Representative David Byrd: District 71 Capitol Hill Update

Essential Workers Act – Public Chapter 384 prohibits a local government from issuing an executive order, resolution or ordinance establishing categories or classes of essential and non-essential businesses for the purpose of requiring them to cease operations unless the fire marshal of a court deems them to be a public safety hazard.

COVID-19 Recovery / F&E Taxes – Public Chapter 154 exempts COVID-19 relief payments received between March 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021 from the state’s Franchise and Excise (F&E) taxes. This legislation provides an excise tax deduction for Tennessee businesses and entities that have received or will receive such relief payments in 2020 and 2021.

COVID-19 Recovery / TN Business Fairness Act – Public Chapter 155 allows businesses to remain open during a pandemic or other health emergency if they follow guidelines issued by any government to keep their customers and employees safe.  The Tennessee Business Fairness Act puts all businesses on the same playing field in a declared state of emergency, so small businesses are not forced to close while their bigger competitors stay open.

Film and Animation Opportunities – Public Chapter 70 allows more incentives for qualified animation or film productions to do business in Tennessee. This legislation creates an additional resource to attract multimedia productions and projects that are in the best interest of the state.

Protecting Free Enterprise / Marketplace Facilitators – Public Chapter 339 ensures there is not a patchwork of onerous regulations on online marketplaces across the state. It protects, for security reasons, the personally identifiable information of the growing number of individuals who utilize these platforms.  

As always, I am truly humbled and honored to be your voice on Capitol Hill. If there is ever any issue I can assist with, please reach out to my office by calling 615-741-2190 or emailing me at [email protected]