New Laws Effective July 1 Benefit 1st Responders, Veterans Tuesday, June 29, 2021
As Tennessee ushers in a new fiscal year on July 1, several new laws protecting and benefiting Tennessee’s first responders, active military service members and veterans will take effect.
Among the new laws is legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville) providing volunteer firefighters an annual $600 payment upon completion of at least 30 hours of training. Currently, the cost of any training or equipment is often at their own expense.
Leader Johnson said, “In many parts of our state, volunteer firefighters are the only means of providing emergency fire and medical services.
Roy Exum: How Redistricting Works Tuesday, June 29, 2021 - by Roy Exum
Roy Exum
NOTE: This article has appeared in the last week in several in-state news websites that explains how redistricting works. Once every 10 years, right after the new census in taken, bipartisan committees at the state, county, and local levels determine what is a fair representation of the voters, altering district boundaries to establish an equal population balance. Written by a knowledgeable Lucas Brooks, here is an insight on what that means. Brooks went as far as to present a proposed model, which I have omitted, to allow readers to see what will be proposed in the coming weeks on all three levels.
Redistricting in Tennessee: An explanation of how the system works – Tennessee Lookout tennesseelookout.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tennesseelookout.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Originally published on May 6, 2021 6:58 am
The state legislature has approved a dramatically different approach to handling lawsuits that challenge the constitutionality of Tennessee laws.
If approved by the governor, the move would strip power from judges in Davidson County, who have long handled such cases.
The new method, starting in July, would allow constitutional challenges to be filed anywhere in the state. When they are, the local judge will be joined by two other judges from Tennessee’s other grand divisions as chosen by the state Supreme Court to review the case.
The Tennessean reports the new legal approach was settled on through last-minute compromises Wednesday night.
Tennessee Senate passes bill to give annual $600 training stipend for volunteer firefighters
S.B. 0778 would give $600 in cash supplements for volunteer firefighters who complete 30 hours of in-service training. Author: WBIR Staff Updated: 6:17 PM EDT April 30, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Volunteer firefighters may soon take home more money if a bill proposed by Tennessee lawmakers becomes law.
S.B. 0778 would provide annual $600 payments for volunteer firefighters who complete at least 30 hours of in-service training a year. Officials said that 64% of firefighters in Tennessee are volunteers who pay for any training or equipment they receive, according to officials.
It was introduced by Senator Jack Johnson (R - Williamson County) and is funded in Governor Bill Lee s budget proposal. The budget also includes $1 million for grants to volunteer fire departments.