Government & Legal Update 113th General Assembly Convenes—Advocacy Update

The 113th General Assembly convened on January 10th for a three-day “organizational session.” Business was mostly procedural as legislators were sworn-in and each chamber elected leadership and adopted rules of order. After a few more necessary “housekeeping” matters, such as committee appointments (more on that below), the legislature adjourned to make way for the governor’s inauguration on January 21st, where Bill Lee (R-Franklin) was sworn into office for his second and final term in office.

The Tennessee Senate elected Randy McNally for another term as Speaker and Lieutenant Governor, a post he’s held for the past six years. A veteran legislator from Oak Ridge, McNally has served in the senate since 1987, following eight years in the Tennessee House of Representatives. McNally is the longest-serving member of the General Assembly.

State Representatives re-elected Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) to his second full term as Speaker of the House. Sexton has represented Cumberland County in the state house since 2011.

Both leaders understand and appreciate the important role Tennessee’s independent agents play in their communities and across the state.

Senate’s Commerce and Labor Committee

The Senate’s Commerce and Labor Committee remained unchanged from the previous general assembly. As the committee of jurisdiction over insurance industry legislation, maintaining relationships and dialogue with members of “Senate Commerce” is critical to our mission. Members of the Commerce and Labor Committee for the 113th General Assembly are as follows:

Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), Chair

Art Swann (R-Maryville), Vice Chair

Frank Nicely (R-Strawberry Plains)

Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis)

Jack Johnson (R-Franklin)

Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro)

Steve Southerland (R-Morristown)

Bo Watson (R-Hixson)

Ken Yager (R-Kingston)

The House Insurance Committee will have quite a few new faces, although Sabi Kumar (R-Springfield) will retain the gavel, having served as chairman for the past two years.

Sabi Kumar (R-Springfield), Chair

Brock Martin (R-Huntingdon)*

Elaine Davis (R-Knoxville)*

Bob Freeman (D-Nashville)

Esther Helton-Haynes (R-East Ridge)

Caleb Hemmer (D-Nashville)*

Curtis Johnson (R-Clarksville)

Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville)*

Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville)

Bryan Richey (R-Maryville)*

Iris Rudder (R-Winchester)

Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna)*

Dwayne Thompson (D-Cordova)

Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville)

Kip Capley (R-Summertown)*

Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro)

Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka)

Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro)

Gary Hicks (R-Rogersville)