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TBA Law Blog

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Legislator Pays Ticket with Monopoly Money

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 16, 2017
State House Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, paid two traffic camera tickets with Monopoly money today in order to raise awareness for new legislation regulating the cameras, the Jackson Sun reports. The legislation would require all unmanned traffic cameras to be used only from a marked police car and would mandate any suspects be pulled over by a law enforcement officer operating the camera. Holt broadcast his protest via a Facebook live video.

Lawmakers Fail to Complete Sexual Harassment Training

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 16, 2017
More than one-third of Tennessee House lawmakers failed to complete a mandatory 22-minute sexual harassment training video before the Jan. 31 deadline, the Tennessean reports. The video was made a requirement for lawmakers as a part of a new sexual harassment policy instituted last year following the Jeremy Durham scandal. Harassment at the legislature was put back in the headlines when Rep. Mark Lowell resigned this week after allegations of sexual misconduct.

Lawmakers Call for 'Jeremy’s Law' Repeal

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 15, 2017
Tennessee Democratic legislators are calling for a repeal of what’s known as “Jeremy’s Law” in the wake of the resignation of Rep. Mark Lovell, Humphrey on the Hill reports. The law was unofficially named for former Rep. Jeremy Durham, and mandates that any victim of sexual harassment who sues the state and loses must then pay for the legal fees of the defense. Following allegations that Lovell engaged in sexual misconduct, Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville, said that by passing the law the General Assembly “unwisely raised unprecedented barriers to harassment victims seeking justice.”

State Rep. Lovell Resigns Amid Allegations

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 14, 2017
State Rep. Mark Lovell, R-Eads, resigned today following allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with a woman, the Tennessean reports. House Speaker Beth Harwell said that because he resigned, the legislature will not push for further investigation into the matter. Lovell said the accusations are false.

Bills Head to TBA Sections and Committees for Review

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 13, 2017
In the Tennessee General Assembly the TBA is currently tracking 141 pieces of legislation of interest. Requests are currently going to sections and committees for review. Examples of these bills include SB1378/HB1394, a “Right to Die” bill in which adults suffering from a terminal disease may request medication for the purpose of ending life, and SB0944/HB0668, a tort liability and reform bill which would provide civil immunity for drivers who injure protestors blocking traffic.

Lawmakers File 1,400 Bills by Deadline

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 13, 2017
Tennessee legislators introduced more than 1,400 bills in time for last week’s Thursday filing deadline, Humphrey on the Hill reports. Included are topics like eliminating sales tax on diapers and feminine products, a new rule requiring high school students to pass a civics test and a bill allowing law enforcement to impound the vehicles of people arrested for patronizing prostitutes. Gov. Haslam has not commented on any bills yet, with the exception of the so-called “bathroom bill,” in which he said he would prefer to let litigation play out before Tennessee considers the issue.

House Republicans to Hold More Closed Door Meetings

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 9, 2017
The Tennessee House Republican Caucus will hold more closed door “family discussion” meetings in the future, the Tennessean reports. The change was announced yesterday, and will begin as soon as this month. With the Republicans supermajority in the legislature, it's possible the caucus could determine a position that would pass or defeat pending legislation.

Breitbart Editor Inspires Tennessee ‘Free Speech’ Bill

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 9, 2017
Inspired by Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos, Tennessee lawmakers held a press conference today to tout a bill that they believe will protect “free speech” on college campuses, Knoxnews reports. Called “the Milo bill” by House sponsor Rep. Martin Daniel, R-Knoxville, the legislation is said to be “designed to implement oversight of administrators’ handling of free speech issues.” Senate sponsor Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, said it would defend students with conservative views.

Legislative Leaders: Not Our Job to Monitor Campaign Finance

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 9, 2017
In the wake of the audit of former Rep. Jeremy Durham, GOP leadership said that it’s up to the Registry of Election Finance to monitor potential violations, even in situations where the legislature’s money is involved, the Tennessean reports. Among Durham’s 500 potential violations of campaign finance laws, one includes the accusation that he received $7,700 from the legislature for personal expenses for which he’d already reimbursed himself. 

State House Continues Practice of Pre-meetings

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Feb 8, 2017
The Tennessee House of Representatives will continue to have "pre-meetings" with lobbyists and members of state agencies prior to formal committee hearings, the Tennessean reports. In 2015, House Republicans were criticized for the practice. Though lawmakers have since begun announcing the meetings, they still face scrutiny, as the meetings don’t have posted agendas, do not appear on public lists and are not broadcast and archived on the legislature’s website.
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