Tennessee House Bill HB2875

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3 and Title 4, relative to legislative measures.

Impact

If enacted, HB2875 would have a direct impact on how legislative measures are prepared and presented in Tennessee. The bill instructs the office of legal services to establish a standardized system that will be consistently applied across legislative sessions. This initiative is expected to promote a clearer comprehension of proposed laws, thus aiding not only legislators but also members of the public in following legislative discussions effectively. An important aspect of this bill is the requirement for consultation with party leadership during the development of drafting parameters, ensuring that both majority and minority perspectives are considered.

Summary

House Bill 2875 seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated by introducing significant reforms to the drafting of legislative measures. The primary objective of this bill is to enhance the clarity and transparency of legislative documents by mandating the use of distinct fonts, colors, or styles of text. This differentiation aims to help readers easily identify existing laws, proposed changes, amendments, and deletions in legislative texts. By implementing a systematic approach to legislative drafting, the bill emphasizes the importance of accessibility in understanding legislative documents, thereby potentially increasing civic engagement in the legislative process.

Contention

Though the details of contention surrounding HB2875 were not extensively documented, the implications of changing drafting practices may spur debates over the efficiency and efficacy of the proposed system. Some may argue that while clarity is essential, the new requirements could complicate the drafting process or divert resources from other legislative priorities. Policymakers and advocates may engage in discussions about balancing the need for transparency with practical aspects of legislative efficiency. As this bill progresses towards its intended effective date of July 1, 2025, stakeholders are likely to discuss various scenarios regarding its implementation and impact on future legislative procedures.