2024 TNVET Legislative Agenda
Representatives of the TNVET member organizations met in Nashville on June 3rd, 2023. We moved up this year’s meeting as we want to approach the Governor’s office with a budget request item, instead of asking the legislature.
The following are the TNVET legislative agenda items agreed to by unanimous consent, per constitutional bylaws:
- Electronic Voting for Active Duty.
- Medical Cannabis
- Restoration of the 2nd free auto license plate for 100% disabled veterans
- Identify and Implement processes/procedures that document what the state is accomplishing in hiring qualified veterans within its departments.
- Tax Equalization – Changing state law calculations to stop penalizing 100% disabled qualify veterans for property tax relief based on yearly market value fluctuations.
Details:
Electronic Voting for Active Duty
We have been working on this for a couple of years. Legislation to allow pilot program to test electronic voting for deployed active duty (includes National Guard and Reserves) service members and families, veterans and families along with state civilians that may be stationed outside the continental U.S. A very productive meeting held with representatives of the TN Secretary of State, Sen. Bill Powers, Director for the Montgomery County Election Commission, and representatives of TNVET on Sept 12, 2022 in Clarksville, TN. The goal in 2023 is to work with representatives of the Secretary of State and develop a workable process/concept that addresses security concerns and then in 2024 to pursue legislation that will allow a test of that process/concept. A request for another workshop meeting was made Jun 22, 2023.
The goal, via legislation, is to authorize Montgomery County TN to install and test the process/concept voting system for U.S. military and overseas civilians. The system must meet measures listed by the federal government and is in accordance with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986 and Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (“MOVE Act”), Subtitle H – Military Voting, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010, PUBLIC LAW 111–84—OCT. 28, 2009
The electronic absentee request for ballot and submission of completed ballot would still require an electronic handwritten signature that would be compared to that on file. This may require amendment of TCA 2-6-202 for the purposes of the test. Any penalties for falsehoods or other deliberate acts inconsistent with state law would apply to the electronic voting process.
The electronic absentee ballot would require a paper copy backup that would be downloaded, printed and scanned in accordance to regular paper absentee ballots. The appropriate sections of TCA would reflect that requirement.
Medical Cannabis
This is a continuation of an effort that started for TNVET in the 2022 legislative session. This legislation will allow the medical prescribing and usage.
There is a federal legislative effort in the works that would allow the states to press ahead with such efforts without any federal interference. However, this is NOT moving with any speed. A total of 39 states allow medical cannabis usage. There is growing evidence that such usage may help with a number of medical issues being experienced by military veterans. Tennessee veterans should have the same medical treatment and access as their fellow veterans have in surrounding states without having to sneak over the state line to get it. Only two states that touch Tennessee do not have full medical cannabis utilization laws (although both states are ahead of Tennessee on the issue)……North Carolina and Georgia.
Interesting enough, Tennessee legislation/law approved in 2021 (SB0118/HB0490), already recognizes that Medical Cannabis can help the following conditions:
1) Alzheimer’s disease; (2) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); (3) Cancer, when such disease is diagnosed as end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness, recalcitrant nausea and vomiting, or pain; (4) Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; (5) Epilepsy or seizures; (6) Multiple sclerosis; (7) Parkinson’s disease; (8) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); and(9) Sickle cell disease.
However, the state will not allow the production, processing or sale of the strength needed for the conditions, but will allow you to bring it into the state if you have the proper medical papers/support.
The 2023 bill that went before the Tennessee Legislature was (SB1104)/House Bill 1441 (HB1441), “Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act”. You may access a copy at the bottom of this webpage or at: https://tnvet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SB1104.pdf It is anticipated that the 2024 effort will basically be the same bill.
Restoration of the 2nd free auto license plate for 100% disabled veterans
What had been available to qualified veterans for years, the second free plate was removed in the 2014 legislative session. Veterans who qualified for the current one free plate would be restored the privilege to automatically qualify for a free second plate, if needed.
Identify and Implement processes/procedures that document what the state is accomplishing in hiring qualified veterans within its departments.
The State of Tennessee provides hiring preferences to qualified veterans that apply. What has come to light is there is no tracking to see what numbers of veterans are submitting state job application, how many qualified for jobs and how many were actually selected. Evidence of issues/problems can be found in the “Supporting Document” section below.
In a Jan 25, 2023 meeting with the Commissioner of Veterans Serices, TNVET Executive Board requested and is pursuing resolution of the concern with Tennessee Department of Veterans Services and Tennessee Department of Human Resources.
Tax Equalization
Changing state law calculations to stop penalizing 100% disabled qualify veterans for property tax relief based on yearly market value fluctuations.
Supporting Documents For 2024 Legislative Items:
Electronic Voting for Active Duty
Below are references/research for your use. Place your cursor over the reference article name listed and click. It will take you directly to the source document.
Ref: https://www.fvap.gov/info/reports-surveys/StateoftheMilitaryVoter
Ref: – Federal Absent Uniform Voters and Overseas Voters Act
Ref: https://www.govtech.com/policy/federal-bill-would-allow-online-voting-for-overseas-military
Ref: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117s2328is/pdf/BILLS-117s2328is.pdf
Ref: https://democracylive.com/
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Medical Cannabis
The Tennessee Legislative Bill that was considered in the 2023 session was (SB1104)/(HB1441), “Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act”. You may access a copy of the bill by scrolling to the end of this page and clicking the button.
Medical Cannabis – Federal
Medical Cannabis – Federal
https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2588/BILLS-117hr2588ih.pdf
On Medical Marijuana – VA Policy and Veterans -article
https://militarybenefits.info/va-medical-marijuana/
Medical Cannabis – The States
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/what-states-near-tennessee-allow-medical-cannabis/ar-AA16wT5E
https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx
Medical Cannabis – Alabama
Medical Cannabis – Arkansas
https://www.arkansasmarijuanacard.com/arkansas-marijuana-patients-rights
Medical Cannabis – Florida
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017A/8A/BillText/er/PDF
Medical Cannabis – Georgia
Medical Cannabis – Kentucky
https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1580
Medical Cannabis – Mississippi
Medical Cannabis – Missouri
Medical Cannabis – North Carolina
Medical Cannabis – Virginia
Medical Cannabis – Article
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Restoration of the 2nd free auto license plate for 100% disabled veterans
Ref: The bill that removed two option – https://trackbill.com/bill/tennessee-house-bill-1736-special-license-plates-as-enacted-revises-and-clarifies-various-provisions-of-law-regarding-veteran-and-military-related-license-plates-amends-tca-title-55-chapter-4-and-chapter-318-of-the-public-acts-of-2013/639425/
Ref: Failed action (2019) to restore the two plate option – https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/SB0514.pdf
Ref: Failed action (2022) to restore two-plate option – https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2045
Identify and Implement processes/procedures that document what the state is accomplishing in hiring qualified veterans within its departments.
Ref: https://www.newschannel5.com/longform/is-tbi-fudging-truth-on-veterans-law
Tax Equalization