Capitol Hill Week: Republican Party perspective

Paul Bailey

 ( April 23, 2021) - Legislation I am co-sponsoring with Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson to boost the quality and number of apprenticeship programs to prepare Tennesseans for in-demand careers was approved this week in the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee.  Senate Bill 752 creates the Office of Apprenticeship within the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to administer pre-apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships. 

Apprenticeship programs help prepare workers for in-demand careers, while addressing a shortage of trained workers needed to recruit new and better paying jobs.  This legislation will provide more information about what apprenticeship programs are succeeding and improvements that can be made to facilitate greater success.  In addition, it will give the state more ability to recruit apprenticeships in emerging and high-growth sectors such as health care and information technology, in addition to traditional industries such as manufacturing and construction.

Currently, sponsors register their apprenticeships directly through the federal Department of Labor.  This bill establishes an agency at the state level, like 26 other states which have apprenticeship agencies which focus on opportunities for higher-paying, in-demand jobs. 

The bill will now be heard on final consideration by the full Senate.

Silver Alert/Missing Persons - Another bill I am co-sponsoring advanced through the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee this week to create a statewide Silver Alert Program to strengthen local efforts to safely recover seniors and vulnerable adults with disabilities who are missing in Tennessee. Senate Bill 102 puts implementation and oversight for the program under the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which has been effective in overseeing the state’s Amber Alert Program to locate missing children.  Governor Bill Lee included the cost of the legislation in his supplemental appropriations amendment presented to lawmakers last week.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in 10 people with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia will wander away from their care settings.  Disorientation begins in the early stage of dementia, causing people to get lost.

In other Senate action, legislation aimed at protecting the property and operations of Tennessee farmers passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Senate Bill 285 would define farms and farm machinery as critical infrastructure whose vandalism would result in at least a Class E felony. Under this bill, “farm and farm machinery” would include real property, vehicles, equipment, machinery, animals and crops contained on a farm. The legislation was introduced to address acts of vandalism that have been costing farmers thousands of dollars in lost production. The measure has already passed the House and is being prepared to be heard by the full Senate for a final vote.

In a week set aside annually to promote awareness of crime victims, the Senate Judiciary Committee also advanced legislation this week to ensure restitution paid to them is prioritized in Tennessee.  Senate Bill 893 reaffirms the state’s commitment to victims’ rights by outlining an order of priority for funds paid into court for any criminal case.  It reorders the new priorities to ensure the victim is paid restitution first. Then litigation taxes would be paid second, court costs would be third and finally payment of the fine.

The measure also extends the amount of time a victim has to apply for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund from one to two years. This fund reimburses victims of violent crimes and their dependents who have suffered out-of-pocket expenses due to physical injuries, loss of income or death.  The bill now moves to the full Senate for final consideration.

The committee also approved legislation protecting some of Tennessee’s most vulnerable crime victims – children and the elderly.  Senate Bill 432 seeks to aid in the prosecution of individuals committing abuse, neglect, or sexual or financial exploitation of the elderly. The legislation provides that all fines imposed on a number of crimes committed in relation to elder abuse will be used for the purpose of providing services for the victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable person. Furthermore, the funds may be used by the District Attorney’s Conference to implement educational programs to prevent such crimes.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee for consideration of its cost.

In addition, committee members voted to protect some of Tennessee youngest victims by expanding the definition of “severe child abuse” as it involves their exposure to certain extremely dangerous drugs.  Under Senate Bill 1530, an individual that knowingly allows a child to be in the presence of and have accessibility to such drugs as cocaine, methamphetamine or fentanyl will be guilty of severe child abuse.

As we wind down this legislative session over the next two weeks, I hope you will continue to contact me to express your views on the issues we face.  It is an honor to serve you in the State Senate and I hope you will always feel free contact me when I can help you.