Republican legislative leaders on Friday night mended a rift that had emerged between House and Senate lawmakers over local “pork barrel spending.” They agreed on about $1 million worth of additional reductions in a rarely called budget “conference committee."  TNReport has more

The so-called "Don't Say Gay bill," will not be put to a final vote needed for passage, the measure's House sponsor said Sunday. The decision by Rep. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, means that SB49 will die with the adjournment of the 107th General Assembly. The News Sentinel reports

The Partnership for Families, Children and Adults in Chattanooga has spent years working to help domestic violence victims navigate the often-confusing world of General Sessions and Circuit courts. Now a tougher sentencing measure for domestic violence, meant to deter abusers and protect these victims, is awaiting Gov. Bill Haslam's signature. The new sentencing law will, for the first time in Tennessee, require that a repeat domestic assault offender serve mandatory jail time. As many as 2,500 abusers statewide could face mandatory jail time in the first year alone, according to estimates. reported in  The Times Free Press.

The resolution that would amend the constitution and replace the current Tennessee Plan for merit selection and retention elections took a giant step today when the House concurred on SJR 710, forwarding it to the next session of the General Assembly. While judges appointed under the new plan would face retention elections, they would do so only after being nominated by the governor and after legislative confirmation.

The legislature will apparently leave town without specifying the way that the August 2014 election of judges will be conducted — a move that TBA President Danny Van Horn termed “irresponsible.” Watch for more details of the last few days of the 107th General Assembly in future editions of TBA Today.

State senators yesterday approved legislation creating a "loser pays" system that allows judges to assess fees of up to $10,000 on plaintiffs who bring suits determined to have "no basis in fact or law." The vote was 17 to 12, with two Republican members who are also lawyers joining Democrats in opposition. The measure now heads back to the state House to approve minor Senate changes. The House originally passed the bill on Tuesday. WPLN.org has more

A House committee voted Tuesday to kill a guns measure that has pitted firearms advocates against business groups. The bill, backed by the National Rifle Association, allows anyone with a handgun carry permit to store loaded guns in vehicles parked on company lots — regardless of employers' wishes. The committee voted 15-8 to send the measure to a summer study committee. Advocates of the bill, however, are pushing for a floor vote despite the move. The Tennessean has details

Gov. Bill Haslam's $31 billion spending proposal was approved unanimously by the Senate Finance Committee last night and was scheduled for a floor vote today. The plan seeks to phase out Tennessee's inheritance tax and lower the state's sales tax on groceries. The proposal also calls for raises for state employees and more spending on construction on college campuses. Read more in The Memphis Daily News

After more than two hours of debate, the Tennessee House voted 58-38 yesterday for a "loser pays" system that allows judges to assess fees of up to $10,000 on plaintiffs who bring suits determined to have "no basis in fact or law." Opponents contend the bill, HB 3124, will intimidate average citizens from going to court against big corporations. Several amendments were offered and defeated, including one that would have required defendants to pay plaintiff’s costs if their motions to dismiss are denied. The measure now goes to the Senate, where it was expected to be considered today. The News Sentinel has more

State Sen. Douglas Henry, D-Nashville, returned to the legislature today and attended Senate Finance Committee proceedings. The 85-year-old lawmaker was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Tuesday for tests after he experienced high blood pressure and felt dizzy in a caucus meeting. The Memphis Daily News reported the update

State Sen. Douglas Henry, 85, was hospitalized today after experiencing dizziness brought on by high blood pressure. He was checked into Vanderbilt Hospital shortly after this afternoon’s session ended. Henry was alert and able to move about on his own, a spokesman said. Henry’s condition will delay when the budget is taken up again in the Senate,  Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said. Henry, a Nashville Democrat, is the vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which is currently reviewing the budget. The Tennessean has more