Gov. Bill Lee has confirmed the Tennessee Capitol Commission will discuss removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from its perch between the House and Senate chambers.

The governor told reporters Thursday he will call for the commission – which controls items in and around the State Capitol – to meet and make a decision on the bust of the embattled Confederate general, a slave trader before the Civil War and grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan afterward, yet also a hero to many Tennesseans for his exploits in battle.

Lee said previously “at a minimum,” historical context should be added around the Forrest bust. But he is also open to a “broader discussion,” according to his spokesman.

“I’m sure they will consider it,” Lee said of the Capitol Commission. “I’ve said before we need to have more conversation about that, and that conversation will happen when they do meet. So that will be part of what they’re being called for.”

Lee did not say what recommendation he would make to the Capitol Commission. Two years ago, the panel turned down a recommendation by then-Gov. Bill Haslam to remove the Forrest bust from the Capitol.

The governor made his statement on the heels of appointing Tyreece Miller, deputy chief of the Jackson Police Department, and Hallerin Hill of Knox County, a talk radio show host, to serve on the Capitol Commission, both of whom are African Americans. They will replace two members who voted against removal of the bust in 2017, King Rogers of Memphis and Tammy White of Knoxville, both of whom are white.

Lee committed in July to lead an effort to change a state law requiring the governor to sign a proclamation each year for Nathan Bedford Forrest Day in Tennessee. The governor’s spokesman said he would do so “in part because he understands the pain and hurt this particular part of our history causes to many Tennesseans.”

Numerous African American legislators say it bothers them to know the Forrest bust is allowed to stand in a building owned by all Tennesseans. It was placed in the Capitol in 1978 and sits on a pedestal near an elevator where visitors pass each day.

State Rep. G.A. Hardaway, chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators and a proponent of the bust’s removal, said Thursday the governor’s appointees should have some idea what steps he wants to take.

“He’s expressed some sentiments in reference to those busts, so the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators will be looking for him to represent people of color when that decision is made,” said Hardaway, a Memphis Democrat.

The Black Caucus wants the bust removed, Hardaway said, adding the only way it can be placed in the proper context is to relocate it to a museum. The caucus would not favor adding context at its location in the Capitol, he said.

“(Forrest) did not serve and that area should be reserved for those who have a (direct) relationship to serving the people of the state of Tennessee. He served the Confederate Army,” Hardaway said.

The Capitol Commission does not hold regular meetings but gathers when called by the chairman, in this case Finance & Administration Commissioner Stuart McWhorter.

In September 2017, the Capitol Commission voted 7-5 to reject a motion seeking a waiver from the Tennessee Historical Commission to relocate the Forrest bust to the State Museum.

If Lee were to seek a waiver from the Capitol Commission, he would have to flip a couple of votes before the matter could be taken to the Historical Commission, a 13-member body made up mainly of architects, historians and archaeologists.

Voting to relocate the bust two years ago were Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry; Finance & Administration Commissioner Larry Martin; Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau; Fisk University professor of history Reavis Mitchell, who was chairman of the Historical Commission; and General Services Commissioner Bob Oglesby.

Voting in opposition were Secretary of State Tre Hargett; state Rep. Curtis Johnson, a Clarksville Republican; state Sen. Jack Johnson, a Franklin Republican and now Senate Majority Leader; State Treasurer David Lillard; Rogers, an attorney with Glankler Brown; White, president and CEO of Leadership Knoxville, and Comptroller of the Treasury Justin Wilson.

New members are Commissioner of Finance & Administration McWhorter, replacing Martin; General Services Commissioner Christi Branscom, replacing Oglesby; Environment and Conservation Commissioner David Salyers, replacing Martineau, and state Rep. Matthew Hill, replacing state Rep. Johnson.

It is unclear whether Hill will continue to serve on the Capitol Commission. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, elected this August in a special session of the Legislature, is reviewing all appointments by the Speaker’s Office, according to a spokesman.

In a statement, Sexton pointed out the governor has “expressed a desire” to discuss the Forrest bust.

“As always, we are open to a discussion on any issue with the administration or any commission. (Lee) also has indicated he plans to call the Capitol Commission to convene. The Capitol Commission has the authority to proceed on this issue without legislative approval,” Sexton said.