I’m Bobby Harshbarger, your state senator for Sullivan and Hawkins counties. Follow my work, explore my votes, and connect with my campaign.
I’m a husband, a father, a pharmacist, and a lifelong member of the Northeast Tennessee community. I grew up in Sullivan County, graduated from Dobyns-Bennett, and studied at ETSU before earning my pharmacy degree at Mercer University, where I met Erin.
Erin and I returned home to raise our two sons. Being their dad makes me think carefully about the future we are building for every child. Pharmacy has taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of finding practical answers when someone needs help. I bring that same care to serving Sullivan and Hawkins counties.
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I want people to feel comfortable telling me what is working, what is frustrating, and what needs attention. Taking time for those conversations helps keep my work grounded in everyday life. My commitment is to listen carefully, ask questions, and stay connected to the people I serve.
More about me →54 sponsored bills carried into law, listed here. Includes bills I sponsored or co-sponsored during the 114th General Assembly, with primary-sponsored laws listed first.
I sponsored legislation giving property assessors more time to identify disaster damage that could qualify a property owner for a state direct payment.
Read the bill & provisions for SB0782I sponsored a law strengthening debt reporting by state and local public entities, so financial problems reach the officials responsible for oversight.
Read the bill & provisions for SB0114I sponsored legislation placing the Tennessee One Health Committee under the state’s open-meetings law.
Read the bill & provisions for SB0908Explore the enacted laws and my role in each.
See my enacted lawsFamily budgets. Safe neighborhoods. Opportunities for our children. I’ve sponsored and supported laws addressing the concerns families bring to the kitchen table. Choose an issue to see the legislation and my votes.
I voted for child-care assistance pilots for eligible working families and child-care workers. Beginning in 2027, these programs provide new ways to share child-care costs, subject to funding and eligibility.
Explore related votes on AffordabilityI sponsored a law strengthening state oversight of property reappraisals and voted for a workforce-housing loan pilot. These laws address assessment procedures and housing development; they do not set local property-tax rates.
Explore related votes on Property taxes & housing expensesI voted for laws encouraging apprenticeships on major state construction projects and recognizing qualifying military families’ occupational licenses. These measures address job training and licensing barriers for people seeking work in Tennessee.
Explore related votes on Jobs & opportunityI sponsored a law tightening bail requirements for specified serious charges, including aggravated assault and felony domestic assault. It sets a $10,000 bail presumption while allowing judges to set less with written findings.
Explore related votes on Immigration, crime & public safetyI voted to apply prompt-payment rules to payments to pharmacists and remove aggregate penalty caps for pharmacy benefit manager violations. This strengthens enforcement of the payment rules pharmacies rely on when providing prescriptions.
Explore related votes on Access to healthcareI voted to strengthen civil enforcement of Tennessee’s restrictions on abortion-drug delivery and to simplify joint adoption filings. These laws address protection of unborn life and practical support for families welcoming children.
Explore related votes on Pro-life & family supportI co-sponsored a law requiring legislative approval for covered agency rules estimated to impose more than $1 million in compliance costs over five years. Beginning in 2027, it adds elected oversight of costly regulations.
Explore related votes on Limited governmentI sponsored legislation protecting residential tenants’ lawful firearm possession in their homes and specified access areas, with defined exceptions. The protections apply to covered leases entered into, changed, or renewed beginning January 1, 2027.
Explore related votes on Gun rightsI voted for male-and-female definitions in government policy and sex-based rules for shared restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping arrangements in specified facilities. These laws address definitions and privacy, with exceptions explained in the bill details.
Explore related votes on Biological sex & women’s privacyThese examples became law during the 114th General Assembly. Follow each bill for its provisions, effective dates, and my recorded vote.
Search summaries, key provisions, and my final Senate floor votes.
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Read Bobby’s BriefEmail info@bobbyfortn.com with your question or request. Find the details to include on my contact page.
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