The Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence will honor state Rep. Jim Coley, R-Bartlett, in October for his advocacy on behalf of human trafficking victims and their families. The group says that Coley is a “tireless advocate” for women and children. “Though his hard work and commitment, Tennessee has some of the best laws in the country to address domestic violence and human trafficking,” the group’s executive director told the Daily Memphian. The recognition will take place at the group’s Pearls and Pinstripes Gala set for Oct. 4 at the Music City Center. Coley, the chairman of the House Higher Education Subcommittee, has announced he will not seek re-election in 2020.

State Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, has denied all allegations against him by state and federal officials in a wide-ranging case against Comprehensive Pain Specialists and its owners for allegedly defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. The lawsuit specifically identifies Dickerson as having submitted more than 750 false claims amounting to nearly $6.5 million for specimen validity, genetic and psychological testing, and for acupuncture. In a response filed this week, Dickerson denies the claims and any knowledge of a broader scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid, the Nashville Post reports.

State Rep. John DeBerry, D-Memphis, says he plans to reintroduce legislation in 2020 for a red flag law, the Daily Memphian reports. DeBerry sponsored HB 1446 during the 2019 session. That measure would have allowed a court to be petitioned for an “extreme risk protection order” based on clear and convincing evidence a person poses a “significant risk” of injuring himself or others with a firearm. The order could be sought by law enforcement officers or by a person close to the individual with the problem. Last session, the General Assembly passed another gun related bill making it illegal to transfer a gun to anyone who has been judicially committed to a mental institution or adjudicated as a mental defective, unless the person’s right to possess guns has been restored. That law went into effect in May.

Kevin Johnson, former counsel for U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tenn., has joined House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s staff as general counsel and senior adviser. Johnson served as Kustoff’s campaign manager and field representative. In his new role he will be responsible for offering legal counsel on legislative matters and will serve as an adviser to Sexton. Johnson earned his law degree from Cecil C. Humphreys Schools of Law at the University of Memphis. The Daily Memphian has the story.

House Speaker Pro Tem Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, announced today he will not seek re-election in 2020, the Nashville Post reports. Dunn led the House after Speaker Glen Casada’s resignation in August and until the House could return to Nashville to elect Republican Cameron Sexton of Crossville as its new speaker. The longest-tenured Republican in the House, Dunn has been a strong advocate for school choice. He successfully shepherded an education savings account bill through the House this year and said it was time to conclude his public service “on a high note.”

Tennessee House members in the 111th General Assembly today elected their second speaker of the year, as Cameron Sexton officially took over as leader of the chamber, the Tennessean reports. Sexton made changes to some key leadership positions, appointing Rep. Curtis Johnson, R-Clarksville, to Deputy Speaker, as well as to the head of the Ethics Committee. Rep. David Hawk is set to lead the TennCare Subcommittee, while Rep. Gary Hicks will lead the Finance Subcommittee. Rep. Ryan Williams will now take the position of chair of the Life and Health Insurance Subcommittee.