Status: 02/26/20 – Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/03/20.
House Status: 02/26/20 – The House Public Service & Employees Subcommittee passed the bill out of their committee. The bill is now set for the House State Committee on 03/03/20.

Bills scheduled next week:

Tue 3/3/20 10:30 a.m. – House State Committee
SB1773/HB2045 – Increase in the 401(k) match
Sponsors: Sen. Briggs, Richard, Rep. Hicks, Gary
Cosponsors: Sen. Crowe, Rusty; Rep. Lamberth, William

Senate Status: 02/26/20 – Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/03/20.

Tue 3/3/20 10:30 a.m. – Senate State & Local Government Committee
SB741/HB1207 – Provision of childcare for state employees
Sponsors: Sen. Kyle, Sara , Rep. Mitchell, Bo
Cosponsors: Rep. Clemmons, John

House Status: 01/15/20 – Returned to House clerk’s desk.

SB1773/HB2045 – Increase in the 401(k) match
Sponsors: Sen. Briggs, Richard , Rep. Hicks, Gary
Cosponsors: Sen. Crowe, Rusty;  Rep. Lamberth, William

House Status: Set for House State Committee 03/03/20.

Wed 3/4/20 11:00 a.m. – House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee

SB1578/HB1615 – Funeral expenses for correctional employees
Sponsors: Sen. Dickerson, Steven, Rep. Hulsey, Bud
Cosponsors: Sen. Crowe, Rusty;  Rep. Griffey, Bruce;  Rep. Hurt, Chris; Sen. Jackson, Ed; Sen. Massey, Becky; Sen. Robinson, Katrina; Sen. Rose, Paul;  Sen. White, Dawn; Sen. Yager, Ken; Sen. Yarbro, Jeff

Senate Status:  Set on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/5/2020.