Senate Education Committee advances SB 15-82, rolls SB 593 and declines SB 189 for lack of a second

The Senate Education Committee took action on several calendar items before hearing from the State Board of Education. Sandra Lamar introduced Senate Bill 189, which would have established a Tennessee Higher Education Commission program offering a $250 state grant to full-time public college students who voluntarily obtain STD testing; the bill received no second and the chair announced it failed for lack of a motion and second.

Chairman White announced that Senate Bill 593 (by Senator Wally) would be rolled for two weeks with no objections.

Later the committee considered Senate Bill 15-82 (sponsored by Senator White). The bill received a motion and second, no amendments were offered, and the clerk recorded a voice vote of nine ayes. The chair announced that "Senate bill 15-82 passes on to the committee on calendar." No roll-call 'no' or abstention votes were recorded in the transcript; the clerk verbally announced each member's aye vote during the tally.

What happens next: SB 15-82 advances on the committee calendar. SB 593 will return to the committee in two weeks. SB 189 did not advance due to procedural failure to secure a motion/second and would need to be reintroduced or re-noticed for future consideration.