The General Assembly’s special legislative session will not end this week. The state Senate on Thursday, Aug. 24, adjourned for the weekend with the intention of returning Monday afternoon, after a meeting that lasted just a few minutes.
The bills seek to improve background checks, create an awareness campaign about free gun locks and require a report on human trafficking; they mostly continue things the state government already does.
Tuesday saw the first committee hearings of the special session and the beginning of discussion on bills. More than 100 people — including parents of Covenant School shooting survivors — were removed from one of the first hearings. House sets controversial rules as General Assembly begins special sessionRelated story:
In addition to limiting public access, the Tennessee House of Representatives listed consequences for members who breach decorum during the special legislative session that began Monday, Aug. 21. Protesters in Nashville rally for — and against — stricter gun laws ‘Freedom Ride for Millennials:’ Dozens bus to Nashville for first day of special sessionRelated story:
Representatives of DC Project, Equity Alliance, Memphis For All, Moms Demand Action and other groups gathered in Nashville leading up to the special session that commenced Monday, Aug. 21.
Justin J. Pearson was sworn into the state House of Representatives for the third time on Monday, Aug. 21, following his April 6 expulsion, quick interim reappointment and subsequent special election victory earlier this month.
Around two dozen local advocates and concerned citizens rode the bus to Nashville Monday to advocate for gun-safety legislation.
Republican Debra Maggart had worked to pass a number of gun bills, but she said the National Rifle Association decided to “annihilate” her in 2012 after she spoke against Tennesseans keeping weapons in their cars while at work.
In the months since Gov. Bill Lee announced he would convene a special session, top lawmakers’ initial openness to a “red flag” law hardened into uncompromising opposition, and the focus of the special session shifted from guns to mental health and tough-on-crime legislation.
Hospital officials have confirmed Vanderbilt University Medical Center is facing a federal civil rights investigation after turning the medical records of transgender patients over to Tennessee’s attorney general.
Two Memphis educators are plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against the state over the 2021 “prohibited concepts” law.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday, Aug. 9, in Nashville federal court seeks to redraw the Cordova-based state Senate district in Shelby County and cites a “larger discriminatory agenda” by the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Tennessee Highway Patrol has recruited 1,000 applicants in its newest cadet class, and of those, between 110 and 115 are from Shelby County, Gov. Bill Lee told reporters during a press conference Wednesday, Aug. 9.Related Story:
“We should not wait for others to solve the challenges that this nation is facing of trafficking, human trafficking, drug trafficking, violent crime,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a formal call for a special session of the Legislature to begin Aug. 21 in the Capitol. It includes mental health orders of protection, with a lot of conditions, among the topics to be considered.
Pearson easily beat independent candidate Jeff Johnston in the second special general election this year for the seat covering the western edge of Shelby County.
Voters on the western edge of Shelby County go to the polls Thursday, Aug. 3, to elect their state representative for the fourth time this year.
A panel of three state judges ruled Friday that the ban targeting the Tennessee Education Association no longer needs to be blocked.
Holiday bakers have just a few more days to stock up on tax-free flour, sugar, butter and other supplies. Most food and ingredients used to prepare food are exempt from sales tax.
Fewer than half of eligible Tennesseans are participating in WIC, a federal nutrition program that serves low-income children and pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women.
The Tennessee Education Association and five state educators including two affiliated with MSCS filed a lawsuit against the 2021 ‘prohibited concepts’ law, banning certain discussion surrounding race and gender in public and charter schools.
Kelsey is now scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. in federal court in Nashville. Brian Kelsey’s sentencing was delayed again. Here’s a timeline of his legal odyssey.Related story:
Here’s a look back at the timeline that led to former state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s expected sentencing hearing Thursday, July 27, on two campaign-finance felonies.
Questions remain on the status of a new lease for the Grizzlies and how money for stadium projects will be allocated.
Gun violence has become a major theme in the Memphis mayoral race. And the Memphis City Council voted to put a referendum on local gun laws before voters next year, setting up a possible clash with the state.