State House and Senate committees on Tuesday quickly passed COVID-19 liability protection legislation that protects businesses from “frivolous” lawsuits, the Daily Memphian reports.  In a 7-2 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee sent SB8002 to the floor for consideration, with Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, and Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, voting against the measure. Under the legislation, claims alleging loss, damage, injury or death from COVID-19 must prove the defendant’s “gross negligence or willful misconduct,” setting a “higher bar” than under current tort law. The act would apply only to those filed on or before Aug. 3, 2020. Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, urged his colleagues to pass the bill, arguing businesses, schools, and nonprofits would be exposed to COVID-19 lawsuits without it. He also contended that law firms are already casting a “wide net” to file liability lawsuits and win business settlements. The House’s newly formed COVID Related Liability Committee recommended passage HB8001, but only if it is amended. A clarification on the bill is expected tomorrow. SB8007, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, was voted down 7-2 in the Senate Judiciary committee. Yarbro’s bill aimed to make it easier to sue businesses and entities that “flaunt” local, state and federal guidelines for COVID-19 safety, arguing the state will be protecting businesses that prohibit masks as much as it does those taking extra safety steps.

The Tennessee General Assembly convened today for what is expected to be a three-day special session to address three main issues, including one matter that would increase punishments for some protestors, the Tennessean reports. New legislation is being filed in response to a nearly two-month, round-the-clock demonstration across the street from the Capitol that has resulted in misdemeanor arrests and seizure of protestors’ equipment. However, Gov. Bill Lee’s office is at odds with House Majority Leader William Lamberth’s version of the bill. The legislation would make camping overnight on certain state property a felony and would create mandatory minimum sentences for that offense and for assaulting or spitting at a law enforcement officer. The legislation would also strip district attorneys of their discretion to not prosecute certain protest-related offenses. Lee’s office on Monday said Lamberth’s bill “is not our preferred version,” and was working to reduce some of the mandatory minimums in a revised bill that will be brought by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin.

The General Assembly ratified and approved amendments and revisions to the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure with Senate Resolution No. 141 and House Resolution No. 236, both adopted before the legislature adjourned earlier this year. These amendments to the Rules became effective July 1. The Tennessee Supreme Court adopted the amendments on Jan. 16.

Gov. Bill Lee has called on state lawmakers to return to Nashville for a special session on Aug. 10 to take up COVID-19 related bills that fell by the wayside during the final hours of the regular session in June. Among the measures to be considered are proposals to provide legal immunity from COVID-19 lawsuits, establish reimbursement rates for telemedicine appointments and increase penalties for property damaged in protests. Read more about the governor's call in the official proclamation.

State Sen. Katrina Robinson has been charged with theft and embezzlement involving government programs and wire fraud, U.S. District Attorney Michael Dunavant announced today. The criminal complaint alleges Robinson used federal grant money issued to her for-profit nursing college to buy a vehicle for her daughter and pay for her wedding and honeymoon. She is also accused of using funds to pay off credit cards and student loan payments, buy beauty products and fund a campaign event, the Commercial Appeal reports. Robinson, a Democrat, represents Senate District 33, which includes portions of Memphis. She was elected in 2018.

The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims has announced that telephonic settlement approvals will continue through the month of August. Read more about those procedures here. The court also recently highlighted amendments to the workers’ compensation law enacted during this year’s legislative session.

Tennessee leaders are weighing the prospects for a special session to consider a COVID-19 liability immunity bill, potentially in the second week of August. But the novel coronavirus itself could throw a wrench into the affair, the Daily Memphian reports. Lawmakers may be reluctant to travel while case counts are still high and Gov. Bill Lee has indicated he might only call lawmakers back if they can forge an agreement in advance. The Senate approved a bill in June that would have provided retroactive immunity but the House did not finalize any legislation.

Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin, is being fined $10,500 by the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance after an audit found his political action committee had failed to provide receipts for $99,625 in campaign expenditures, the Nashville Post reports. The audit, which inspected Casada’s campaign finances from Jan. 1- June 30, 2018, also found his PAC failed to report $1,713 in contributions and $2,589 in expenditures. As a representative, Casada himself was found to have failed to report $1,063 in contributions, $1,520 in expenses and failed to provide supporting documents for $5,212 in campaign expenditures. Casada did supply bank statements reflecting his campaign purchases, a potential reason for his fine being $10,500 instead of the $2.9 million he was eligible to receive if the bureau had levied a civil penalty for every missing receipt.

Gov. Bill Lee today called on the State Capitol Commission to meet next week to determine if it is time to remove the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the Capitol. Lee, who originally opposed removal of the bust, recently said that "symbols matter" and statues are a "window into what we value," though he came short of calling for the bust’s removal. The commission agreed to meet on July 9 at 9 a.m. The state legislature recently rejected attempts to remove the bust, instead approving a bill that gives lawmakers more representation on the commission, the Tennessean reports.

Tennessee state Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, recently settled lawsuits against his company Comprehensive Pain Specialists (CPS). The suits had alleged that Dickerson and Dr. Gilberto Carrero failed to intervene in the company’s scheme to bill for excessive drug testing, and sought to recover $50 million in civil damages. Federal prosecutors alleged that the government was defrauded by at least $25 million by the company. The suits were dropped following the settlement, according to the Tennessean.