The Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would allow for permitless carry of a handgun in the state on a 7-2 party line vote. The bill would permit both open and concealed carrying of handguns for anyone over 21 and would remove the current permitting and training process required to buy a gun, News Channel 9 reports. Both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Sheriff's Association oppose the bill, which is commonly called “constitutional carry.” The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee also approved the legislation and sent it to the full committee for consideration, according to the Commercial Appeal.

Gov. Bill Lee has released a list of legislative initiatives he had previously outlined in his State of the State address, WKRN reports. Among those initiatives are Senate Bill 765/House Bill 786, which would allow citizens to carry handguns without a permit, SB768/HB785, also known as the “Reentry Success Act of 2021,” SB0767/HB0784 on “Alternatives to Incarceration,” and more. You can find the complete list on the state’s website.

A controversial bill that would block transgender student athletes from playing middle school and high school sports under their gender identity was passed in a 27-6 vote by the Senate last night, the Tennessean reports. The bill, SB228/HB3, would require transgender athletes to compete under their sex at birth, regardless of whether they are receiving gender-affirming care, such as hormone blockers. Following the vote, the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee released a statement signaling its intent to take legal action “should any transgender student be excluded because of this legislation.” The bill will next go to the House for a final vote, which has not yet been scheduled.

NewsChannel 5 reports that FBI agents investigating members of the Tennessee legislature may be looking at allegations of bribery by those attempting to pass Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher bill last April. The station reports that former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada has told associates that the FBI asked him questions about how he helped pass the legislation. Livingston Democrat John Mark Windle has told NewsChannel 5 Investigates that Casada offered him the prospect of a lucrative National Guard promotion in exchange for his vote. Windle said he rejected the offer, insisting his vote was "not for sale." Casada has denied offering bribes to anyone.

Legislation designed to limit transgender athlete participation in high school sports cleared two key legislative hurdles this week, and is expected to head toward final votes in the House and Senate the Tennessean reports. The bill, SB228/HB3, passed the Senate Education Committee and the House Education Administration Committee despite criticism from advocacy groups that the legislation discriminates against transgender children. The bills would require transgender athletes in middle and high schools to compete under their gender at birth, rather than the gender they align with. Earlier this week, Rep. Eddie Mannis, R-Knoxville, — Tennessee’s only openly gay lawmaker — warned his colleagues that a ban on transgender athletes could have a tremendous negative impact on transgender kids. WPLN has that story.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters to change the way Tennessee’s Attorney General is selected cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, the Chattanoogan reports. Senate Joint Resolution 0001 (SJR0001) calls for a transparent nomination process by the Tennessee Supreme Court in selecting the State Attorney General, followed by a confirmation vote of the nominee by a majority of both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly. The TBA has expressed its opposition to the resolution, a decision that is detailed in today’s episode of the TBA Legislative Updates podcast. In addition, TBA Public Policy and Government Affairs Director Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorney and TBA lobbyist Brad Lampley cover SB0633/HB0385, a proposal that would make it a criminal offense if a bystander witnesses a medical emergency and fails to report it to emergency services immediately. You can watch the full video of Legislative Updates on the TBA’s Facebook page. It is also available as a podcast on the TBA’s website or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

The Senate Republican Caucus on Monday asked Tennessee colleges to adopt policies that would prevent student athletes from kneeling during “The Star Spangled Banner,” the Tennessean reports. The letter comes after members of East Tennessee State University’s men’s basketball team knelt during the national anthem before a game on Feb. 16. Senate Republicans expressed outrage in legislative meetings, social media posts and on local news segments before finally sending the letter, which was signed by all 27 members of the Caucus.  The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee in a statement today condemned policies such as those in the letter, calling them unconstitutional. ETSU men’s basketball coaches have said the team meant no disrespect, but instead sought to prompt discussions on racial inequality.

After a bill was introduced last month to erect a statue of Dolly Parton on Capitol grounds, the country music icon is asking legislators to nix the proposal, the Tennessean reports. The East Tennessee native told the paper today that she doesn't "think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time.” She thanked the legislature for its consideration of the bill before confirming that she asked lawmakers to remove it “from any and all consideration.” HB0135 from Rep. John Windle, D-Livingston, would create the "Dolly Parton fund" to pay for the design, construction and maintenance of the statue. It’s scheduled to go before the House state government committee on Tuesday. Windle said he won’t withdraw the bill, but instead hopes that Parton’s fans will change her mind.  

More than two dozen bills aimed at changing voting laws have been filed by Tennessee legislators, the Daily Memphian reports. Among the proposals, filed by both Democrats and Republicans, are bills that would eliminate early voting, require fingerprint checks, allow absentee voting by mail for anyone who requests it and eliminate partisan primaries in local elections. SB1510 from Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, would abolish early voting and bar the use of voting machines, instead using watermarked paper ballots. HB0597 from Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, and Rep. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, would allow absentee mail-in voting for any reason and permit college ID cards to be used as valid identification. The Daily Memphian has a full rundown and links to each bill.

Due to inclement weather, the Tennessee Historical Commission has delayed what is potentially the final vote on whether to remove the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the state Capitol, the Associated Press reports. The vote, originally scheduled for today and tomorrow, has been moved to March 9. State House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, earlier this week asked Attorney General Herbert Slatery to issue an opinion on proper protocol for removing the statue, as they believe a step has been missed in the process.