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TBA Law Blog

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New Bill Provides Waiver for Health Care Licensure Fees

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 7, 2019
A new bill sponsored by Rep. Dan Howell, R-Georgetown, aims to except low-income individuals from the initial licensure fees imposed by the health and regulatory boards when beginning a career in the health care industry, The Nashville Post reports. The bill also directs licensing authorities to create a system for applicants to apply for a fee waiver, and sets a deadline for the approval process to 30 days. According to the Department of Health, the bill could decrease department revenue by $1.5 million, and would be paid through the board’s fee fund. 

31 New Faces at Capitol as Legislature Set to Begin Session

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 7, 2019
The Tennessee General Assembly will begin tomorrow, with 31 new members and without several longtime leaders, The Tennessean reports. Former House Speaker Beth Harwell and former House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh are among those gone, paving the way for new leadership. Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin, is poised to become the next House Speaker, and is already making plans to bring back three key subcommittees.

Former Speaker Reflects on 30 Years in Office

Posted by: Barry Kolar on Dec 31, 2018

The Tennessee legislative session starts next month, but it will do so without Republican Rep. Beth Harwell for the first time in 30 years. The former speaker offers advice for newly elected Gov. Bill Lee and reflects on her accomplishments in office during a lengthy interview with WPLN radio's Sergio Martínez-Beltrán.

Lt. Gov. McNally Wants to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Crimes

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Dec 20, 2018
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said this week he would support legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations on felony child sex abuse crimes in Tennessee, The Tennessean reports. He also said he would back a temporary window for reviving expired civil claims related to child sex abuse cases. Support on such measures from the high-ranking lawmaker bolsters efforts underway to give victims more time to come forward and hold their abusers accountable. It also could have financial implications if offenders and their organizations, like the Catholic Church, are found civilly liable for past actions. 

5 Qualify to Run for Senate District 32 Special Election

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Dec 14, 2018
Four Republicans will face off in a special primary election next month for the state Senate seat most recently held by former Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, The Commercial Appeal reports. Former state Rep. Steve McManus, former Shelby County commissioners George Chism and Heidi Shafer, and Covington businessman Paul Rose will compete in the Jan. 24 Republican primary. Eric Coleman of Bartlett was the lone Democrat to file candidate paperwork for the seat before the deadline yesterday. The general election is slated for March 12. 

Akbari Eyes Voting Rights Restoration for Low Level Felons

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Dec 11, 2018
New Tennessee Senate Minority Chairman Raumesh Akbari said she is planning to sponsor legislation this session that would automatically restore voting rights for people with low-level felony convictions, The Daily Memphian reports. Akbari said the proposed legislation, the wording of which is still being finalized, would ideally set up a referendum similar to the one in Florida, where voters passed a measure that would enable 1.2 million individuals to vote again. The bill could be a part of Gov.-elect Bill Lee’s promise to make criminal justice reform one of his priorities next year.

Governor-elect Names Alvey as Legislative Counsel

Posted by: Barry Kolar on Dec 7, 2018

Governor-elect Bill Lee has selected Nashville attorney Liz Alvey to serve as Legislative Counsel in his new administration, TNJ: On the Hill reports. The Nashville School of Law graduate has worked with the Tennessee State Senate since 1999, having served as the senior policy advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris since 2007. In addition, she has held leadership positions in the Southern Legislative Conference and the Council of State Governments.

Senate Democrats Choose Yarbro, Akbari for Leadership

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Dec 5, 2018
The Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus chose Sen. Jeff Yarbro of Nashville for minority leader and Memphis Sen. Raumesh Akbari as caucus chair, The Nashville Post reports. Nashville Sen. Brenda Gilmore was named floor leader and Memphis Sen. Katrina Robinson was elected minority whip.

House Democrat Staffer Resigns After Questionable Checks Discovered

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Dec 4, 2018

A staffer who assisted in financial payments from the House Democratic Caucus has resigned after being accused of writing an unknown number of checks to himself and cashing them, WSMV reports. New House Minority Leader Karen Camper confirmed that her longtime staffer, Derrick Tibbs, resigned yesterday, after Caucus Chair Mike Stewart alerted Camper to questionable checks that had been written. Stewart said once the internal investigation is complete, and if Tibbs is found to have committed a crime, he should be charged.

Johnson Chosen for Senate Majority Leader

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Dec 3, 2018
Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, was elected to serve as the next majority leader for Tennessee Senate Republicans, The Tennessean reports. Johnson, who was first elected to the Senate in 2006, beat Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, to earn title as the upper chamber's No. 2 leader. Johnson replaces former senator Mark Norris, who left office to take a federal judgeship.
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