The state Senate on Monday voted to make the Holy Bible the state’s official book by a 19-8 margin, The Tennessean reports. The state House approved the measure (SB1108 / HB0615) last year, and now the speakers of the House and Senate must sign off on the legislation before it can officially head to Gov. Bill Haslam’s desk. A spokesperson for Gov. Haslam today said the "governor has constitutional questions and personal reservations about this legislation," the Associated Press reports. 

The Tennessean reports at least 23 women from across the state are running as Democrats in hopes of entering the male-dominated Tennessee legislature. Most of the women, whose ages range from 28 to 77, are running for public office for the first time. Sydney Rogers is running for the seat of House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, and communications professional Holly McCall is seeking the seat of Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin.

Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville wrote an op-ed for The Tennessean about his bill, SB 2342, which would preserve biologic evidence until the defendant is executed, dies or is released from prison. “…The cost and effort to maintain biologic evidence is minimal when compared with our duty to ensure that our criminal justice system provides every possible safeguard when dealing with issues of life and death," he writes. 

The Tennessean reports it is unclear if Attorney General Herbert Slatery’s investigation into Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, will be concluded by the end of the legislative session in April. Several lawmakers said they have not received updates from Slatery on the investigation. The probe was launched following allegations of inappropriate behavior and misconduct against Durham.

The state House yesterday approved a measure (HB 1478) that would lower the legal penalties for repeated drug possession, WPLN reports. Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. William Lambert, R-Cottontown, drug possession would become a misdemeanor. The legislation also heightens the penalties for driving drunk in an effort to make people with numerous DUIs serve more time behind bars. The state Senate could vote on the proposal next week.

The House Civil Justice Committee yesterday failed to pass HB2558 by Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, that would have eliminated a cause of action against nursing homes in the form of a class action in the Tennessee Adult Protection Act. The measure’s companion, SB2063, by Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, was removed yesterday from the Senate Judiciary Committee calendar.

A measure that makes changes to grandparent visitation moved out of Senate Judiciary Committee today. The bill, SB1670, is sponsored by Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge.

The House Civil Justice Committee this week sent several bills to the House floor before it closed for the year. Among those are: changes to the conservator law, HB2030 by Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby; changes to the tolling statute for those persons who “lack capacity” were made with HB1651 by Rep. David Hawk, R-Greenville; and HB2033, also by Rep. Faison, as amended creates civil immunity for those property owners who do not post “no guns allowed” signs.

The Senate’s State and Local Government Committee today killed a measure seeking to allow communities to hold elections to reverse annexation by cities. The committee voted to study the measure after the legislation session ends, the Associated Press reports.

The House State Government Committee yesterday approved a resolution (SJR 0467) that would require Attorney General Herbert Slatery to sue the federal government over refugee resettlement. The resolution includes a provision that would allow the legislature to hire outside counsel. Proponents of the measure argue “the government failed to consult with Tennessee on the continued placement of refugees,” according to The Tennessean. The Senate last month approved the resolution. It now heads to the House finance committee.