Remember that in the last days of the legislative session the schedule is fluid. We will provide updates as they are available and as we are able to post them.

ACTION ITEMS

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Finance Subcommittee that HB2310 is too vague to adopt. HB2310 adds criminal stigma for youth gender-affirming care travel. It may also criminalize sharing of information about where families can get this medically necessary care.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR senator to vote NO on SB1722 and HB1319, two bills aimed at banning Pride flags and other flags in schools and on other public buildings.

KEY PHONE CALLS TO MAKE

*Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to veto SB2766/HB1634, SB2861/HB2619, and SB1810/HB2165.

SB2766/HB1634 removes protected classes like sexual orientation, race, and national origin from the teacher code of ethics. SB2861/HB2619 removes the ability of the Department of Corrections to use state funds for gender-affirming care, and SB1810/HB2165 requires schools to out trans and non-binary students if they request an accommodation at school.

CALENDAR OF BILLS

MONDAY, APRIL 22

4:00 p.m.  Senate floor session. BILLS:  SB1722. Note: Deferred to Tuesday's floor session.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23

10:30 a.m. House Finance Subcommittee. BILLS:  HB2310.

2:00 p.m.  Senate floor session.  BILLS:  SB918. SB1722.

ACTION ITEMS

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR member of the Tennessee House of Representatives to vote NO on HB2165, a bill that outs trans and non-binary students.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Finance Subcommittee to ask tough questions about the definition of recruiting and whether the fiscal note is high enough for HB2310, a bill that attaches criminal penalties and stigma related to recruiting, harboring, and transporting youth for gender-affirming care contrary to the wishes of parents.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell your own senator to vote NO on the flag ban bill that is up for a vote on the Senate floor on April 17.

KEY CALL TO MAKE

*Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to veto SB2766/HB1634, a bill that removes protected classes from the teacher code of ethics like race, sex, and sexual orientation and to veto SB2861/HB2619, a bill that prevents the Tennessee Department of Corrections from using state funds to provide gender-affirming care.

FULL CALENDAR

Events marked in blue include high priority bills.

MONDAY, APRIL 15

2:00 p.m.  House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB2165, HB1891.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16

2:00 p.m. House Finance Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2310, HB1632, HB1614.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

8:30 a.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB1722. HB1319. SB1810.

ACTION ITEMS

More will be added in the coming days.

KEY PHONE CALLS TO MAKE

*Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to VETO SB1738/HB2169, a bill that prevents DCS from screening out anti-LGBTQ parents from adoption and foster care.

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use the easy campaign at the link to send a message to your own member of the Tennessee of House of Representatives. On Monday, the House will vote on HB1634, which erases specific LGBTQ protections for students, and HB2165, which forces school districts to out trans students when they request an accommodation like the correct pronoun or name.

FULL CALENDAR

Items marked in blue contain priority bills.

MONDAY, APRIL 8

3:00 p.m. House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB2165, HB1634, HB2610.

3:30 p.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2097.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

1:30 p.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB1792.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

8:30 p.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2766. SB2041.

9:00 p.m. House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB2165.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11

8:30 a.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2782.

9:00 a.m. House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB2784, HB2936.

*ACTION ITEMS

More items will be added over the coming days

KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP

*APRIL 1 starting at 2:15 p.m.  Protest the adoption/foster care discrimination bill in the Capitol near the House Chamber. The House floor session begins at 3:00 p.m. RSVP at this event page or at the Facebook event link.

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*NEW. Use the easy form at the link to tell your State Representative to vote NO on HB2169, the adoption/foster care discrimination bill.

*NEW. Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO on HB1634 and HB2165 that make LGBTQ students more vulnerable to discrimination and force schools to out transgender and non-binary students.

*NEW. Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Civil Justice Committee to vote NO on SB2782/HB2310, a bill that stigmatizes travel for youth gender-affirming care with criminal and civil penalties when it is not parent-approved.

FULL CALENDAR

Events marked in blue contain priority bills

MONDAY, APRIL 1

12:30 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  SB2782.

1:30 p.m. Government Operations Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2610.

3:00 p.m. House floor in the Capitol. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS:  HB2169, HJR1153.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

8:30 a.m. Senate Finance in Senate Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  SB1792. Note: This bill is behind the budget in the House.

11:00 a.m. House Civil Justice Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2936, HB1386, HB2310. Note: HB1386 has been sent to the General Subcommittee of the Senate.

1:00. Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1:  BILLS:  SB2782.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

9:00 a.m. Criminal Justice Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. BILLS:  HB1949. Note: This bill is deferred to summer study in the Senate.

12:30 p.m. House Education Administration Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2165, HB1634, HB2784.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

9:00 a.m. Senate floor session in the Senate Chamber in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2767 and SB2097.

ACTION ITEMS

More items will be added over the coming days.

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use this easy form to tell your own member of the Tennessee House of Representatives to reject HB2169, which prevents DCS from having an inclusive non-discrimination policy in adoption and foster care. The bill is on the House floor on April 1.

*NEW: Use this easy form to tell your State Senator to vote NO on SB2766, a bill that removes non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ students.

*NEW: Use this easy form to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to vote NO on SB2781/HB1949, which is the anti-trans bathroom bill. It is up for a vote in those committees on March 26.

*NEW:  Use this easy form to tell the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO on HB1634 and HB2165 on March 27. These bills remove protections for LGBTQ students and force school districts to out trans and non-binary students.

KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP

*Save the Date. April 1 protest against the adoption/foster care discrimination bill. Learn more and RSVP at the link.

FULL CALENDAR

Events marked in blue contain high priority bills

MONDAY, MARCH 25

1:30 p.m. Government Operations in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB1661. This bill is deferred to summer study in the Senate.

3:00 p.m. House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB1891.

3:30 p.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2766.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

Noon. House Criminal Justice Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. BILLS:  HB1949.

1:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  SB2781.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

10:30 a.m. House State Government Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2610.

10:30 a.m. House Finance Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 3. BILLS:  HB1614.

1:00 p.m. House Education Administration Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2165, HB1634, HB2784.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

8:30 a.m. Senate floor session. BILLS:  SB2749, SB1858.

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.

*Use this easy form to tell your own state senator to vote NO on SB1738, the adoption/foster care discrimination bill. It is on the Senate floor on the morning of March 21.

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

8:30. Senate floor. Bills:  SB1738.

9:00. House floor. Bills:  HB2169.

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.

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.

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.

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.