Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale, again filed the "Woman's Ultrasound Right to Know Act," which requires women to undergo an ultrasound test before they have an abortion. The Tennessean reports the bill, revised from a 2015 edition, also requires the doctor to give the woman the opportunity to see the live ultrasound, see a picture from the ultrasound and hear any heartbeat that may exist. "I think it’s just an attempt by politicians to frighten women who are often in emotional or stressful situations," Jeff Teague, head of Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee, said.

The Advocate & Democrat reports gun legislation and broadband service will be among key issues Tennessee lawmakers will address in the legislative session scheduled to begin Jan. 12. Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, announced plans to introduce a bill that would allow for college and university faculty and employees on Tennessee’s college campuses to carry handguns on school grounds if they have a valid permit. Follow TBA Impact throughout the legislative session for up-to-date information on bills of interest to the Tennessee legal community.

Experts tell The Tennessean that the state legislature needs a human resources system to hold lawmakers accountable. HR officials who work with lawmakers have no power when it comes to discipline, instead lawmakers’ colleagues are responsible for action. “You have more likelihood that somebody could abuse those systems because there is not a strict course of accountability to keep that in check,” said Allison Duke, associate dean of Lipscomb University’s graduate business program. 

A bill filed by Tennessee State Rep. Daniel Byrd, R-Waynesboro, would make it illegal for a private citizen to attach a gun, rocket launcher or any other similar weapon to a drone. The prohibitions do not apply to law enforcement, The Tennessean reports. "It is an offense for any person, other than a state, federal, or local law enforcement agency, to knowingly attach or affix a weapon to an unmanned aircraft or to use an unmanned aircraft that the person knows has a weapon attached or affixed to it," the bill states.

State Rep. Joe Armstrong announced publicly last week that he quietly "stepped down" from his minority leader pro tempore position in June, after being indicted that same month on federal fraud and tax evasion charges, the Associated Press reports. Armstrong, D-Knoxville, pleaded not guilty to the charges in connection to an increase in the state's cigarette tax. "At this point, the position is still open for me after I'm vindicated to come back," Armstrong said.

The House Ethics Committee has not met since the 106th General Assembly, which convened in 2009 and 2010, according to committee attorney Doug Himes. Its meetings are driven by when there is a complaint, and he says since it hasn't received a complaint in at least five years that's why it hasn't met. "There haven't been regular meetings, because of the fact that we haven't had any complaints," Himes told The Tennessean. He said there have been less than 10 complaints since 2003 and none have been deemed credible or substantiated by the committee.

Kingsport Times-News reports Gary Hicks will complete the term of former state Rep. Mike Harrison, who resigned earlier this month. Hicks, a longtime Hawkins County commissioner, won the vote of the county commission on Monday. That seat comes up for election next year in the Aug. 4 state primary and the Nov. 1 state general election. The county commission is required to fill the seat vacated by Hicks within 120 days of it becoming vacant.

Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, said Achievement School District, Tennessee's school turnaround model, is “the new slave trade” and plans to introduce legislation on the issue in the upcoming session. The Commercial Appeal reports the Shelby County Schools board voted Tuesday to call for a moratorium on new ASD takeovers following a Vanderbilt study that revealed ASD’s impact has been minimal. "A local district does not have the authority to issue a moratorium but can certainly work to improve their schools to avoid ASD eligibility,” a statement from Education Commissioner Candice McQueen’s office said.

Rep. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, claimed God is telling him to fight same-sex marriage in Tennessee, WZTV reports. Pody sponsored the Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act, which defines “natural marriage” as one between a man and a woman. "(What) the representative really needs to consider is whether he's in the wrong line of work," Chris Sanders, Tennessee Equality Project executive director, said.

The Tennessean reports House Republicans are calling for a caucus to discuss Rep. Jeremy Durham’s future as majority whip. "We have had members reach out and say they are gathering the signatures to have that meeting. They have assured me they are working on that and that we should have that in my office today,” House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, said. House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, said no complaints have been filed against Durham, R-Franklin.