This bill proposes to increase the percentage of candidates for the Tennessee General Assembly who will be audited by the registry of election finance from 4% to 5%. This change aims to enhance oversight of campaign finances and ensure compliance with election laws.
TN SB0353 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Robert Harshbarger (R), currently “Introduced” since January 28, 2025.
We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 53 of them sponsored by Robert Harshbarger.
Supporters of the bill argue that increasing the audit percentage will promote transparency and accountability in campaign financing. They believe this will help maintain the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that all candidates adhere to the same financial regulations.
Critics of the bill may argue that raising the audit percentage could place an unnecessary burden on candidates and their committees, potentially deterring individuals from running for office. They might also contend that it could lead to increased scrutiny and pressure on candidates, which could stifle political participation.
The bill SB0353 proposes to increase the percentage of general assembly candidates and their committees who will be selected for an audit by the registry of election finance. This legislative change primarily affects the political landscape and the oversight of campaign finance, which does not intersect with the pharmaceutical industry where the sponsor, Robert Harshbarger, is employed. As a pharmacist and owner of Harshbarger Pharmacy, his personal financial interests are rooted in health products, which are unrelated to the governance of election finance audits. Therefore, there are no apparent personal financial gains that could arise from the passage of this bill, as it does not impact the pharmaceutical sector or his business operations directly.
Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.
| Type | Description | Industry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Pharmacist | Pharmaceuticals/Health Products | AI-researched |
| Employer | Owner of Harshbarger Pharmacy | — | TN Legislature bio |
| Business Owner | Owner of Harshbarger Pharmacy | — | TN Legislature bio |
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.
What does TN SB0353 do?
This bill proposes to increase the percentage of candidates for the Tennessee General Assembly who will be audited by the registry of election finance from 4% to 5%. This change aims to enhance oversight of campaign finances and ensure compliance with election laws.
What is the status of TN SB0353?
TN SB0353 is currently “Introduced” in the Tennessee legislature.
Who sponsored TN SB0353?
Robert Harshbarger (R) sponsored TN SB0353.
TN SB0353