Representative David Byrd; District 71 Capitol Hill Update

Republicans pass Truth in Sentencing for 28 violent crimes - The House passed legislation that provides the accountability and truth in sentencing for victims of violent crimes.

House Bill 2656, sponsored by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Cookeville and State Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport requires offenders to serve 100 percent of the sentences handed down by a judge or jury for an additional 28 violent offenses. Those crimes include attempted first-degree murder, second degree murder, vehicular homicide resulting from driver intoxication, aggravated vehicular homicide, especially aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated robbery, carjacking, and especially aggravated burglary.

As amended, additional lower-level violent offenders may reduce their sentence to 85 percent of their sentence by earning credits for completing evidence-based programs that support rehabilitation beyond prison walls. Those credits would apply to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, strangulation or attempted strangulation, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault against a nurse or first responder, vehicular homicide, reckless homicide, aggravated kidnapping, involuntary labor servitude, trafficking, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated arson, possessing a firearm during the commission or attempt to committee a dangerous felony, and manufacture, delivery or sale of a controlled substance. Last year, state lawmakers approved truth in sentencing reform for 31 crimes historically targeting women and children.

Campaign Finance and Ethics Reform Act of 2022 passes the House - The House passed comprehensive legislation that will provide increased transparency and accountability in elections.

House Bill 1201, sponsored by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and State Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, will close loopholes which have in the past been exploited by special interest groups attempting to hide their identity or activities days before an election. The law would simply provide a mechanism to make reporting and disclosing of campaign finances more transparent so that Tennessee voters can truly make more informed decisions.

As amended, the bill proposes several reforms to the state’s existing campaign finance laws. Tax exempt organizations that spend $5,000 or more within a 60-day window of an election would be required to disclose their total expenditures. The bill requires a 501 (c) (4) that spends a minimum $5,000 for campaign materials or communications naming or showing the likeness of a candidate within 60 days of an election to report expenditures.

The legislation enhances interim reporting for candidates and PACs of contributions and expenditures received 10 days before an election. One of the most important changes is that the bill would extend civil penalty joint liability to candidates controlling or serving as officers of PACs. It would prohibit PAC funds from being used to pay assessed penalties on those PACs.

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]