As the state legislature gets in full swing for the session, one local lawmaker is hosting a pair of town hall meetings to touch base with the citizens he represents, with the first being this week in Hampton.

State Rep. Timothy Hill (R-Blountville) will hold Town Hall meetings on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8. Hill represents Tennessee House District 3, which includes portions of Carter, Sullivan and Johnson counties.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 p.m., Hill will host a Town Hall at Laurel Fork Restaurant, located at 201 Highway 321, in Hampton. The second meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m., at Lois’ Country Cafe, located at 542 W. Main St., in Mountain City.

The events are free and open to the public and will provide an opportunity for the citizens of House District 3 to provide input on important state issues.

“We’re going to be talking about the upcoming legislative session,” Hill said regarding the constituent meetings. “The input of constituents is the guiding principle we all use on a daily basis in making key decisions within the Tennessee General Assembly.”

“Your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions allow us to keep a pulse on our communities and represent your interests to the best of our abilities,” Hill added. “As we dive into this year’s legislative session, I am looking forward to hearing from each of you.”

On Monday evening, Governor Bill Haslam delivered his final State of the State address, which included information on his proposal to battle the state’s opioid crisis.

“We’re going to be talking about some of the finer points of that plan during the Town Halls,” Hill said.

In addition to giving his constituents an update on what bills are being considered in Nashville, Hill said he would also open the meetings up for those in attendance to ask questions or voice their concerns with issues.

“That’s my favorite parts of these Town Hall meetings, hearing from the people I represent,” Hill said.

Sometimes the constituents talk with him about very personal matters, such as issues with TennCare, and sometimes they want to talk about the politics of the capitol.

One of the largest issues members of the Tennessee House and Senate will be facing this year, according to Hill, is addressing the opioid crisis. Haslam has already presented his proposal to combat the issue, but Hill anticipates the legislature will have some proposed legislation dealing with the crisis as well.

“The opioid issue is by far the most far-reaching issue we’re going to try to tackle,” Hill said.

The bill filing deadline is quickly approaching, and Hill said he is interested to see the legislative proposals his colleagues file dealing with the opioid crisis as well as other issues.