GovOps committee advances measures on tax credits, health practice rules, caregiving scholarships and reporting requirements

The House Government Operations Committee on March 9 advanced a slate of bills to the next steps in the process. Major outcomes included:

- HB 1571 (sunset for the Department of Agriculture): moved out to calendar and rules (10 ayes, 0 nays).

- HB 2531 (rescue squad grant amendment): amendment adopted; moved out (9 ayes, 0 nays).

- HB 2044 (medical assistant scope cleanup): clarifies delegation by physician assistants and clinic training responsibilities; moved out to calendar and rules (11 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting).

- HB 1632 (dry cleaner environmental response modernization): administration bill to strengthen oversight and clarify redevelopment pathways (VOAP); moved out (14 ayes, 0 nays).

- HB 2546 (Tourism board/executive committee changes): moved out (12 ayes, 1 nay).

- HB 2156 (community investment tax credit): changes measurement to month-end average 12 times per year and allows life insurance companies to qualify; moved to finance/ways-and-means (13 ayes, 1 nay).

- HB 2389 (TennCare psychotropic medication reporting): requires biannual reporting; moved out (14 ayes, 0 nays).

- HB 1443 (Caring for Caregivers Act): proposes a $6,000 annual scholarship for eligible unpaid caregivers; moved to finance/ways-and-means (12 ayes, 1 nay).

Several other sunset extensions and agency matters were advanced or rolled to future meetings. The committee adjourned after rolling remaining items to next week.