TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Gonzales, Koch: Gov. Lee Has Acted Within His Authority During Pandemic

Posted by: Kate Prince on Aug 20, 2020

Belmont University College of Law Dean Alberto Gonzales and Nashville School of Law Dean William Koch today answered questions from an ad hoc legislative committee on whether Gov. Bill Lee acted outside his legal authority during the pandemic, the Tennessean reports. Gonzales, a former U.S. attorney general, and Koch, a former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, reported to the committee that Gov. Lee has acted appropriately, but that the legislature has the ability to reign in his executive authority ahead of the next emergency. Regarding Lee, Koch told the committee, “His executive orders are entirely consistent with the inherent power in his office and with the power you granted him” in Tennessee’s Emergency Powers Act. Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, is co-chairing the ad hoc committee with Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin. Zachary told the committee at the beginning of today’s meeting that their purpose was to consider what authority the governor should have moving forward. The committee plans to provide recommendations to the 112th General Assembly, which will convene in January.

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.