Walley Wrap: Conserving Tennessee’s Natural Resources and Maintaining Freedom
By State Senator Page Walley
Our Senate is in full swing. We are passing legislation on the Senate floor and advancing many bills through committees to ensure Tennessee remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. This week, our Senate committees completed their first of five weeks of budget hearings and heard budget proposals from 18 different state departments and agencies.
One of Governor Lee’s legislative priorities to conserve Tennessee’s natural resources and environment passed in our Energy and Ag Committee last week. I am a cosponsor of this bill which would establish a grant fund and tax incentives to clean up contaminated brownfield properties across rural Tennessee, including several in our district.
Legislation to protect vulnerable citizens also advanced in the Senate. Senate Republicans approved legislation to protect children from harmful and irreversible medical procedures to change their gender identity. We also passed other legislation in committees to crack down on child predators and engage businesses in human trafficking training and awareness.
Protecting the freedom to cook
Our State and Local Government Committee voted to advance my bill which protects the ability of Tennesseans to choose the type of appliances they use in their homes. Senate Bill 367 is in response to the federal government expressing interest in discontinuing or restricting the use of home appliances that run on natural gas, such as gas stoves. The legislation would prohibit local governments from banning, based on energy source, the type of appliances used by citizens in
their homes.
Safeguarding citizens from government overreach regarding COVID-19
Our Senate made permanent several laws passed during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect citizens from government overreach and provide businesses and health care providers with liability protections from health-related claims. By making these laws permanent, lawmakers ensure that state and local governments cannot require COVID-19 vaccine mandates and that statewide standards are met before local governments can issue mask mandates in public and in schools. Among other things, it also guarantees a person hospitalized can be accompanied by a family member during their stay.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your state senator. I am working hard in Nashville to serve you. Please contact me if I can be of assistance to you in any way at (615) 741- 2368 or sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov.
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