Stevens Addresses Budget, Proposed Bills at Capitol Talk

HUNTINGDON (March 13) — John Stevens discussed the state budget and provided an update on the legislative session during Friday morning’s Capitol Talk at the Carroll County Civic Center.

The event was the final of three Capitol Talks hosted by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

Stevens, a Republican from Huntingdon, represents Tennessee’s 24th Senate District, which includes Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Houston, Obion, Stewart and Weakley counties. Speaking to local officials, business leaders and residents, he said lawmakers in Nashville are entering one of the most active phases of the session.

“We’re hitting our stride in the legislative session right now,” Stevens said, noting the Senate has begun working with the House on legislation.

Stevens also addressed the state budget. The proposed state budget totals $57.9 billion this year, which he said represents a 9.6 percent decrease from the previous year.

Over recent years, the state directed a significant amount of one-time funding toward capital projects and equipment, including new Tennessee College of Applied Technology facilities, upgrades to state buildings, equipment purchases for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, and funding support for hospitals.

Several bills Stevens is sponsoring were also discussed during the event.

One measure, Senate Bill 1958, would reverse a prior law and require proof of injury before certain lawsuits could proceed. Stevens said the bill is intended to shift decision-making away from litigation and back to the legislative process.

“Tennessee law should be decided through [legislature], not through lawsuits,” Stevens said, adding that the proposal would “restore the balance of power.”

Another proposal addresses funding challenges for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Stevens said lawmakers previously rejected a proposed fee increase for the agency, leaving uncertainty in its long-term funding. His legislation would redirect a portion of the state’s share of payments related to land flooded by the Tennessee Valley Authority to support TWRA operations.

The state receives roughly $200 million from TVA related to flooded property, which is used in part to reimburse local governments for lost tax revenue. About half of that funding goes to local governments, and the remainder to the state.

Stevens said his bill would allocate a portion of the state’s share to TWRA because many of the agency’s managed lands are located along those waterways. The proposal would require redirecting about $16 million annually from the state budget.

Stevens is also sponsoring legislation known as the Chance Carlton Act, named in honor of a Carroll County lineman who died while working in the line of duty last April. The bill would classify utility linemen as first responders for the purpose of state benefits.

If enacted, families of linemen killed in the line of duty would be eligible for a $250,000 annuity paid in equal installments over five years.

Another bill Stevens described would permanently extend a public records exemption for the University of Tennessee related to athletics operations. The measure addresses issues connected to name, image and likeness agreements and other contracts between the university and outside partners.

Stevens said the exemption is meant to prevent sensitive athletic strategy or contractual negotiations from becoming publicly accessible in a way that could disadvantage the university in competition with other schools.

In recognition of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Stevens said he is also sponsoring legislation that would allow certain small fireworks products to be sold in grocery and convenience stores. The bill would apply only to limited items such as sparklers and small novelty devices, while larger aerial fireworks would continue to be sold through existing seasonal retailers.

Questions from local officials and business owners also touched on legislation related to local sales tax distribution, education freedom scholarships and pharmacy regulations. Stevens said some proposals are still moving through committees and could be amended before final votes.

On a bill concerning pharmacy benefit managers and retail pharmacy ownership, Stevens said he remains cautious about government intervention in business competition.

“I tend to be very uncomfortable being put in the position of picking winners and losers in the business marketplace,” he said. “I think my role in government is to preserve competition, not competitors.”

The Capitol Talk series gives residents an opportunity to hear directly from state lawmakers about legislation and issues affecting the region during the current session of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Before Stevens’ address, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the ribbon-cutting of JM Well Service.