Labor-Management Agreements are in Jeopardy!

Unfortunately, HB 603 (Durham)/SB 123 (Kelsey) has made its way onto the House Consumer & Human Resources Subcommittee calendar for this Wednesday, March 18. This is the VERY BAD bill that would prohibit collective bargaining agreements between public employees and local governments, utility districts, and other entities. Whether it's by e-mail, phone, or in person, please reach out to the members on this committee (click here to access the list) and ask them to vote "no" on this bill!    

On Monday afternoon, the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council will take up HB 997 (Durham)/SB 721 (Green). This BAD piece of legislation would create the "Tennessee Employee Injury Benefit Alternative" and allows employers to opt out of Workers' Compensation. Once again, please contact your state representative or senator, and ask them to vote "no" on this bill!

Despite these bad bills, there's actually quite a bit of good legislation on next week's calendars! One of those bills is HB 1027 (Stewart)/SB 1370 (Kyle), which would create the "Public Construction Contractor Safety Act." It will be heard on Wednesday in both the House Transportation Subcommittee and the Senate Transportation & Safety Committee. Above all else, this piece of legislation emphasizes safety for workers and the citizens of Tennessee, which is of the utmost importance.    

What's on our Radar? 

Earlier this week, we condensed our list of " target bills " for this session. This is legislation that lobbyists A.J. Starling and Jerry Winters have identified as being the most important to, or having the biggest impact on working families. The bills are broken down by the day (Tuesday or Wednesday) on which they'll be heard. By clicking on the bill number ( which will be highlighted like this ), you'll be able to access the entire piece of legislation, its current status, and much more. As always, please contact our office if you have any questions or need more information.   

Capitol Reflection
Tuesday, March 17th

House Education Administration & Planning Committee, 10:30 a.m., LP 29
-House Bill 158 (SB 183): This bill would make the "Little Hatch Act" applicable to teachers.

House Business & Utilities Subcommittee, 1:30 p.m., LP 29
- House Bill 24 (SB 127): This piece of legislation establishes the "Go Build Tennessee Act. "

House Health Subcommittee, 1:30 p.m., LP 30
- House Bill 1134 (SB 1161): This bill would "establish a health insurance voucher program that expands eligibility for Medicaid to 138 percent of the federal poverty line." 

Senate Commerce & Labor Committee, 1:30 p.m., LP 12
- Senate Bill 721 (HB 997): This piece of legislation (mentioned above) enacts the "Tennessee Employee Injury Benefit Alternative." 

- Senate Bill 1159 (HB 974): This bill would enact the "Tennessee Pregnant Workers Fairness Act." 
 
Wednesday, March 18th

House State Government Subcommittee, 12:00 p.m., LP 29
- House Bill 768 (SB 1066): This piece of legislation requires that employee handbooks include "the leave statute for adoption and pregnancy."

- House Bill 886 (SB 953): This bill extends group insurance to state employees. 

House Transportation Subcommittee, 12:00 p.m., LP 16
- House Bill 1027 (SB 1370): This piece of legislation (mentioned above) creates the "Public Construction Contractor Safety Act."
This bill will also be heard in the Senate Transportation & Safety Committee at 1:00 p.m. in LP 12. 

House Business & Utilities Committee, 3:00 p.m., LP 16
- House Bill 757 (SB 475): This BAD bill says that a franchisee would not have to follow directives given by corporate headquarters. Groups like Fight for $15 would be negatively impacted by this bill.

House Consumer & Human Resources Subcommittee, 3:00 p.m., LP 29
- House Bill 557 (SB 663): This piece of legislation calls for a study on the development of a paid family and medical leave program. 

- House Bill 579 (SB 659): This bill enacts the "Tennessee Minimum Wage Act." 

- House Bill 903 (SB 864): This piece of legislation enacts the "Tennessee Pay Equality Act," which prohibits an employer from discriminating on the basis of sex in regards to wages. 

- House Bill 603 (SB 123): This VERY BAD bill (mentioned above) would ban collective bargaining agreements between public employees and local governments, utility districts, and other entities. 
Contact:
Alyssa Hansen, Communications Director
1901 Lindell Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203  |  615.269.7111