On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to address both Governor Bill Lee’s abortion bill (SB 2196) and Senator Janice Bowling’s Rule of Law Life Act (SB 1780), as well as Senator Mark Pody’s SB 1236, which is expected to be amended to contain that same language as SB 1780; however, due to extensive discussion on the governor’s abortion and constitutional gun carry bills, the committee adjourned after addressing them.

The governor’s abortion bill passed out of the committee on a 7-2 vote and will go to the Senate floor perhaps as early as Thursday. The Rule of Law Life Act is now on the committee’s March 10 calendar.

Often committees will hear bills on the same subject together on the same calendar. This would have been ideal, as it would have given FACT President David Fowler an opportunity to explain the distinctions between the governor’s bill and the Rule of Law Life Act. While Gov. Lee’s bill is essentially a modified heartbeat bill, the Rule of Law Life Act goes a step further contending the state has the constitutional power to secure the pre-political, constitutionally protected right of all natural persons, including the unborn, to life.

Today’s commentary explains the major difference between the two types of bills. We will keep you apprised of our progress in our pursuit of the legislation.

News Sources

Senate Bill 2196
Tennessee General Assembly

Senate Bill 1780
Tennessee General Assembly