It’s Day four of the special legislative session today in Nashville, where the School Voucher Bill is set for debate on both the House and Senate floors.
Other pieces of legislation related to the special session are now headed to the Governor for his signature.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
The piece of legislation Radio Greeneville News first told you about on Monday is related to property tax relief for those who lost homes and property during the September flooding. House Bill 6007 is sponsored by Representative Jeremy Faison of Cocke County and Senate Bill 6007 is sponsored by Senator Rusty Crowe of Washington, Carter and Unicoi counties. As we told you earlier in the week, Greene County Property Assessor Chuck Jeffries has been leading the charge for affected property owners in Greene and other nearby flood ravaged counties to be reimbursed. The bills would provide property owners whose property was destroyed or damaged with payments with up to 130% of their total 2024 property tax levy. The money would not automatically flow to the eligible residents. Qualifying property owners would work with the local property assessors to apply for the funds.
HURRICANE HELENE INTEREST PAYMENT FUND/ GOVERNOR’S RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND
House Bill 6003 and Senate Bill 6003 would create two funds. The first would be used to help cover local governments interest costs on money borrowed for Hurricane Helene recovery. The second would be used by TEMA for Helene relief such as agriculture recovery, unemployment assistance and business recovery assistance. Those funds would be disbursed through grants or loans to third parties.
IMMIGRATION
The immigration proposals under Senate and House Bills 6002, would create criminal penalties for officials who adopt sanctuary policies. That bill also requires the Department of Public Safety to issue lawful permanent residents a temporary driver’s license instead of a standard license. The temporary license would be used to help determine voter eligibility for someone who presents a Tennessee driver’s license as identification.
