A GOP-led panel of House and Senate lawmakers issued suggestions Tuesday that would give the legislature the power to limit or overturn emergency orders from the governor during future health crises, the Associated Press reports. Those recommendations would treat health-related emergency orders differently than others, with caps on how long a governor’s health state of emergency can stand before lawmakers would get a vote on it; power for lawmakers to override a state of emergency or executive order; requirements for notice and fiscal impact estimates of an emergency order; and more. Gov. Bill Lee, however, would be exempt from these rules, since they would only apply to the next administration.

Gov. Bill Lee today announced that former state representative John DeBerry of Memphis will join his cabinet starting tomorrow as a senior advisor. He also will serve on the governor’s Executive Leadership Team. DeBerry has represented the 90th House District since 1995. He lost his bid for re-election earlier this month after the Tennessee Democratic Party removed him from the party and took him off the ballot, forcing him to run as an independent. Read more from the governor’s office.

The Republican Caucus in the Tennessee House of Representatives has voted to close its meetings to the press, WPLN reports. Traditionally, the GOP Caucus allowed reporters to attend and report on events and discussions from the party meetings, but on Tuesday voted to shift away from this practice. Caucus Chair Rep. Jeremy Faison says the new rule is standard policy in legislatures across the country and that leadership will talk to reporters after each meeting to answer questions. Per Senate rules, the Senate GOP Caucus will continue to keep its meetings open.

Following the withdrawal of Sevierville Rep. Andrew Farmer as a candidate for House majority leader, the only contested leadership race Republicans considered today was for caucus chair, with Jeremy Faison of Cosby prevailing over Robin Smith of Hixson. His election means there will be no changes to the leadership team, the Nashville Post reports. Here’s the full lineup: Speaker Cameron Sexton of Crossville, Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh of Shelbyville, Republican Leader William Lamberth of Portland, Assistant Majority Leader Ron Gant of Rossville, Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, Caucus Whip Johnny Garrett of Goodlettsville, Floor Leader Paul Sherrell of Sparta, Caucus Vice-chair Brandon Ogles of Franklin and Caucus Treasurer Mark Cochran of Englewood.

Due to a new Nashville order restricting gatherings, Tennessee's House Republican Caucus has relocated its leadership meeting from a downtown hotel to the capitol, the Tennessean reports. The 73-member House Republican Caucus was scheduled to hold the meeting at Homewood Suites, where the group had rented a ballroom. But with new city rules limiting gatherings to no more than eight people, the meeting will be held on state property where the rules do not apply. Last week, the group gathered for a multi-day retreat. About 50 members attended, along with Gov. Bill Lee and other state officials.

Tennessee’s Senate Republican Caucus gathered today in Nashville to vote on top leadership roles, the Tennessee Journal reports. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally was renominated to a third term, Sen. Jack Johnson, R- Franklin, will continue on as Majority Leader and Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, will remain Republican Caucus Chairman. The first session of the 112th General Assembly will open on Jan. 12. TNJ has a full list of those elected to Senate Republican Caucus leadership.

Nashville Reps. John Ray Clemmons and Vincent Dixie have announced they’ll be running for the position of House Democratic Caucus chair, the Nashville Post reports. Nashville Rep. Bo Mitchell is also considering a run for the position. The previous chair was Rep. Mike Stewart, who was re-elected to the House, but chose to step down as caucus chair. Dixie is currently caucus treasurer and was just elected to his second term in the House. Clemmons was elected to the House in 2014 and is an attorney and former Tennessee Democratic Party staff member. No challengers have emerged to face Minority Leader Karen Camper of Memphis and Democratic Floor Leader Harold Love of Nashville.

Tennessee House Republicans will gather for their annual retreat this week, ahead of a second caucus gathering next week before Thanksgiving, the Tennessean reports. The House Republican Caucus will head to the lodge at Pickwick Landing State Park in Hardin County on Thursday, Friday and Saturday where members will hear from Gov. Bill Lee, the state’s health commissioner, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer. Roughly half of the 73-member caucus have said they plan to attend, despite Tennessee’s rising number of COVID-19 cases. "It's going to be well-ventilated and social distancing," said House Republican Caucus chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby. House Republicans will hold their leadership elections the Tuesday after the retreat. The only contested leadership role will be between Faison and Rep. Robin Smith of Hixson for House Republican Caucus chair.

Rep. Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville, is dropping his bid for House majority leader, according to a message to colleagues obtained by The Tennessee Journal. Farmer cited the “fantastic” outcome of this month’s elections in his decision to give up his challenge to Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland. “A change in leadership is not what the caucus needs right now and therefore I am officially withdrawing my name,” Farmer said. “The best thing we can do is stand together in unity and support the leadership that is currently in place.” His decision means the only contested leadership race for Republicans will be between Rep. Robin Smith of Hixson and Rep. Jeremy Faison of Cosby for House Republican Caucus chair.

As COVID cases are on the rise across the nation, one Tennessee lawmaker wants to strip health boards in the state’s largest counties of their autonomy. State Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, would instead give mayors the power to make health decisions in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby and Sullivan counties, WSMV reports. Legislation introduced yesterday could be considered when the legislative session begins in January or during a special session, according to the Daily Memphian.