To the Citizens of Tennessee Senate District 15

Friends,

As we move closer to the end of session, things are picking up quickly at the Capitol. This week, I was proud to see two pieces of legislation I sponsored move forward – both focused on protecting Tennesseans and reinforcing common-sense principles.

Protecting Foster Families’ Second Amendment Rights

The Senate passed legislation I sponsored to ensure foster parents are not forced to give up their constitutional rights when they open their homes to a child.

This bill makes it clear: law-abiding foster families should not face unnecessary government intrusion over legally owned firearms. While safety requirements remain in place, the state cannot create an inventory of firearms or require access to locked storage during routine inspections.

At the end of the day, Tennesseans should never have to choose between helping a child in need and exercising their constitutional rights.

Updating Tennessee’s Auto Industry Laws

Another bill I’m sponsoring also moved forward this week to update Tennessee’s automobile franchise and regulatory laws.

In simple terms, this brings clearer rules for how manufacturers, dealers, and automobile-related businesses operate. That means fewer gray areas, more consistency, and a system that better reflects today’s economy – not outdated regulations.

This is about keeping Tennessee business-friendly while also making sure consumers are protected.

Protecting Kids Online

The Senate also advanced legislation creating a fund to support children’s mental health and online safety.

If companies are found to have harmed minors, money recovered from those cases will go directly toward helping kids – including mental health services, suicide prevention, and law enforcement efforts.

If harm is being done, those resources should go back to helping families.

Supporting Our Communities

A few other measures moving this week:

• Legislation to ensure rescue squads receiving state support are properly recognized and accountable
• Expanded protections for arson investigators facing long-term health risks
• Consumer protection efforts to crack down on hidden fees and strengthen privacy safeguards

As always, I’ll continue working to protect Tennessee families, support our communities, and keep our state moving in the right direction.

Also, we had a great week welcoming visitors to Nashville – be sure to check out some of the photos from the Capitol this week.

Thank you for staying engaged.

Sincerely,

Senator Paul Bailey