Representative Brock Martin Discusses Legislative Issues, New Bills at Capitol Talk

HUNTINGDON (January 16) — State Representative Brock Martin (R-Huntingdon) was the featured speaker at the first of three Capitol Talks hosted by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

Martin represents portions of Carroll, Gibson and Henderson counties. During the forum, he discussed current legislative issues, education policy and several bills he is sponsoring this session, including one inspired by the late lineman Chance Carlton, who died while working during severe flooding in April 2025.

Brad Hurley, president of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Martin to the event, which was held at the Carroll County Civic Center. Martin was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in November 2022 and currently serves on the Commerce, Health and Insurance committees. He is seeking re-election this November.

A Benton County native, Martin is a graduate of Camden High School, Bethel University and the Logan School of Chiropractic in St. Louis. He recently served as a member of the Bethel University board of trustees and as treasurer of the Huntingdon Industrial Development Board. Martin and his wife, Krista, operate Southern Chiropractic. They have two children and are expecting another.

Rep. Martin shared two ongoing conversations about property taxes:

A proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot would determine whether Tennessee could ever impose a state property tax. Although Tennessee has not had a statewide property tax since the 1940s, the amendment would permanently prohibit one.

Martin also referenced a proposal by Rep. Chris Todd (R-Madison County) that would raise the state sales tax in an effort to eliminate property taxes. Martin described sales tax as “more of a fair tax across the board” than property taxes. The bill has not yet been filed.

Next, Rep. Martin discussed the school choice bill from 2025:

"It's not going to be repealed this year, I'll tell you that," said Rep. Martin. "We're going to continue to move forward and look at it."

Rep. Martin addressed that people in private schools profited most from the school choice bill in its first year. He addressed a common misconception, explaining the differences between the new Educational Freedom Scholarship (created with the school choice bill) and the Educational Savings Account (created in 2019).

In 2025, 350 families from Carroll, Gibson and Henderson counties applied for the program. Gibson County had the most applications, followed by Henderson County. Carroll County had 75 applicants.

Martin said he supported the legislation because education models are changing and state policy must adapt.

“I’m at the table at least still arguing for what our rural districts need,” he said.

Martin also addressed third-grade retention. Last year, 42 percent of Tennessee third graders met or exceeded TCAP standards—an 11-point increase since legislative changes were enacted. Fifth-grade scores were also at an all-time high.

While current efforts focus on third- and fifth-grade retention, Martin said early intervention should begin in kindergarten through second grade. He also believes fourth-grade intervention is more effective than summer programs between fourth and fifth grade.

Martin outlined three bills he is sponsoring this session.

The first would classify gas utility and electric line workers as emergency first responders for state benefits during emergencies. The bill is inspired by Chance Carlton, a Carroll County Electric lineman who died while responding to severe flooding in April 2025. Martin is working on the legislation with Rep. Dennis Powers of East Tennessee.

“If, heaven forbid, it ever happened again where there was an emergency and an individual were to die on the scene, there would be a way to get some money back to that family,” Martin said.

Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon) will sponsor the bill in the Senate. Martin said it could pass in 2026.

Another bill would increase the fee paid by convicted offenders to the Carl Perkins Center from $45 to $120.

The third bill addresses prior authorization in healthcare. It would require medical professionals making authorization decisions for Tennessee patients to be licensed in the state.

“As a healthcare provider, it is desperately, desperately needed,” Martin said.

Martin also discussed funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program, made possible by the passage of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Tennessee will receive $200 million in 2026 and a total of $1 billion over five years to support rural healthcare initiatives.

Martin outlined five focus areas of the program:

First, the program will expand care, access and capacity. This includes increasing ambulance services across the state.

Second, the program will impact maternal health and infant health by implementing mobile clinics and getting rural birthing units into local hospitals or areas compatible with birthing. Tennessee currently leads the country in infant and maternal mortality.

Third, Rep. Martin said the program will make rural Tennessee healthy again by funding mental health and substance abuse programs and funding services for children with special needs.

Fourth, the program will modernize technology. Legislators want to make hospitals across the state better interconnected so a patient could get specialty healthcare without making multiple trips hours out of town.

Fifth, the program will build workforce retention and recruitment by continuing to work with high schools and technology schools

Representative Tandy Darby (R-Greenfield) will speak at the Carroll County Civic Center on February 13 at 8 a.m. for the second Capitol Talk of 2026. Tennessee Senator John Stevens will close the Capitol Talk series March 13.