TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

General Assembly Recessed until June 1; Funding Dropped for Professional Tax Relief

Posted by: Berkley Schwarz on Mar 20, 2020

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers recessed last night after passing an amended, bare-bones budget, the Tennessean reports. Lawmakers are scheduled to return on June 1. Not surprisingly, the newly passed budget looks very different from the budget proposed earlier in the year. The scaled back budget establishes a $150 million fund to cover public health issues related to the pandemic, makes a $350 million contribution to Tennessee's reserve fund, and includes $37 million to start the governor's signature voucher initiative, all while making $401 million in reductions from Lee's initial proposal. Many items were cut, including funds that would have allowed the professional privilege tax to be eliminated or reduced, and money to increase spending for indigent representation.

Before the early adjournment, the TBA’s adoption bill (SB1769/HB1676) was signed into law and the TBA’s business law legislation (SB1990/HB1886) passed the House and Senate and was sent to Gov. Lee on March 17. All other pending legislation is on hold for now. The TBA will continue to work with lawmakers on legislation during the recess and will be ready to go on June 1 or whenever the legislature reconvenes.

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