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TBA Law Blog

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TBA Weekly Legislative Update

Posted by: Berkley Schwarz on Jan 25, 2019
The Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives are back in session and are referring newly introduced bills to the appropriate committees, which are primarily holding organizational meetings this week. The deadline for filing all legislation is Feb. 6, so there will be a flood of bills introduced over the next two weeks. The TBA Governmental Affairs Team will be reviewing all bills and begin the process of forwarding the legislation affecting the practice of law to the appropriate Section Executive Councils for review and feedback. Stay tuned for more info.

Following Federal Court Ruling, Legislature Takes on Driver's License Suspensions

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 24, 2019
Amid appeals by the state to a federal judge's ruling that driver's licenses cannot be suspended due to a person's inability to pay court costs or traffic ticket fines, the Tennessee General Assembly is poised to take up the issue this year during session, The Commercial Appeal reports. Two Memphis Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation related to the reinstatement of driver's licenses, one to require courts to allow defendants to prove their inability to pay and another to add reinstatement centers in urban areas. Rep. Larry Miller said he filed his bill to change the law to prohibit the state from being able to suspend or revoke licenses for nonpayment, while Sen. Katrina Robinson's bill would allow a county of 900,000 people or more to establish its own driver's license reinstatement center.

TBA Today to Begin Weekly Legislative Updates

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 18, 2019
With the Tennessee General Assembly officially back in session, the TBA will begin bringing you weekly round-ups of bills impacting the legal community each Friday in TBA Today. Those who wish to receive notifications of important legislative developments can subscribe to TBAImpact.

Lawmaker to Introduce Bill for Restoring Felon Voting Rights

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 17, 2019
State Sen. Brenda Gilmore, D-Nashville, is filing legislation that would grant convicted felons a second chance at the right to vote, WRCB-TV reports. If passed, the new law would help move Tennessee from the list of states with the highest percentage of citizens who have lost the right to vote. Felons re-applying would be required to pay all outstanding court fees, including child support and restitution.

Former Legislator Appointed to Fill Temporary Vacancy

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 15, 2019
The Montgomery County Commission voted Monday to appoint Rosalind Kurita to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Republican Mark Green when he was elected to Congress, The Leaf Chronicle reports. Kurita, a Democrat, is a former county commissioner and was previously District 22's state senator for 12 years. She said she doesn't plan to run for state senator in the special election, that begins with a primary on March 7 followed by the general election on April 23. The district includes Montgomery, Houston and Stewart counties.

Dates Set for Special Election in Senate District 22

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 14, 2019
Dates have been formally set for both party primaries and a general election this year to fill out the remainder of U.S. Rep. Mark Green's unexpired term in the state Senate, The Leaf Chronicle reports. Political parties will choose their Senate nominees in a primary to be held on March 7. Then, the general election to choose Green's successor will be held on April 23. The winner will serve out the remainder of what would have been Green's four-year term, which ends next year.

Clarksville Businessman Announces Candidacy for Tennessee Senate Special Election

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 11, 2019
Businessman and Clarksville City Council member Bill Powers has announced his campaign for the Tennessee State Senate’s 22nd District, The Leaf Chronicle reports. The seat is currently vacant following the election of former senator Mark Green to the U.S. House of Representatives and will be filled via special election this year. Powers is native to Clarksville and has served as managing partner of Wyatt-Johnson Automotive Group for the past 30 years.

Former Legislative Assistant Stole More Than $12,000, Audit Shows

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 11, 2019
A new audit shows the former legislative assistant of Minority Leader Karen Camper stole more than $12,500 over three years, The Daily Memphian reports. Former assistant Derrick Tibbs admitted to theft last month and resigned. Camper was told about the situation in early December by Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart of Nashville, whose signature was forged on the checks. In a letter last year to the caucus notifying members of her intent to pursue the minority leader position, Camper said as caucus treasurer she had “scrutinized” every payment made by the caucus.

Lawmaker Accused of Sexual Misconduct with Teens Named Education Committee Chair

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 11, 2019
Tennessee House Rep. David Byrd, R-Waynesboro, who was accused of inappropriate sexual conduct against multiple teens while serving as a high school basketball coach, has been named chairman of an education subcommittee, The Tennessean reports. New House Speaker Glen Casada, who appointed Byrd to the position, said that he "cannot make actions based on accusations," citing Byrd's overwhelming reelection victory in his district to support his choice. Byrd publicly denied any wrongdoing, but apologized to one of the women in a phone call she recorded.

Judiciary Committee Chairs Named in House, Senate

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 10, 2019
New committee chairs have been named in the Tennessee House and Senate to oversee judiciary and legal matters, The Tennessean reports. In the Senate, Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, will chair the Judiciary Committee, with vice chairs Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, and Sen. Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro. House Speaker Glen Casada named Rep. Michael Curcio, R-Dickson, as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, with Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, serving as Vice Chair. Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, will chair the Civil Justice Subcommittee, Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, will chair the Children & Families Subcommittee, Rep. Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville, will chair the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, and Rep. Micah Van Huss, R-Jonesborough, will chair the Constitutional Protections & Sentencing Subcommittee.
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