The Finance, Ways, and Means Committee of the Tennessee State Legislature convened on April 14, 2025, to discuss a series of significant legislative measures, with a focus on enhancing victims' rights and public safety.

The standout moment of the meeting was the unanimous approval of House Joint Resolution 48, known as Marshy's Law, which aims to enshrine enforceable victims' rights into the state constitution. Chairman Doggett emphasized the importance of this amendment, stating it would provide essential protections for victims. The resolution passed with a vote of 26-0, reflecting strong bipartisan support.

Following this, the committee reviewed House Joint Resolution 49, which proposes a constitutional amendment allowing judges to deny bail based on evidence that a suspect poses a flight risk or threat to public safety. This measure also received unanimous backing, passing with another 26-0 vote, indicating a clear commitment to enhancing public safety measures in Tennessee.

Another notable discussion centered on House Bill 12-42, which aims to streamline oversight of pharmaceutical companies by transferring enforcement authority to the Attorney General's office. This bill, which also includes provisions to ensure compliance with federal and state laws regarding sensitive issues, passed with a vote of 27-0.

The committee also addressed House Bill 11-99, which proposes the appointment of non-voting high school students to local education boards, fostering civic engagement among youth. This bill passed with a vote of 23-2, highlighting a growing interest in involving younger generations in governance.

Lastly, the committee discussed a domestic violence registry bill, named after a tragic local incident, which aims to prevent future violence by tracking offenders. This bill, which was previously passed but not funded, is now included in the budget, marking a significant step forward in addressing domestic violence in the state.

Overall, the meeting underscored the committee's proactive approach to legislative reform, focusing on victim rights, public safety, and community engagement, with all proposed measures moving forward to the next stages of the legislative process.