Subject: Tracked Bill listing through Friday, February 3, 2017

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February 6, 2017

The Tennessee Firearms Association is tracking these bills as of February 6, 2017.  Note that the bill cutoff date is expected to be February 9.

SB24/HB27

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Firing range requirement exemption for military service members seeking handgun carry permit.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Green, Mark , Rep. Hill, Timothy

Summary:

Exempts active-duty military service members and honorably discharged veterans who have specialties as military police, special operations, or special forces from handgun carry permit firing range requirements.

Fiscal Note:

(Dated January 31, 2017) NOT SIGNIFICANT

Senate Status:

01/30/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary.

House Status:

01/31/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to military service members and veterans.

Position:

Neutral

Comment:


SB131

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Amends various firearms provisions.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Green, Mark ,

Summary:

Allows a person who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm to possess a firearm either openly or concealed. Clarifies that a person commits an offense who possesses a firearm and has been convicted of a dangerous felony unless such individual has had his or her civil rights restored. Specifies that a person possessing a firearm who has been convicted of a dangerous felony commits a Class E felony offense. Removes privated educational institutions from the statute prohibiting the possession or carrying of firearms or weapons on school property. Clarifies that the board of directors or other managing body of a private school may elect to prohibit possession or carrying of weapons on campus by posting signage in conformity with the signage required for public schools. Adds additional language to the statute regarding affirmative defense to carrying weapons on school property to include a person demonstrating that the required signage was not posted in conformity with the requirements of state law. Deletes language prohibiting the carrying of weapons in public parks, playgrounds, civic centers and other public buildings. Amends various other firearms provisions. (16 pp.)

Senate Status:

02/01/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13; Title 49 and Title 70, relative to weapons.

Position:

Support

Comment:

This is the 2017 Constitutional Carry legislation that we are asking members to support by calling and writing your legislators.

SB145/HB61

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Exemptions from criminal history record check requirement for certain firearm transactions.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Beavers, Mae , Rep. Rogers, Courtney

Summary:

Exempts firearm transactions between licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers and bona fide law enforcement agencies or the agency's personnel from the criminal history record check requirement. Also includes transactions between licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers and collectors. Allows a firearms dealer to occasionally sell, exchange, or transfer firearms from the dealer's personal collection without conducting a background check on the buyer.

Senate Status:

02/01/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

House Status:

02/01/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to the sale, exchange, or transfer of firearms.

Position:

Support

Comment:

To fix a potential ambiguity in state law regarding sales by individuals holding an FFL of non-inventory firearms

SB146

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Enforcement of federal law relating to firearms - use of state funds prohibited.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Beavers, Mae ,

Summary:

Prohibits the expenditure of state or local funds or use of state or local personnel to implement, regulate, or enforce any federal law or executive order regulating the ownership or possession of firearms or firearm ammunition regardless of whether the expenditure of funds or use of employees would violate a state law or the state constitution.

Senate Status:

02/01/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 3, Part 1, relative to firearm laws.

Position:

Support

Comment:

10th Amendment Protections for the 2nd Amendment

SB147/HB40

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Creation of the Open Carry Firearms Freedom Act.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Beavers, Mae , Rep. VanHuss, James

Summary:

Enacts the Open Carry Firearms Freedom Act. Under this bill, no permit would be required for the open carrying of a handgun. The existing permit provisions would still apply to carrying a concealed handgun.

Senate Status:

02/01/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

House Status:

02/01/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10, Chapter 7; Title 33; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 70, relative to the carrying of firearms.

Position:

Support

SB229

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Notification requirements for domestic violence offenders regarding firearms.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Massey, Becky ,

Summary:

Requires the court to give a defendant pleading guilty to a domestic violence offense notice of the firearm dispossession consequences of a domestic violence conviction. Specifies procedure for a person convicted of domestic violence to terminate possession of all firearms, including completing an affidavit of firearms dispossession form and returning it to the court. Requires the domestic violence state coordinating council, in consultation with the administrative office of the courts, to develop the affidavit of firearms dispossession form and requires such form to be posted on the website of the administrative office of the courts.

Senate Status:

02/02/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-13-111 and Section 40-14-109, relative to notification to and procedures for domestic violence offenders.

SB269

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Regulations for handgun permit classes.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Beavers, Mae ,

Summary:

Requires that the state promulgate rules setting standards for handgun carry permit classes such as the maximum license fee, minimum training curriculum, and the qualifications of the instructors. Prohibits the state from promulgating rules requiring the passing of a written test, governing supplemental materials provided, limiting the duration of the course, or where the classes may meet. Allows for an application for the conversion of an eight year carry permit into a lifetime permit.

Senate Status:

02/02/17 - Introduced in the Senate

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to handgun carry permits.

Position:

Support

Comment:

Legislation addresses problems caused by over-regulation and micromanagement of the handgun training course/ranges by TDOS

SB308/HB48

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Allocation of handgun carry permit fees - financial assistance for families of slain police officers.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Kyle, Sara , Rep. Clemmons, John

Summary:

Requires one-half of the application and processing fee for handgun carry permits to be annually donated to one or more nonprofit organizations established for the purpose of providing financial assistance to families of police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical staff who lost lives or are victims of serious, traumatic and disabling injury in the line of duty.

Senate Status:

02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction

House Status:

01/30/17 - Introduced in the House

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to handgun carry permit fees.

Position:

Oppose

SB309/HB47

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal convictions involving semi-automatic firearms.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Kyle, Sara , Rep. Clemmons, John

Summary:

Requires mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal convictions involving semi-automatic firearms, including possessing such firearm with the intent to commit a dangerous felony.

Senate Status:

02/02/17 - Introduced in the Senate

House Status:

02/01/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to semi-automatic firearms.

SB316/HB421

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Asset Forfeiture and Disposition of Seized Property Act.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Gardenhire, Todd , Rep. Daniel, Martin

Summary:

Establishes a new procedure for the seizure and forfeiture of assets as the result of criminal activity. Requires that the person be convicted of a crime before forfeiture can occur. Requires clear and convincing evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture. Provides that all money from seizure or property sold in forfeiture be deposited into the state general fund.

Senate Status:

02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction

House Status:

02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39; Title 40; Title 53 and Title 55, relative to the "Asset Forfeiture and Disposition of Seized Property Act."

SB339

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Reduces the penalty for the offense of carrying a handgun without a permit.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Niceley, Frank ,

Summary:

Classifies that if a person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed with a handgun or a club, the first offense is a Class C misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation is a Class B misdemeanor. If a person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed with a handgun without authorization, it is a Class C misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of twenty-five dollars. A second or subsequent violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of fifty dollars.

Senate Status:

02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40, relative to firearms.

SB356

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Possession or carrying of firearms by law enforcement officers.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Tracy, Jim ,

Summary:

Creates a new subsection stating that a law enforcement officer shall not be denied entry to or removed from an event when the officer holds a valid ticket or has paid a required admission fee to attend the event if the denial or removal is based on the officer’s carrying of a firearm. The owner or operator of an event venue may require a law enforcement officer to inform them that the officer will be present at the event and in possession of a firearm.

Senate Status:

02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to possession or carrying of firearms by law enforcement officers.

Comment:

This bill seems to create special privileges for civilians who are attending events based on the person's job duties - although, at the time, the civilian would be off duty and not in the performance of official duties. Class legislation.

SB386/HB367

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Defenses to unlawful possession or carrying of a firearm for persons whose rights of citizenship are restored.

 

Sponsors:

Sen. Green, Mark , Rep. Reedy, Jay

Summary:

Permits the use of certain defenses to unlawful possession or carrying of a weapon by a person with a prior conviction for a felony involving the use of force, violence, deadly weapon, or drugs if the person's rights of citizenship have been restored.

Senate Status:

02/03/17 - Filed for Introduction

House Status:

02/02/17 - Introduced in the House

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1308 and Title 40, Chapter 29, Part 1, relative to firearms.

Position:

Support

Comment:

This fixes a court ruling that has created confusion about restorations and expungments.

HB11

 

CRIMINAL LAW: TN Hearing Protection Act.

 

Sponsors:

Rep. Goins, Tilman

Summary:

Enacts the "Tennessee Hearing Protection Act," which deletes the prohibition on possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a firearm silencer.

House Status:

01/24/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1301 and Section 39-17-1302, relative to prohibited weapons.

Position:

Support

HB99

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Partial expunction of criminal records.

 

Sponsors:

Rep. Lamberth, William

Summary:

Clarifies that partial expunction of criminal records are the removal of electronic records from relevant national, state, and local databases. Adds $5.00 to seat belt violation fines to cover court clerk costs.

House Status:

02/01/17 - Referred to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-32-101 and Section 55-9-603, relative to criminal offenses.

HB170

 

EDUCATION: Permitting veterans to carry handguns on the property of certain postsecondary institutions.

 

Sponsors:

Rep. Matheny, Judd

Summary:

Permits veterans who possess a handgun carry permit to carry a handgun while on property owned, operated, or controlled by a public institution of higher education, if certain requirements are met, including notification of law enforcement agencies. Authorizes local law enforcement to develop and implement policies and procedures designed to implement the notification and confidentiality requirements of this bill.

House Status:

02/03/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 49, relative to permitting veterans to carry handguns on the property of certain postsecondary institutions.

Position:

Neutral

Comment:

This legislation appears to classify citizens and their exercise of fundamental rights based on current or prior jobs or titles.

HB221

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Creates a domestic abuse registry within the Tennessee bureau of investigation.

 

Sponsors:

Rep. Ragan, John

Summary:

Requires persons committing domestic assault or against whom a permanent order of protection has been entered to be placed on a domestic abuse registry maintained by the TBI for a period of 10 years from the expiration of the order or sentence for the conviction. If a conviction is expunged, the name and other identifying information of that person is also removed from the registry upon the person sending the TBI a copy of the expunction order. Requires that the domestic registry must be made available to the public on the TBI website.

House Status:

02/03/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee.

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6 and Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1, relative to the creation of a domestic abuse registry.

HB363

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Possession of firearms in certain places.

 

Sponsors:

Rep. Zachary, Jason

Summary:

Authorizes a handgun carry permit holder to carry a handgun into government-operated buildings unless there are metal detectors and armed security guards stationed at all public entrances.

House Status:

02/02/17 - Introduced in the House

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to the possession of firearms in certain places.

Position:

Amend

Comment:

Good start but need to strengthen relative to properties leased/rented to promoters and also perhaps parking lots.

HB383

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Expungement of records.

 

Sponsors:

Rep. Shaw, Johnny

Summary:

Reduces the fee for expungement to $205. Reduces the time after which sentences have been completed before a person can apply for expungement to one year. Allows a person to obtain expungement for an assault conviction.

House Status:

02/02/17 - Introduced in the House

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-32-101, relative to destruction of records.

Cosponsors:

Rep. Parkinson, Antonio;  Rep. Stewart, Mike; 

Position:

Neutral

HB409

 

EDUCATION: Employees carrying concealed weapons on the property of schools in distressed rural counties.

 

Sponsors:

Rep. Byrd, David

Summary:

Clarifies that the curriculum required before an employee is permitted to carry a handgun on the property of schools in distressed rural counties may be adapted by the instructing law enforcement agency from an existing curriculum approved by POST.

House Status:

02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-816, relative to employees carrying concealed weapons on the property of certain schools.

Comment:

The school grounds issue changed in 2016 with 3 bills that created inconsistent standards depending on what kind of school it was and where it is located. All of these standards need to be addressed and fixed.

HB418

 

CRIMINAL LAW: Reduces expunction fee for criminal convictions.

 

Sponsors:

Rep. Akbari, Raumesh

Summary:

Reduces the expunction fee for criminal convictions from $350 to $180. Changes allocation of fee proceeds.

House Status:

02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction

Caption:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8- 21-401 and Title 40, relative to expunction.

Cosponsors:

Rep. Lamberth, William; 






PS If you want to help us move to get rid of gun free zones, to enact constitutional carry, and to push back against an unwilling legislative leadership and an uncooperative administration, please consider this request to  join, renew and support the Tennessee Firearms Association.  Asking for your member support of TFA is a call to action both financially and, more importantly, a call to affirmative action of individual engagement in a real battle for the restoration of our rights.

Other important links

TFA Website: www.tennesseefirearms.com
TFA PAC: www.tfalac.org
Facebook TFA Page:  www.facebook.com/Tennfirearms/
Facebook TFA Group: www.facebook.com/groups/TennesseeFirearms/
Twitter: @Tennfirearms



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