TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

General Assembly’s Special Session Kicked Off Today

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on May 5, 2026

Tennessee’s state legislature reconvened today for what likely will be a three-day special session, the Nashville Banner reports. The session — convened after the U.S. Supreme Court found that racial gerrymandering in Louisiana was unconstitutional — will focus on redrawing the state’s congressional map, including the state’s last Democrat-controlled district in Memphis. Gov. Bill Lee, who called the session, said, “We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters.”

Yesterday, six bills were filed. Most are placeholders that do not include full bill language. Details should emerge tomorrow during the committee process. One bill, HB7006/SB7006, introduced by House Minority Leader Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, does contain a specific redistricting plan. Today, the House and Senate set the stage for the session with floor action according to the Tennessean and WREG. At a press conference last night, Democrats said they plan to lay “the foundation for legal challenges” to delay or overturn any Republican changes, the Nashville Scene reports.

Tomorrow, the House will reconvene at 9 a.m. with action planned in three committees: the Congressional Redistricting Committee will meet at 11 a.m. followed immediately by the Finance, Ways & Means Committee and then the Calendar & Rules Committee. The Senate will reconvene at 8:30 a.m. Committee meetings scheduled in that chamber include the State & Local Government Committee at 9:30 a.m., Judiciary Committee at 11 a.m. and Finance, Ways & Means Committee at 2 p.m. All times central.

Law-Related Blogs AND PODCASTS

Check out other law-related blogs and podcasts generated from the Tennessee legal community or of interest to the Tennessee lawyers.