Campaigns for week of March 18
ACTION ITEMS
KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP
Tuesday, March 19 is a big day for committee hearings on discriminatory bills starting at Noon with the last committees starting at 4:30 p.m. If you want to arrive a little early, we'll be in the cafeteria of the Cordell Hull Building starting at 11:00 a.m. To learn more and RSVP, go to this event link. If you know you are going to be there and want to talk about a special assignment, email us at [email protected] .
KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS
*Use this easy form to tell your member of the TN House of Representatives to vote NO on HB2169, the adoption/foster care discrimination bill. It is on the House floor on March 21.
*Use this easy form to tell the members of the House Civil Justice Committee to vote NO on HB2310, the bill on criminalization stigma for travel related to gender-affirming care.
*Use this easy form to tell members of the House K-12 Subcommittee to vote NO on HB1634 that removes sexual orientation from education policy and gender identity from the family life curriculum and NO on HB2165 that forces schools to out trans and non-binary students.
*Use this easy form to tell members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Criminal Justice Committee to vote NO on SB2781/HB1949, a horrible anti-transgender bathroom bill.
*Use this easy form to tell members of the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee to vote NO on HB1386, a bill that provides a separate marriage registration option for man/woman couples, on March 19.
FULL CALENDAR
Events marked in blue contain high priority bills.
MONDAY, MARCH 18
1:30 p.m. Government Operations. Bills: HB1661.
3:00 p.m. House Higher Education Subcommittee. Bills: HB2784.
4:00 p.m. House floor. Bills: HB2435.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Noon. House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee. Bills: HB2936, HB1386.
1:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee. Bills: SB2781.
4:30 p.m. House Criminal Justice Committee. Bills: HB1949, HB1614.
4:30 p.m. House K-12 Subcommittee. Bills: HB1634, HB2165.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
10:30 a.m. House State Government Committee. Bills: HB2610.
Noon. House Civil Justice Committee. Bills: HB2310.
2:00 p.m. Senate Education Committee. Bills: SB1858, SB2501, SB2767.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
9:00. House floor. Bills: HB2169.
Campaigns for week of March 11
THE CAMPAIGNS BELOW HAVE EXPIRED. GO TO THIS LINK FOR THE CAMPAIGNS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 18!
ACTION ITEMS
KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP
Tuesday, March 12 starting at Noon presents several opportunities to show up. Committee hearing start times run through 4:30 p.m. Central Time in the Cordell Hull Building. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.
KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS
UPDATE: The bill was defeated. No need to do this campaign. Skip down to the next one. *Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Higher Education Subcommittee to reject HB1660, a bill that would gut higher education non-discrimination policies. Add your own written or video message.
*Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Judiciary and House Criminal Justice Committees to reject SB2781/HB1949, which is a horrible anti-trans bathroom bill.
*Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Education Committee to reject SB1810, a bill that forces schools to out trans and non-binary students.
*Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary and House Civil Justice Committees to vote NO on SB1738/HB2169, a bill that stops LGBTQ-affirming policies in adoption and foster care.
*Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Education Committee and the House K-12 Subcommittee to vote NO on SB2766/HB1634, a bill that removes sexual orientation from policy and removes gender identity from the family life curriculum.
*Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Commerce and Labor and House Health Committees to vote NO on SB2396/HB2816 that appears to be about healthcare for those who wish to detransition, but is actually a major and dangerous scheme of data reporting that presents risks for privacy.
*Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee vote NO on SB1110/HB1386, a bill that gives a separate marriage option for man/woman couples.
*Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Civil Justice Committee to reject HB2310, a bill that stigmatizes travel for youth gender-affirming care. Add your own written or video message.
KEY CALLS TO MAKE
*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to tell the House Higher Education Subcommittee to reject HB1660, a bill that would gut higher education non-discrimination policies. Leave messages at night or on the weekend.
*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to tell the House K-12 Subcommittee to reject HB1634, a bill that removes sexual orientation from education policy and gender identity from the family life curriculum.
*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to tell the House Criminal Justice Committee to reject HB1949, the anti-trans bathroom bill.
*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote NO on SB1738, a bill on non-discrimination policies in adoption and foster care.
FULL CALENDAR
Committees marked in blue contain high priority bills.
MONDAY, MARCH 11
1:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee. Bills: SB1873, SB1110, SB2781, SB1738.
3:00 p.m. House Higher Education Subcommittee. Bills: HB1660.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12
9:00 a.m. House Education Instruction. Bills: HB2435.
9:00 a.m. House Commerce Committee. Bills: HB1891.
Noon. House Children and Family Affairs. Bills: HB1386.
Noon. House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Bills: HB1614.
1:00 p.m. Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. Bills: SB2396, SB1792, SB2097, SB2042.
1:30 p.m. House Banking and Consumer Affairs. Bills: HB2160.
3:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee. Bills: See the Monday entry above for bill numbers.
4:30 p.m. House K-12 Subcommittee. Bills: HB1634.
4:30 p.m. House Criminal Justice Committee. Bills: HB1949.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13
Noon. Civil Justice Committee. Bills: HB2169 and HB2310.
3:00 p.m. Senate Education Committee. Bills: SB2766, SB1810, SB2501, SB2767.
3:30 p.m. House Health Committee. Bills: HB2816.
Campaigns for week of March 4
Several bills are on the calendar. We have provided a full calendar at the bottom of this page. At the top of the page you will find action items on key bills. Campaigns will be updated as they are available.
If you are joining from the article in The Nashville Scene, please know that we do not view the situation as hopeless. WPLN reported last week that the Pride flag ban bill has hit a "major snag" in the Senate. And just today HB1948 that attacks DEI in higher education was defeated in a House subcommittee. Let's dig in and fight these bills with the campaigns below.
ACTION ITEMS
KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP
*Tuesday starting at Noon in House Hearing Room 4. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link. Note: Information about several committees is listed at the link.
KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS
*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House Higher Education Subcommittee. They will vote on HB1660 and HB1948 that attack the non-discrimination policies and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in Tennessee Higher Education.
*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House Family & Children's Affairs Subcommittee. They will consider HB2169 on non-discrimination policies in adoption and foster care as well as HB1995 and HB1386, two bills that discriminate in favor of man/woman couples in marriage.
*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House K-12 Subcommittee. They will consider HB1634 that would remove references to sexual orientation and gender identity from policy.
*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House Health Subcommittee. They will consider HB2816, which focuses on people who wish to detransition and it includes dangerous data collection processes.
*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. They will consider HB2310, which, as amended, would provide for criminal and civil penalties for those who help transport minors for gender-affirming care.
KEY CALLS TO MAKE
*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages for the House Higher Education Subommittee. They will vote on HB1660 and HB1948, bills that attack non-discrimination policies and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in higher education.
*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages for the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee. They will vote on HB2169, which prevents the state from having a pro-LGBTQ adoption and foster care placement policy, and HB1995 and HB1386, which give preferences to man/woman couples in marriage.
*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages for the House K-12 Subcommittee. They will vote on HB1634, which removes some references to sexual orientation and gender identity from policy and curriculum.
FULL CALENDAR
MONDAY, MARCH 4
3:00 p.m.--House Higher Education Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. Bills: HB1660 and HB1948.
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
9:00 a.m.--House Commerce Committee in House Hearing Room 1. Bills: HB1891.
Noon--House Children & Family Affairs in House Hearing Room 4. Bills: HB1913, HB2169, HB1995, HB2936, HB1386
1:30 p.m.--Health Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 4. Bills: HB2816.
1:30 p.m.--House Civil Justice Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 3. Bills: HB2310.
1:30 p.m.--Banking & Consumer Affairs in House Hearing Room 2. Bills: HB2160.
3:00 p.m.--Senate Judiciary in Senate Hearing Room 1. Bills: SB1873.
4:30 p.m.--House K-12 Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. Bills: HB1634.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
8:30 a.m.--Government Operations in Senate Hearing Room 1. Bills: SB2503.
10:30 a.m.--State Government Committee in House Hearing Room 1. Bills: HB1661.
Noon--Education Instruction Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 3. Bills: HB2435.
3:00 p.m.--Education Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1. Bills: SB2173 and SB2107.
Campaigns for week of Feb 26
We are hitting a critical point with key bills this session. Take action with the campaigns below and share them with people you know. More campaigns may be added over the coming days.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26
FLAG BAN BILL
SHOW UP: HB1605 is on the House floor. Join Nashville Pride and TEP in protesting the bill starting at 3pm near the House chamber inside the Capitol. Wear Pride gear, small signs provided. Learn more and RSVP at the Facebook event link.
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send a quick message to your own state representative on the bill.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
SHOW UP: At 1:30 in House Hearing Room 2, the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee will consider HB1891, which is the "Protecting Children from Social Media Act."
Combined event for committee hearings on adoption/foster care and bathroom bills
UPDATE: We are now hearing that the adoption bill will not be heard until March. You can still do the campaigns.
SHOW UP: SB1738 (adoption/foster care bill) and HB1949 (bathroom bill) are up for votes in key committees Tuesday afternoon. Show up for the 3:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1 and for the House Criminal Justice Committee hearing at 4:30 p.m. in House Hearing Room 3. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event. NOTE: There two parent rights bills on notice in the Senate Judiciary Committee on this date. They are SB2749 and SB620. You may want to attend the committee hearing for those two bills.
Anti-trans bathroom bill
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to email members of the committee urging them to vote NO.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to contact members of the House Criminal Justice Committee and urge them to vote NO.
SPECIAL CALL LIST FOR SHELBY COUNTY: If you live in Shelby County, use this list to call legislators in your area.
SHOW UP: At 5:30 p.m., after the Criminal Justice Committee, there will be a vigil for Nex Benedict. Learn more at the Facebook event.
Adoption/foster care inclusive non-discrimination policy ban
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to email members of the committee urging them to vote NO.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote NO.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28
SHOW UP: HB1661, a bill on obscene materials in libraries, is up for a vote in the House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee at 9:00 a.m. in House Hearing Room 2.
ALL MONTH
CELEBRATE: February is Black History Month.
Tennessee's selective flag ban bill and Saturday's Nazi march in Nashville
On Saturday a group of Nazis marched in Nashville. The significance of this happening during Black History Month should not be lost on anyone. We join people of good will around the state in condemning this march and what it represents.
We cannot fail to note that on Tuesday, the House Education Administration Committee approved HB1605 after much debate. This bill selectively bans some flags in our public schools. What is less clear is whether the bill actually protects flags like the Nazi flag in our schools. From The Tennessean:
During discussion on the bill, Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, asked whether the bill, if passed, would permit school staff to display the Confederate flag or the Nazi flag.
“Can teachers display a Nazi flag in their classroom?” McKenzie said.
Following a spirited back-and-forth, the committee attorney noted that the bill did not specifically address either flag, and a court might need to be called upon to answer the question.
It is the perfect time for the sponsors to drop HB1605. We call on them to withdraw the bill so that it does not give any further encouragement to Nazi activity in our state.
The bill is up for a vote in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. People can urge the committee to reject the bill with the campaign at this link.
Campaigns for week of Feb 19
Here are the campaigns so far for the week of February 19. More may be added as bills hit the calendar.
ALL MONTH
CELEBRATE: February is Black History Month.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Anti-trans bathroom bill
SHOW UP: HB1949, the bathroom bill, is back before House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Show up in House Hearing Room 2 at Noon. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link. Note that HB1913 (parent rights) is also up for a vote at Noon in Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee at Noon in House Hearing Room 4.
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to generate a message to every member of the subcommittee.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with the subcommittee members to oppose the bill.
Adoption/Foster care discrimination bill
SHOW UP: SB1738, a bill that bans inclusive non-discrimination policies in adoption and foster care, is up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 3:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link. Note: SB2749 (parent rights) is up for a vote in the same committee.
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to generate a message to every member of the committee.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with the committee members to oppose the bill.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
SHOW UP: HB1632, a bill that allows more people to sue schools over age-appropriate materials, is up for a vote in House Finance Subcommittee at 10:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3.
Flag ban bill
SHOW UP: SB1722, the flag ban bill, is back before the Senate Education Committee at 3:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to generate a message to every member of the committee.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with the Senate Education Committee to oppose the bill.
ANY DAY
CALL: Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to VETO SB596/HB878, the wedding official refusal bill because public officials should not turn anyone away who had a valid marriage license.
ADD YOUR NAME: Recently the House failed to adopt a resolution honoring Allison Russell. But you can endorse the resolution by adding your name at this link.
Campaigns for week of Feb 12
Some bills have been taken off notice or deferred. Others are starting to advance. Take action with these campaigns for the week of February 12. More campaigns may be added over the coming days.
ALL MONTH
CELEBRATE: February is Black History Month.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12
SHOW UP: SB596, the wedding officiant refusal bill, is on the Senate floor calendar. 4:00 p.m., Capitol (not Cordell Hull).
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send a quick message to your state senator to oppose the bill.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13: Advancing Equality Day on the Hill
SHOW UP: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee takes up HB1949, a really bad bathroom bill at Noon in House Hearing Room 2. Learn more and RSVP at the Facebook event link.
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send email messages to the members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee urging them to oppose this bathroom bill.
CALL: Use the scripts and the numbers at the link to call the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee urging them to oppose this bathroom bill.
SHOW UP: We are watching HB1891 by Rep. Lamberth. The bill is up for a vote at 1:30 p.m. in the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. The bill creates the "Protecting Children from Social Media Act."
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Valentine's Day
SHOW UP: HB1605, the Pride flag ban bill, is up for a vote in House Education Administration Committee at 1:30 p.m. and in the Senate Education Committee at 3:00 p.m. Learn more and RSVP at the Facebook event link.
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send email messages to the members of the Senate Education Committee and the House Education Administration Committee urging them to oppose the flag ban bill.
CALL: Use the scripts and the numbers at the link to call members of the House Education and Administration Committee to oppose the flag ban bill. Call at night or on the weekend to get office voice mail.
CALL: Use the scripts and the numbers at the link to call members of the Senate Education Committee to oppose the flag ban bill. Call at night or on the weekend to get office voice mail.
Campaigns for week of Feb 5
Please, go to the campaigns for the week of Feb. 19. The campaigns below have expired.
With the conclusion of bill filing on February 1, more bills are hitting committee calendars. Take action on the bills moving the week of February 5. We may add more campaigns over the coming days.
ALL MONTH
CELEBRATE: February is Black History Month.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
GOOD NEWS! THIS BILL IS NOW OFF NOTICE. NO NEED TO SHOW UP. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THE CAMPAIGNS. SKIP DOWN TO THE CAMPAIGNS FOR TUESDAY!
SHOW UP: HB1660, which would cause sexual orientation and gender identity to be removed from the non-discrimination policies of Tennessee's public colleges and universities, is up for a vote in the House Higher Education Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2 of the Cordell Hull Building at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
EMAIL: Tell the Higher Education Subcommittee to vote NO on this bill using the easy form at the link.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with the members of the subcommittee. Call at night or on weekends if you don't wish to speak to a live person. Your message will go to office voice mail.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
SHOW UP
Noon: HB1913, which parent bill of rights legislation that we are watching is up for a vote at Noon in House Hearing Room 4 at Noon Central Time. NOTE: WE ARE NOW HEARING THAT THIS BILL WILL BE DEFERRED.
3:00 pm: The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider SB596 (wedding officiant refusal bill) and SB620 (parent rights) at a time to be determined, probably in Senate Hearing Room 1. Learn more at the Facebook event link. NOTE: WE ARE NOW HEARING THAT SB620 WILL BE DEFERRED UNTIL LATE FEBRUARY.
4:30 pm: HB1605, which would cause Pride and Black Lives Matter flags to be banned at school, is up for a vote in the House K-12 Subcommittee at 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
WEDDING OFFICIANT REFUSAL & PARENT RIGHTS BILLS: Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote NO.
FLAG BAN: Use the easy form at the link to tell the K-12 subcommittee to vote NO on the flag ban bill.
CALL
SB596 and SB620: Use the scripts and numbers on the marriage and parent rights bills at the link and leave messages by the evening of Feb. 5.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
SHOW UP: At 9:00 a.m., the House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee will consider HB1661 by Rep. Ragan, which enacts the "Restricted Access by Minors to Obscene Library Materials Act. The subcommittee meets in House Hearing Room 2 of the Cordell Hull Building. UPDATE: THIS BILL HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF NOTICE FOR NOW.
HB1632
SHOW UP: The House Education Administration Committee will consider HB1632, which expands who can sue to enforce the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022, at 1:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room of the Cordell Hull Building.
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers on HB1632 at the link and leave messages by the evening of February 6.
Campaigns for week of January 29
Bill filing in the Tennessee General Assembly will end on January 31 and February 1. New bills are already hitting committee calendars. Please, go through this calendar and do as many of the items as you can. More campaigns may be added in the coming days as we learn more.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30
SHOW UP: House Bill 1605, which would have the effect of banning Pride and Black Lives Matter flags at our public schools, is up for a vote in the House K-12 Subcommittee at 4:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 2 of the Cordell Hull Building. We recommend getting there early to get a seat. Wear Balcony Brigade shirts or Pride/Rainbow stickers and buttons. Learn more at the Facebook link. Also up for a vote in the same subcommittee is HB1632, which allows parents to sue school districts to enforce the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022.
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send a message to members of the House K-12 Subcommittee urging them to vote NO on the bills. You can personalize the message and even add a short video message.
CALL: Use the easy scripts and numbers at the link to leave phone messages for the members of the subcommittee. If you don't wish to speak to a live person, call at night or on the weekends so that your message goes to office voicemail.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
CELEBRATE: Black History Month begins.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
LEARN: GLAAD is offering their "Telling Your Story" training in Nashville. RSVP and learn more at the link.
Campaigns for week of January 22
The week of January 22 will largely be a week to make up for the Legislature's absence from the Hill during the week of January 15. We expect the snow and ice to be gone or melting by January 22. Not only were legislators not in Nashville to conduct floor and committee business, but most bill-filing came to a halt. This may have an effect on the bill-filing deadline for both House and Senate.
MONDAY, JANUARY 22
SHOW UP: Starting at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, Nashville Pride and TEP will host Pride Flag Day at the Capitol in response to SB1722/HB1605, the bill that would ban Pride and other flags at school. Participants are urged to wear something with a Pride flag including buttons or stickers or have a small Pride flag. Some signs will be available. To learn more, go to the Facebook event link. Note: The event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24
CALENDAR NOTE: HB1377 by Rep. Ragan, which is a bill about reporting "prohibited concepts" in education, is on the House Education Administration Committee calendar at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. It failed in the Senate Education Committee last year. The lobbying team does not expect the bill to run, but we won't know until Wednesday. You can attend the committee meeting in House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building.
UPCOMING EVENTS
LEARN: On February 3 starting at Noon Central Time in Nashville, GLAAD offers their "Telling Your Story" training. Learn more at the link.
SHOW UP: Feb 13 is Advancing Equality Day on the Hill. We need people from around the state to come to the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville and meet with their legislators. If you are interested, please email us with either the names of your two legislators or your street address and Zip Code at [email protected] . Learn more at the Facebook event link.