Tennessee HB1767 proposes to eliminate sales tax on food and food ingredients for families with qualified dependents, provided they meet specific income limits. This means that eligible families would pay less for groceries, potentially easing their financial burden. The bill aims to make essential food items more affordable for those who need it most.
Supporters of HB1767 would argue that this bill is a crucial step towards reducing the financial strain on low-income families, helping them access necessary nutrition without the burden of sales tax. They would emphasize that by exempting food from sales tax, the state is prioritizing the well-being of its citizens and supporting families in need.
Critics of HB1767 might contend that exempting food from sales tax could reduce state revenue, which could impact funding for essential services. They may also argue that the bill could create complexity in tax administration and enforcement, potentially leading to confusion among retailers and consumers alike.
Representative John Clemmons, the sponsor of HB1767, has a professional background primarily in the legal field, with no documented personal financial interests in the agriculture or food industries. His primary occupation as an attorney and partner at a law firm does not intersect with the bill's focus on exempting certain food sales from sales tax. Additionally, his roles on various boards and volunteer positions are unrelated to the bill's subject matter. The bill aims to provide tax relief on food purchases for families meeting specific income criteria, which does not appear to offer any direct or indirect financial benefit to Representative Clemmons based on his disclosed financial interests.
Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.
| Type | Description | Industry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Attorney | Lawyers/Law Firms | TN Legislature bio |
| Employer | Partner at Clemmons & Clemons, PLLC | Lawyers/Law Firms | AI-researched |
| Board Member | Board member of Tennessee Bar Association | — | AI-researched |
| Employer | CLEMMONS & CLEMONS, PLLC | Lawyers/Law Firms | TN Ethics Commission |
| Spouse Employer | TRUST INCOME | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Spouse Employer | ENERGY TRANSFER LP | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | TRUST - CAPITAL GAINS | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF NASHVILLE MEMBER from Jan 2009 to current | Education | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | VOLUNTEER LAWYERS & PROFESSIONALS FOR THE ARTS VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY from Jan 2009 to Apr 2018 | Lawyers/Law Firms | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER from Jan 2008 to current | Education | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | HARRY PHILLIPS AMERICAN INN OF COURT BARRISTER from Aug 2015 to Apr 2019 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | NASHVILLE BAR FOUNDATION FELLOW from Mar 2017 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | TENNESSEE COLLEGE OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY - NASHVILLE ADVISORY BOARD from Jun 2018 to Nov 2022 | Education | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | MCCABE PARK LITTLE LEAGUE VOLUNTEER COACH from Aug 2019 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | TENNESSEE BAR ASSOCIATION MEMBER from Nov 2007 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | NASHVILLE BAR ASSOCIATION MEMBER from Nov 2007 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | SILENT NO LONGER TENNESSEE BOARD MEMBER from Feb 2022 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | CORE HOOPS - MBA VOLUNTEER COACH from Jan 2022 to Feb 2023 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | SILENT NO LONGER TN BOARD MEMBER from Jan 2023 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | CLEMMONS AND CLEMONS, PLLC MEMBER from Jul 2013 to current | Lawyers/Law Firms | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | NASHVILLE RBI-BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MIDDLE TN RBI ADVISORY RD from Jan 2014 to Apr 2017 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | FRIENDS OF SEVIER PARK, INC MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS from Apr 2013 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | BELMONT-HILLSBORO NEIGHBORS, INC. EX OFFICIO MEMBER, STEERING COMMITTEE from Jan 2014 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | FIDELITY INVESTMENTS (SPOUSE & 3 MINORS)and Minor Child | Securities & Investment | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | FIDELITY INVESTMENTS, 401(K) | Securities & Investment | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | MML INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Occupation | Law, LEGAL | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | Leadership PAC: INVICTUS PAC | — | TN Ethics Commission |
Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.
About This Analysis
This summary was generated using AI from the bill's official text and metadata. Data sourced from LegiScan and the Tennessee General Assembly. Conflict analysis examines the sponsor's personal financial interests for potential overlaps with the bill's subject matter.
TN HB1767