Tennessee House Bill HB0050

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/11/23
• Refer: 2/22/23
• Chaptered: 3/28/23
• Passed: 3/28/23

Caption

AN ACT to revise and codify the general and public statutes of the State of Tennessee, to the extent incorporated herein, as a part of Tennessee Code Annotated; to provide in case of any conflict between Acts of the regular or any extraordinary 2023 Session of the General Assembly and this Act, the former shall be controlling, regardless of the respective dates of passage or approval; and to repeal all acts or parts of acts codified in this Act.

Impact

The passage of HB 0050 has a direct impact on how statutes are organized and referenced within Tennessee law. By codifying acts from the previous year, it streamlines legal references and helps maintain clarity in the legislative framework. This codification ensures that updates to the law are systematically integrated, which reduces confusion and enhances legal certainty for both citizens and practitioners. As nearly all general laws passed during the last legislative session are encapsulated in this bill, it plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity of the legal system in Tennessee.

Summary

House Bill 0050 is a significant legislative act aimed at revising and codifying the general and public statutes of the State of Tennessee. The bill serves the purpose of integrating recent public acts into the Tennessee Code, effectively updating the state’s official compilation of laws. This is an annual undertaking by the General Assembly, as it ensures that the body of law remains relevant and cohesive in the face of new legislative developments. Importantly, the bill includes provisions to address conflicts between current and new legislation, affirming the precedence of older acts in such cases.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 0050 is largely positive, given that it is a routine legislative procedure that supports the effective functioning of state laws. The broad consensus among legislators appears to be one of approval, as evidenced by a unanimous vote during the floor discussion, where the bill passed with 98 votes in favor and none against. This reflects a collective recognition of the importance of codification in enabling a well-structured legal system, thus emphasizing cooperation across party lines in this instance.

Contention

While the discussion around HB 0050 has been generally supportive, the bill's nature as a codification act means that it typically does not engage in controversial debates on substantive law changes. Notably, the bill aims to repeal any conflicting acts from previous sessions, which could lead to specific legal ambiguities if those repealed acts addressed local considerations. However, such contention has not surfaced prominently in the legislative discussions, indicating a focus on procedural compliance rather than substantive changes.