State legislators speak at 2025 Regional Legislative Breakfast

KINGSPORT — State lawmakers from across Northeast Tennessee outlined their legislative priorities during the 24th annual Regional Legislative Breakfast hosted Friday by the Kingsport Chamber. The event brought together local elected officials and business leaders to hear state lawmakers discuss topics and bills they are addressing in the Tennessee General Assembly. Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable also was honored for his decades of service. Harshbarger State Sen. Bobby Harshbarger, R-Kingsport, said one bill he has been working on recently passed. It addresses landlords, tenants and the lawful possession of firearms in residential properties. "So in my deal, Senate Bill 350 included both commercial and residential properties. But I believe in the House they removed commercial. So this will be focused purely on residential," he said. Harshbarger spent most of his time discussing a proposal dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, the companies that administer prescription drug benefits for insurers. "Transparency is terrible when it comes to this. It's almost like a big black box," Harshbarger said. He explained that PBMs determine which medications are covered, what patients pay in copays and how much pharmacies are reimbursed. "There are insurance companies now that are fully integrated, not only from the insurance perspective, but they actually own physical pharmacies, their own medical clinics," he said. "You can be a PBM and perform all the functions of a pharmacy benefit manager, or you can be a pharmacy. You just can't be both. That's a major conflict of interest, and I'm just trying to have a free, open market where competition can flow." Harshbarger said roughly four companies control about 80% of the prescription market, calling it a $500 billion industry. He said the bill has gained significant attention in Nashville and beyond. "When we decided to run and be public servants, we don't go to Nashville to go along to get along," Harshbarger said. "We're there to fight for what is right and what is right for our communities. It's an honorable lifetime to represent you and be that civil servant for you." Crawford State Rep. John Crawford, R-Kingsport, said education and childcare remain priorities in Northeast Tennessee. "In a two- or three-income family home, basically one of the spouses is working just to cover insurance and cover childcare," Crawford said. "That hurts everybody, and so we're looking at ways we can make that more affordable." He said many childcare centers have waiting lists and that lawmakers are exploring ways to expand access and reduce costs in the region. Crawford also emphasized the strength of the Northeast Tennessee delegation. "You guys have the best delegation in all the state. We work together. We know we're much stronger together," he said. "We don't always agree … but we all have the same goal. That's to make Northeast Tennessee the best it possibly can be and to make sure Northeast Tennessee is getting its fair share." Hulsey State Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport, who announced last month that he will not seek a seventh term, reflected on his time in office. He urged citizens to remain committed to both Scripture and the U.S. Constitution. "There are some evil, evil things looming on the horizon against this nation," Hulsey said. "Since it's my last breakfast with you, I just want to tell you what my heart believes is the answer to preserve and secure this republic." He called for repentance and a renewed commitment to faith, adding that Americans must "always preserve and defend and hold dear at any cost the Constitution of the United States of America." "I never wanted to be a politician," he said. "What I wanted to be was a statesman who would stand with one foot firmly planted in the Holy Scripture and the other foot firmly planted in the Constitution of the United States. It's worth defending." He closed by thanking the community for its support. "Lots of you have been my friends for a long time and I just want you to know that I really love you folks. Thank you for the honor," Hulsey said. Mayor Venable honored The breakfast also included a tribute to retiring Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable, who is stepping down after roughly 40 years in public service, including 16 years as mayor. Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby presented Venable with a plaque recognizing his leadership and impact on the region. "His steady hand, vision for progress and genuine care for the people he serves have left a lasting mark that will benefit this region for generations," Woodby said. "Mayor Venable's legacy is not only measured in projects completed or milestones reached, but in the trust he built and the lives he positively impacted." Local mayors also presented Venable with a commemorative clock inscribed, "In honor of your duty and timeless impact." Venable thanked his colleagues and the community. "There is no greater honor than to represent you, and the second greatest honor is to be recognized by your peers," he said. He also praised the Northeast Tennessee delegation. "You've never had a more influential group in Nashville than these people sitting behind me," Venable said. "They have worked their way up and shown the integrity and the character that they've been chosen for leadership by their peers."