NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers are meeting Tuesday to get started on the 2024 legislative session. The day before the formal start of the session, a House of Representatives committee met to make recommendations on rules for how lawmakers can engage with the lawmaking process.
The House Select Committee on Rules recommended that this year, lawmakers called to order twice on the same day will be limited to two minutes of debate for the remainder of the day, and for the following legislative day. If a member is called to order while limited to two minutes, they would not be recognized for the remainder of the day or the next legislative day.
Members may be called to order by the Speaker, who is Rep. Cameron Sexton (R - Crossville), when he decides they violated a rule. When called to order, members are required to sit down, unless permitted. Members can request a parliamentary inquiry if they have questions about the rules during debate. The House clerk would then advise the body about a ruling on the rules.
"In case any member objects and continues, without leave of the House, and if the case require it, such member shall be liable to the censure of the House," the rules said.
The new rules would also say House members can't bring signs or props with displays of any kind that could be used to advocate or oppose legislation. Props and displays also can't contain any "political message whatsoever."
The proposed House rules also said the Speaker can consult with the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader and the sponsor of a bill to set a general time limit for debate.
"When a time limit is established, the time shall be evenly divided between the majority and minority caucuses and the time limit shall be published on the regular calendar," the rules said. "The Majority Leader and the Minority Leader shall have control of the time allotted and may yield time to other members of their caucus."
After the time limit, no lawmakers can be recognized to discuss a bill except for its sponsor, who will have two minutes for closing remarks. After that, the bill will immediately be put to a vote.
The Tennessee House has 75 Republicans and 24 Democrats this year. The members present during the House Select Committee on Rules meeting are listed below.
- Rep. William Lamberth (R - Portland)
- Rep. Karen Camper (D - Memphis)
- Rep. Tandy Darby (R - Greenfield)
- Rep. Jeremy Faison (R - Cosby)
- Rep. Andrew Farmer (R - Sevierville)
- Rep. Rusty Grills (R - Newbern)
- Rep. Gary Hicks (R - Rogersville)
- Rep. Curtis Johnson (R - Clarksville)
- Rep. Johnny Shaw (D - Bolivar)
- Rep. Sam Whitson (R - Franklin)