Walley: Legislature Nears Adjournment as Key Bills Move Forward

State Senator Page Walley says lawmakers are entering the final stretch of the legislative session as committees wrap up their work and attention turns to budget negotiations. Governor Bill Lee’s administration is preparing additional requests to the original state budget proposal.

Walley’s Senate Bill 1469 establishing legal protections for minors featured in monetized social media content has passed the Senate. The bill requires a portion of earnings to be placed in a trust for children who appear in monetized content, guarantees creators ages 14 to 17 keep their earnings, and allows minors 14 and older to request removal of online content featuring their likeness. The measure now moves to the House.

Lawmakers also approved Senate Bill 1793 to strengthen Tennessee’s recycling marketplace and address growing landfill capacity. The legislation modernizes the state’s recycling support office within the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and creates a public-private advisory council to recruit recycling businesses and recommend improvements. The proposal adds no new mandates or taxes.

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Senate Bill 1726 to strengthen tracking of repeat domestic violence offenders, building on last year’s Savannah’s Law. The bill now heads to the Finance Committee.

Meanwhile, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved Senate Bill 2242 to expand healthcare access in rural areas by granting pharmacists limited authority to prescribe medications, treat minor ailments, assist with tobacco cessation, and provide care for patients with existing diagnoses. Pharmacists must maintain patient records for at least 10 years. The measure advances to the Senate floor.

Walley encouraged residents to share their input by contacting his office at sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov or 615-741-2368.