The Nashville Post reports a bill advancing in the state House would redirect money from the University of Tennessee's diversity office to pay for "In God We Trust" decals for law enforcement vehicles. Bill sponsor Rep. Micah Van Huss, R-Jonesborough, estimates eliminating funding for the office would free up about $100,000. The state Senate has amended the governor's proposed budget to pull $8 million from the university.           

A state House committee today killed “MaKayla’s Law,” a bill stemming from the death of an 8-year-old White Pine girl by her 11-year-old neighbor. The measure (SB 2294 / HB 2058) would have penalized adult gun owners who leave loaded guns unlocked and accessible to children under age 13. Read more from the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris is working on an agreement among Senate Republicans in which Sen. Randy McNally will succeed Sen. Ron Ramsey as Senate speaker and lieutenant governor for at least the next two years. Norris, R-Collierville, said the “transitional” speakership is to avoid a “distraction” in this year’s legislative elections, The Commercial Appeal reports. McNally, R-Oakridge, announced last week that he is running for the speakership.

House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, named her five appointees to the state's Trial Courts Vacancy Commission tasked with nominating judges to fill vacancies to the state's lower courts. The Nashville Post reports Harwell’s appointees are: Ed Lancaster, a Columbia attorney; Kim Helper, District Attorney General for the 21st Judicial District; Bradford Box, equity member with the Jackson firm of Rainey Kizer Reviere & Bell; Bill Koch, dean of the Nashville School of Law; and DeWayne Bunch, magistrate judge in Cleveland. Harwell’s appointees join Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey’s five appointees who were named earlier this month. Nashville attorney Tom Lawless will chair the commission.

Legislation amending Tennessee’s adoption law will be heard Tuesday in the House Civil Justice Committee. Proponents of the amendment (HB1389) that would amend 24 code sections say it represents technical changes. The measure is sponsored by Rep. John Mark Windle, D-Livingston. TBA members may comment on the bill via TBAImpact under the Famiily Law section of state bills. Read a summary of the bill provided by proponents.

The Tennessean lists five Republican state Senators who could receive consideration as Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey’s successor, following Ramsey’s announcement yesterday that he will not seek re-election. Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, Sen. Randy McNally and Sen. Jack Johnson are included on the list. The official election for Ramsey’s successor will take place in January.

The Tennessee Lawful Employment Act is on its way to House Finance, Ways and Means Committee and the Senate floor. HB1830 by Rep. Pat Marsh, R-Shelbyville, and SB1965 by Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, as amended requires employers with 50-200 employees to enroll in E-Verify when hiring.

The House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee today deferred to a Summer Study Committee a bill (HB546) referred to as the Insurance Costs Reduction Act, sponsored by Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin. The bill is the vehicle for the creation of the Patient Compensation System, a workers' comp-like system for medical malpractice.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey will not seek re-election this November, WSMV reports. Ramsey’s term as Speaker of the Senate will expire in January 2017. "After a lot of prayer and many sleepless nights, I have determined that I simply cannot commit to another four years in office," Ramsey, R-Blountville, said. Ramsey, who was first elected to the General Assembly in 1992 as a member of the House, said he wants to spend more time with his family and grandchildren.

The state House last week passed a resolution thanking Tennessee’s U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker for stating they will not vote for anyone nominated by President Barack Obama as a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart of Nashville criticized the measure (HR178) as "engaging in these partisan games." Read more from The Knoxville News Sentinel.