During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tennessee legislature made it more difficult to sue hospitals and health care providers in cases related to COVID-19. Now, Republicans are proposing to make those temporary rules permanent, WPLN reports. The legislation also would make permanent previously enacted restrictions on mask and vaccine mandates. The Senate version of the measure, SB0011, passed that body yesterday.

A recent decision by Tennessee's attorney general could soon pave the way for 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to carry a gun without undergoing background checks or training. State law allows permitless carry for adults aged 21 and over. Soon after the law passed, a lawsuit was filed alleging the exclusion of adults under 21 was unconstitutional. Last month, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sided with the plaintiffs and signed an agreement that would allow anyone 18 or older to carry without a license. While the judge in the case has not signed off on the proposed settlement, Republican leadership in the state House say they are moving forward with a bill on the issue soon, WPLN reports. Republican members of the General Assembly introduced a similar bill last year, but it failed to pass in the Senate.

The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Tennessee and Lambda Legal recently announced that it will bring immediate legal action against proposed restrictions on transgender youth health care should those restrictions become law. The groups specifically cite SB1/HB1, which would ban treatments for transgender youth under the age of 18. They argue these bills discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics and note that similar restrictions in Alabama and Arkansas have been enjoined by federal courts.

Tennessee Lt. Gov. and Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, underwent emergency heart surgery on Friday, WSMV reports. A pacemaker was successfully installed. McNally had checked himself into Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Thursday due to an irregular heartbeat. He said he plans to return to his duties in the state legislature as soon as he is medically able.

It was a busy week for the General Assembly, Axios Nashville reports. Here are a few highlights. The full Senate passed a bill designed to regulate where drag performances can take place. The House version is still advancing through committees. Legislation to ban hormones and puberty blockers for minors cleared its last committee in the Senate. The measure is advancing in House committees, the Tennessean reports. A move to use TennCare to push insurance companies not to cover gender transition treatments also took shape. An effort to expand the state's education savings account program to include Hamilton County passed the Senate Education Committee, Tennessee Lookout reports. Finally, a bill was introduced to eliminate runoffs in local elections. The Nashville Scene has that story.

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said yesterday that he checked himself into the Vanderbilt University Medical Center due to an irregular heartbeat. McNally, who is also the Senate speaker, said he will likely need a pacemaker to help regulate cardiac issues. In a Tweet yesterday, McNally thanked people for their support and said he hopes to return to work soon. Read more from the Tennessean.

Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, is challenging the legality of a bill that would cut the Metro Nashville Council in half, the Tennessee Lookout reports. Yarbro, an attorney, argues that Davidson County is a “metropolitan county government” which, per the Constitution, “has to be treated as having the authority of a county government because it does.” House Bill 48 sponsor House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, argues lawmakers can adjust city councils because they are set up statutorily whereas county governments are established constitutionally. The measure moved through the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday.

Legislation to clarify portions of the state's obscenity law regarding public drag performances cleared the Tennessee Senate today, the Tennessean reports. The bill, SB03, classifies "male and female impersonators" as adult cabaret performers and bans "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors," as defined in Tennessee's obscenity law. The measure was opposed by all Senate Democrats but was ultimately passed on a 26-6 vote. The bill’s sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, acknowledged that what might be considered “harmful” would be subject to discretion from prosecutors.

Gov. Bill Lee is set to deliver his fifth State of the State address tonight at 6 p.m. CST. He will give the speech before a joint session of the Tennessee General Assembly in the House Chamber, the Tennessean reports. Read excerpts released by his office or watch the speech live here. In advance of the speech, House Democratic Leader Karen Camper released a prebuttal message focused on efforts to end police brutality. In the video, Camper calls on colleagues to “show the nation that we can work together and serve justice for Tyre Nichols and all the victims of police brutality.” She also called for bipartisan action on health care, child care, housing, education and the crisis at the Department of Children’s Services. Tri-State Defender has more on her remarks and a link to the recorded message.

A Republican lawmaker said during a public hearing this week that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is probing the conduct of current and former employees of the Department of Children's Services — an investigation the TBI would neither confirm nor deny. "I've been made aware of a specific instance where the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has gotten involved in an internal investigation of DCS employees and former DCS employees," Rep. David Hawk, R-Greenville, said Monday during a Finance, Ways and Means Committee hearing on emergency funding for the agency. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has the story.