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SB1397/HB375	Duck River withdrawal fee.
Sponsors	Sen. Reeves, Shane; Rep. Marsh, Pat
Category	Environment & Nature
Summary	Requires the Tennessee Duck River Developmental Agency to set a per-thousand withdrawal fee for any entity withdrawing water from the river. Requires the rate to be sufficient to cover the administrative costs of the agency and all needs deemed necessary to accomplish the agency’s mission.
Amendment Summary	Senate Energy, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee amendment 1, House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee amendment 1 (011307) requires the Tennessee Duck River Development Agency (Agency) Board of Directors (Board) to set a per thousand-gallon membership fee to sustain the Agency’s operating costs and the cost of regional water supply programs and projects. Expands the size of the Board to include members of the Agency’s technical advisory committee (DRATAC).
Senate Status	02/07/24 – Senate Energy, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee recommended with amendment 1 (011307). Sent to Senate Finance.
House Status	02/21/24 – House Finance Subcommittee placed behind the budget.
Position	Neutral
Comment	This bill as amended no longer requires the Tennessee duck river developmental agency (DRA) to charge a mandatory water withdrawal fee for any entity which withdraws water from the Duck River or tributaries of the Duck River in Bedford, Coffee, Marshall, and Maury Counties which requires an ARAP permit. Instead, the DRA board has authority to set a per 1,000 gallon membership fee to water systems for finished water pumped from the Upper Duck River Watershed. As amended, the bill further: (1) makes members of the Duck River Agency Technical Advisory Committee (DRATAC) members of the DRA board of directors; and (2) establishes a weighted system for voting by DRATAC members based upon the member’s percentage of water withdrawals to the total number of water withdrawals from the Upper Duck River Watershed.
SB1742/HB1786	Public inspection of procurement records.
Sponsors	Sen. Powers, Bill; Rep. Vital, Greg
Category	Media & Publishing
Summary	Requires proposals received in response to a solicitation of goods or services to be made available for public inspection following the completion of the evaluation.
Senate Status	02/22/24 – Senate passed.
House Status	02/22/24 – House passed.
Executive Status	02/22/24 – Sent to the speakers for signatures.
Comment	This bill prohibits proposals received by the state in response to a solicitation for goods or services, and related records, including evaluations and memoranda, to be made available for public inspection until after the completion of the evaluation of the same by the state. This bill does not apply to local governments.
SB1750/HB1834	Local government debt financing.
Sponsors	Sen. Taylor, Brent; Rep. McCalmon, Jake
Category	Public Finance
Summary	requires local governments issuing debt under the Local Government Public Obligations Act of 1986 or the Public Building Authorities Act of 1971 to seek approval from the comptroller or the comptroller’s designee prior to issuance of the debt under certain circumstances. Revises current law to specify that principal of debt must be treated as being payable or amortized upon its stated maturity or upon any mandatory redemption date.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/12/24.
House Status	01/25/24 – Referred to House Cities & Counties Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill requires local governments to seek approval from the comptroller prior to issuance of debt when the debt: (1) poses a heightened financial risk to the local government that is issuing it as defined by the state funding board, or (2) Is issued by a local government experiencing financial difficulties as defined by the state funding board. Currently, debt issues by utility districts and some types of debt of cities and counties do not require Comptroller approval.
SB1895/HB1879	Termination of utilities – notice required.
Sponsors	Sen. Oliver, Charlane; Rep. Freeman, Bob
Category	Utilities
Summary	Requires utilities to send a written notice of termination to the customer on record as well as the owner of the property if they differ from the customer. Also describes how the comptroller of the treasury or the comptroller’s designee must impose sanctions if a utility is reported to have violated this termination notice. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	01/29/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	02/20/24 – Taken off notice in House Business & Utilities Subcommittee.
Position	Oppose
Comment	When a utility terminates service to a customer, this bill requires the utility to send a written notice of termination to the customer of record at the service address and to the owner of the property if the property owner is not the customer. TBOUR is given the power to impose reasonable sanctions for violations of this new requirement.
SB1963/HB2176	Awarding of court costs to petitioner proving that governing body violated public meetings laws.
Sponsors	Sen. Pody, Mark; Rep. Lynn, Susan
Category	Public Employees
Summary	Allows for the courts to award the petitioners all or part of the reasonable costs incurred by the petitioners if the court finds that a governing body willfully refused to comply with requirements imposed on a meeting of the body.
Amendment Summary	House Public Service Subcommittee amendment 1 (013844) authorizes, in a lawsuit alleging a body of government did not comply with state law related to public meetings and the court finds that the governing body knowingly and willfully refused to comply with the law, the court to assess in its discretion all or part of the reasonable costs incurred by the petitioners, including reasonable attorney’s fees, against the governing body. Revises the definition of “meeting” for the purposes of statutes governing the requirements for conducting public meetings to include those that are a convening of a governing body of a public body to make or deliberate toward a decision in which a quorum is not required, rather than only such meetings in which a quorum is required.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 03/11/24.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House State Government Committee 03/13/24.
Comment	This bill amends the Open Meetings Act (the Sunshine Law) to allow a court to assess the reasonable costs, including attorneys’ fees, against a governmental entity in a court action based upon a violation of the Sunshine Law when the governing entity’s violation is willful.
SB1992/HB2270	Notice regarding utility excavation or demolition.
Sponsors	Sen. Walley, Page; Rep. Boyd, Clark
Category	Utilities
Summary	Requires each person responsible for a utility excavation or demolition to serve an additional notice of intent to excavate or demolish if the excavation or demolition is not completed within 20 calendar days, instead of 15 calendar days, from the actual date specified to start excavation or demolition. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	01/31/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	02/01/24 – Caption bill held on House clerk’s desk.
Comment	This bill is a caption bill. TAUD understands this bill may be amended to change certain provisions of the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act (Tenn811 Law).
SB2018/HB2434	Class action resulting from a cybersecurity event – civil liability.
Sponsors	Sen. Reeves, Shane; Rep. Terry, Bryan
Category	Tort Liability
Summary	Declares that a private entity is not liable in a class action resulting from a cybersecurity event unless the cybersecurity event was caused by willful, wanton, or gross negligence on the part of the private entity. Broadly captioned.
Amendment Summary	House Civil Justice Amendment 1 (014793) prohibits governmental entities, meaning any political subdivision of the state, from being liable in a class action resulting from a cyber security event.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 03/11/24.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Civil Justice Subcommittee 03/12/24.
Comment	This bill provides that a private entity is not liable for damages in a class action lawsuit resulting from a cybersecurity event unless the cybersecurity event was caused by the willful, wanton, or gross negligence of the private entity.
SB2105/HB2419	Public records lawsuit standing.
Sponsors	Sen. Gardenhire, Todd; Rep. Barrett, Jody
Category	Local Government
Summary	Clarifies that standing to file a judicial review action for the denial of access to state, county, or municipal records is reserved exclusively for individuals who have formally requested a personal inspection and had their request rejected. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits the intervention of non-governmental third parties in public records lawsuits.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/12/24.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Public Service Subcommittee 03/12/24.
Comment	This bill provides that only the requester of public records may bring a lawsuit to challenge the refusal of a governmental entity to provide the records requested and that no non-governmental third party may intervene in public records lawsuits.
SB2131/HB1983	Municipal authority outside of corporate boundaries.
Sponsors	Sen. Lowe, Adam; Rep. Fritts, Monty
Category	Local Government
Summary	Prohibits a municipality, or an instrumentality of a municipality, from taking any action that affects or has the potential to affect the tax obligations, fees, or other costs for real property owners whose property is located outside a municipality’s corporate boundary, unless the action is approved by the county legislative body in which such property is located. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	03/05/24 – Senate State & Local Government Committee deferred to final calendar.
House Status	01/30/24 – Referred to House Property & Planning Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill prohibits a municipality from taking any action that affects or has the potential to affect the tax obligations, fees, or other costs for real property owners whose property is located outside a municipality’s corporate boundary, unless the action is approved by the county legislative body in which such property is located. This bill is broad enough to include any rates, fees, or charges which a municipal utility seeks to impose or change to its customers located outside its municipal limits.
SB2232/HB2370	Written consent required prior to installation of a smart meter.
Sponsors	Sen. Hensley, Joey; Rep. Barrett, Jody
Category	Utilities
Summary	Requires a utility to obtain written consent from the owner of residential or commercial property for which the utility provides services before the utility installs a smart meter for the property. Requires a utility to obtain written confirmation from the owner of the property that the owner consents to the continued presence and use of the smart meter if a smart meter is already present. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/12/24.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Business & Utilities Subcommittee 03/12/24.
Position	Oppose
Comment	This bill requires an electric, gas, water, or sewer utility which uses a smart meter to measure usage to: (1) obtain written consent from the property owner before installing a smart meter; and (2) obtain written confirmation from the property owner where a smart meter has been installed that the owner consents to the continued presence of the smart meter. If the utility does not obtain this consent, the utility must install an analog meter at no cost. Smart meter is defined to mean a utility meter with electronic components, or an electric or battery-operated meter, that is capable of measuring, recording, and sending data through a wired or wireless signal from a utility customer to the utility.
SB2247/HB2299	Polk County – regulation of biosolids.
Sponsors	Sen. Swann, Art; Rep. Howell, Dan
Category	Environment & Nature
Summary	Creates exception to the state regulation of biosolids by authorizing the legislative body of Polk County to regulate such activities. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Taken off notice in Senate Energy, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.
House Status	03/05/24 – Failed in House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill grants to the Polk County Commission, in place of TDEC, the power to be the permitting entity for any of the activities set forth in TCA 68-3-108(g), including, but not limited to, the land application of wastewater in Polk County, .
SB2260/HB2286	Makes revisions to the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act.
Sponsors	Sen. Walley, Page; Rep. Marsh, Pat
Category	Utilities
Summary	Makes revisions to the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, such as amending requirements for emergency excavations and the imposition of civil penalties for violations.
Senate Status	03/08/24 – Set for Senate Consent 2 03/11/24.
House Status	03/04/24 – House passed.
Comment	This bills makes several changes to the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act (the Act): (1) removes the concept of “impending emergency” from the Act and related requirements for an impending emergency; (2) includes a definition for “emergency” in the Act which does not exist now which is important since certain obligations in Act which only apply when there is an emergency; (3) permits an excavator submitting an emergency request notice to let utilities know that a response is not required in under 2 hours but can specify that a response is needed between 2 hours and 72 hours; (4) changes the existing civil penalty section to require the assessment of a civil penalty for a violation but gives the investigators the authority to make offers of settlement for violations which may include training in lieu of civil penalties; and (5) permits an additional use of the civil penalties collected and placed in the underground damage prevention fund to offset the costs of the TPUC civil penalty program.
SB2315/HB2368	Residential Infrastructure Development Act of 2024.
Sponsors	Sen. Pody, Mark; Rep. Carr, Dale
Category	Local Government
Summary	Authorizes a uniform procedure to establish infrastructure development districts as an alternative method to fund and finance capital infrastructure through the levy and collection of special assessments. Provides for the uniform operation, exercise of power, and procedure for termination of any such independent district. Defines “host municipality” and other relative definitions. Authorizes the governing body of a host municipality to create, by resolution, one or more infrastructure development districts located in whole or part within the boundaries of such municipality. Requires an infrastructure development district to be approved by the governing body of each host municipality. Specifies residential requirement for district area. Also specifies public hearing and notice requirements regarding infrastructure development districts (19 pp.).
Senate Status	02/08/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Local Government Committee 03/12/24.
Comment	This bill authorizes the creation of infrastructure development districts as an alternative method to fund and finance capital infrastructure through the levy and collection of special assessments within a municipality. Such a district may be created upon the petition of a developer or the owners of real property within the proposed district to the host municipality. Infrastructure means streets, roads, bridges, and sidewalks, and water, wastewater, natural gas, electric, telecommunications, and storm water facilities,
SB2318/HB2133	Tuition discounts for children of county and municipal employees.
Sponsors	Sen. Yager, Ken; Rep. Powers, Dennis
Category	Education
Summary	Extends a 25% tuition discount, provided to the children of state employees at state institutions of higher education to the children of county and municipal employees. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Set for Senate Education Committee 03/13/24.
House Status	01/31/24 – Referred to House Higher Education Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill extends a 25% tuition discount at state institutions of higher education currently provided to the children of state employees or retired employees with at least 25 years of creditable service to the children of county and municipal employees or retired employees with at least 25 years of creditable service.
SB2329/HB2354	Prohibition of mask mandates related to COVID-19.
Sponsors	Sen. Yager, Ken; Rep. Zachary, Jason
Category	COVID-19
Summary	Prohibits a government entity, school, or local education agency from implementing a mask mandate related to COVID-19 or from requiring an employee of a government entity to wear a face covering as a condition of employment.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/12/24.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Public Service Subcommittee 03/12/24.
Comment	This bill prohibits a government entity, school, or local education agency from implementing a mask mandate related to COVID-19 or from requiring an employee of a government entity to wear a face covering as a condition of employment.
SB2352/HB2523	Board of directors of the Reelfoot Lake regional utility and planning district – compensation.
Sponsors	Sen. Jackson, Ed; Rep. Grills, Rusty
Category	Local Government
Summary	Increases, from $200 to $400, the monthly compensation for the board of directors of the Reelfoot Lake regional utility and planning district. Authorizes the board of directors to participate in the group medical and life insurance plan provided to district employees, to be reimbursed for premiums paid for equivalent or similar medical and life insurance coverage, and to be reimbursed for premiums paid for medical insurance coverage by medicare.
Senate Status	02/01/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	03/06/24 – House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee deferred to 03/20/24.
Comment	This bill Increases the monthly compensation of the board of directors of the Reelfoot Lake Regional Utility and Planning District from $200 to $400 and authorizes the District to provide the same medical and life insurance coverage to its board of directors which utility districts are authorized to provide to their board members.
SB2387/HB2500	Prohibiting the termination of utility services during a heat advisory.
Sponsors	Sen. Kyle, Sara; Rep. Jones, Justin
Category	Utilities
Summary	Prohibits a utility from terminating or otherwise interrupting utility service to its customers on a day for which the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory or excessive heat warning for an area for which the utility provides services, or for two days following the issuance of the heat advisory or excessive heat warning. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	02/01/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	02/06/24 – Referred to House Business & Utilities Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill prohibits a utility from terminating or otherwise interrupting utility service to its customers on a day for which the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory or excessive heat warning for the area which the utility serves, or for two days following the issuance of the heat advisory or excessive heat warning.
SB2391/HB2711	Revises provisions governing trade practices and consumer protection.
Sponsors	Sen. Stevens, John; Rep. Garrett, Johnny
Category	Commercial Law
Summary	Revises provisions governing trade practices and consumer protection.
Senate Status	03/08/24 – Set for Senate Consent 2 03/11/24.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee 03/12/24.
Comment	This bill revises several provisions governing trade practices and consumer protection. The bill includes a provision which makes it unlawful to monopolize or to maintain an monopoly over any part of trade or commerce affecting this state.
SB2432/HB2547	Authorization of local governmental entities to purchase fuel in the open market.
Sponsors	Sen. Haile, Ferrell; Rep. Lamberth, William
Category	Government Contracts
Summary	Authorizes a local governmental entity to purchase fuel and fuel products in the open market without public advertisement or competitive bidding, but requires the entity, whenever possible, to obtain at least three documented quotes. Permits such purchases from the department of general services’ contract where available.
Amendment Summary	House Cities and Counties Subcommittee amendment 1 (014249) authorizes a county, municipality, metropolitan government, utility district, local education agency (LEA), or other local governmental entity (LGE) to purchase gasoline or diesel fuel in bulk amounts that would exceed the applicable bid limits in the open market without public advertisement or competitive bidding, but requires the entity, whenever possible, to obtain at least three documented quotes. Authorizes LGEs to purchase such products from the Department of General Services’ (DGS) contract where available.
Senate Status	03/08/24 – Set for Senate Floor 03/11/24.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee 03/13/24.
Comment	This bill provides that a local governmental entity may purchase fuel and fuel products in the open market without public advertisement or competitive bidding, but requires the entity, whenever possible, to obtain at least three documented quotes. The bill further permits fuel and fuel purchases by such entity from the department of general services’ contract where available.
SB2489/HB2499	State or local contractors and campaign contributions.
Sponsors	Sen. Lamar, London; Rep. Jones, Justin
Category	Campaigns & Lobbying
Summary	Prohibits a state or local contractor or grantee from, during the period between the execution of the contract or award of the grant through the completion of the contract or grant period, directly or indirectly making a contribution, or promising expressly or impliedly to make a contribution, to a political campaign committee or a candidate or person for a political purpose or use, or knowingly soliciting a contribution from any person on behalf of a political campaign committee or a candidate or person for a political purpose or use.
Senate Status	02/01/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	03/06/24 – Failed in House Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill prohibits a person or business which provides goods or services by contract with the state or political subdivision of the state or which receives a grant from the state or political subdivision from doing the following during the term of the contract or grant: (1) directly or indirectly make a contribution to a candidate or PAC for a political purpose or use; or (2) knowingly solicit a contribution from any person on behalf of a candidate or PAC for a political purpose or use.
SB2579/HB2149	Isolated wetlands defined.
Sponsors	Sen. Taylor, Brent; Rep. Vaughan, Kevin
Category	Environment & Nature
Summary	Clarifies that an ephemeral wet weather conveyance is not a stream under the Water Quality Control Act. Defines “isolated wetlands” and clarifies that isolated wetlands are not waters under the act. Prohibits requiring a permit or other authorization under the act for impacts to isolated wetlands. Makes other related changes including not being subject to a requirement related to riparian buffers, cumulative impact analyses, antidegradation, mitigation, or another regulatory purpose or requirement. Details that a wetland shall not be designated as Exceptional Tennessee Water based solely on the presence of aquatic plants, semi-aquatic plants, or other vegetation.
Senate Status	02/05/24 – Referred to Senate Energy, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.
House Status	01/31/24 – Referred to House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill amends the Water Quality Control Act by clarifying or re-defining the following terms: (1) stream; (2) “waters” of the state; (3) isolated wetlands; and (4) wetland. The bill prohibits requiring a permit for impacts to isolated wetlands or requirements related to riparian buffers, cumulative impact analyses, antidegradation, mitigation, or another regulatory purpose.
SB2615/HB2798	Prohibits requiring buyer to pay using credit for in-person transactions.
Sponsors	Sen. Niceley, Frank; Rep. Hulsey, Bud
Category	Commercial Law
Summary	Prohibits a person selling or offering for sale goods or services at retail, and who employs at least six employees, from requiring a buyer to pay using credit for in-person transactions. Requires a person selling or offering for sale goods or services at retail to accept legal tender when offered by the buyer as payment. Details those violations treated as a prohibited practice under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977. Broadly captioned.
Amendment Summary	House Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee amendment 1 (014297) prohibits a person selling or offering for sale goods or services at retail, who employs at least six employees, from requiring a buyer to pay using credit or prohibit cash as payment for in-person transactions. Provides exceptions. Requires a person selling or offering for sale goods or services at retail to accept legal tender when offered by the buyer as payment. Establishes a violation of such is an unfair and deceptive act or practice under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977. Requires collection of funds on behalf of state or local government to include physical cash.
Senate Status	03/06/24 – Set for Senate Commerce & Labor Committee 03/12/24.
House Status	03/05/24 – Failed in House Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill prohibits any person or business selling goods or services in-person which employs at least 6 employees from requiring payment using a credit card or refusing to take cash as payment. H: Failed in House Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.
SB2700/HB2077	Instigation – offense creation.
Sponsors	Sen. Southerland, Steve; Rep. Carr, Dale
Category	Criminal Law
Summary	Creates the offense of instigation. Requires an affiant to file an affidavit for abeyance when requesting an arrest warrant. Permits a citizen’s arrest following two verbal notices for the offense of trespassing. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	02/05/24 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
House Status	01/30/24 – Referred to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill: (1) creates the criminal offense of instigation when a person intentionally prompts another person to commit an offense, and (2) permits a private person to make a citizen’s arrest following two verbal notices to someone that he or she is trespassing.
SB2798/HB2890	Notice requirements for governmental bodies holding public meetings.
Sponsors	Sen. Rose, Paul; Rep. Todd, Chris
Category	Public Employees
Summary	Creates more specific notice requirements for governmental bodies holding public meetings to be used in addition to and not in lieu of other notices required by law.
Amendment Summary	House Public Service Subcommittee amendment 1 (014225) creates specific notice requirements for governmental bodies holding public meetings to be used in addition to and not in lieu of other notices required by law.
Senate Status	02/05/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Public Service Subcommittee 2 03/12/24.
Position	Oppose
Comment	This bill amends the Open Meeting Act by permitting notice of a public meeting to be posted (1) in a newspaper of general circulation; (2) on the governing body’s website; (3) through social media generally; or (4) on any other frequently trafficked medium where a member of the public could receive notice of the meeting. The bill further requires the contents of the public notice to describe the purpose of or action to be taken at the meeting.
SB2813/HB2373	Period for public comments at a public meeting.
Sponsors	Sen. Reeves, Shane; Rep. Terry, Bryan
Category	Public Employees
Summary	Allows for a governing body to provide a period of public comment on an agenda for a public meeting after each item or on collective items at the end of the agenda. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	02/05/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	03/06/24 – Set for House Public Service Subcommittee 03/12/24.
Comment	This bill amends the law passed last year which requires a period for public comments at a public meeting to provide that a period of public comment may be made for each item on the agenda item or at the end of the agenda.
SB2859/HB1841	Procurement Protection Act.
Sponsors	Sen. Roberts, Kerry; Rep. Ragan, John
Category	Government Contracts
Summary	Prohibits certain foreign entities from submitting bids for contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state. Requires entities bidding on contracts to make certain disclosures and certifications related to the entities’ business relationship with certain foreign entities. Provides for civil penalties if the disclosures or certifications are false. Broadly captioned.
Senate Status	02/05/24 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.
House Status	03/05/24 – Failed in House Public Service Subcommittee.
Comment	This bill prohibits certain foreign entities defined as foreign adversary companies or federally banned corporations from submitting bids for contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state. To enforce these new prohibitions, entities bidding on contracts must make certain disclosures and certifications related to the entities’ business relationship with these foreign entities.
SB2912/HB2032	Removal of penalties for possessing a weapon in a building that prohibits weapons.
Sponsors	Sen. Bailey, Paul; Rep. Barrett, Jody
Category	Criminal Law
Summary	Removes the offense of possessing a weapon in a building that prohibits or restricts weapons. Allows a person with an enhanced handgun carry permit to carry a handgun into a business that prohibits or restricts weapons. Removes penalties for violations of certain firearms provisions.
Senate Status	02/15/24 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
House Status	02/20/24 – House Civil Justice Subcommittee deferred to 03/19/2024.
Position	Oppose
Comment	This bill removes the penalties for the offense of possessing a weapon in a building that prohibits or restricts weapons and allows a person with an enhanced handgun carry permit to carry a handgun into a business that prohibits or restricts weapons.