TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Apr 14, 2026

Gov. Bill Lee last week signed legislation to limit lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of new state laws. HB1971 repeals a provision the legislature passed eight years ago that allowed Tennesseans to challenge the constitutionality of new state laws before they suffer any harm. The Tennessean reports that Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti — whose office defends new laws in court — requested lawmakers repeal the measure and reinstate barriers removed in 2018. The change now requires challengers to prove actual damage had been done to have standing to sue. Read past coverage of the measure.