State Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, is pushing legislation he believes would have stopped the aggressive lockup of children in Rutherford County and saved the county millions of dollars paid to those affected by local policies. According to Tennessee Lookout, the proposed legislation would prohibit interviews or interrogations of children without the presence of legal counsel,  parent, guardian or custodian. In addition, children would be told of their constitutional rights to legal representation when taken into custody, and a video recording of any interviews would be made. Reporting by ProPublica and Nashville Public Radio in 2021 revealed the high level of juvenile arrests in the county. Juvenile Court Judge Donna Davenport stepped down in 2022 amidst the controversy.

The Tennessee Journal has published a full list of House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s committee assignments for the 113th General Assembly. Find out which committee your local representative has been assigned to on the TNJ’s website.

Retired state Rep. Bobby Wood died this morning after an extended illness. He was 87. Wood represented District 26 in the state House for 28 years before retiring in 2004. He was honored with the Republican party’s “Tennessee Statesman of the Year Award” in 2004. During his time as a lawmaker, Wood sponsored legislation formulating home school policy in Tennessee that was used as a model in other states. He sponsored legislation to bring Tenncare benefits in line with the state healthcare plan in 2000. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday at noon EST at Redemption Point Church, 3831 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road. The Chattanoogan has more on the story.

Democratic lawmakers are re-upping a bill that would legalize marijuana in Tennessee, the Tennessean reports. State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, and Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, are sponsoring the measure called Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act, which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and provide a process for it to be grown and sold. The bill would allow adults to purchase up to 60 grams of marijuana and is nearly identical to legislation Freeman and Campbell previously sponsored. It estimated that legalizing cannabis would generate more than $380 million in tax revenue for state and local governments. Republicans have reiterated their opposition to full legalization until the federal government reclassifies the drug.

Legislators yesterday voted to re-elect Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower and Treasurer David Lillard to new two-year terms, the Associated Press reports. Mumpower was elected comptroller in 2021 and Lillard began his time as treasurer in 2009. The two offices, in addition to the secretary of state, are elected by lawmakers under the state constitution. The secretary of state serves four-year terms and Secretary of State Tre Hargett is not up for election this year.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, has unveiled a new tool designed to enhance public transparency in the legislative process, Chattanoogan.com reports. In announcing the tool, Sexton said the dashboard “will also give every Tennessean the same access to the legislative process as their elected officials.” Members of the public will be able to view all House committee and floor calendars, legislation, amendments and video of all House legislative initiatives. To access the dashboard visit wapp.capitol.tn.gov and then log in or create an account.

A new bill has been filed that would require governing bodies to make meeting agendas and supplemental documents available at no charge 48 hours prior to a meeting, the Commercial Appeal reports. Supplemental documents would include proposed ordinances, contracts, resolutions − as well as written staff recommendations, reports, and other materials given to members before the meeting. The measure, SB27, was filed by Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, with Rep. Jerome Moon, R-Maryville, sponsoring in the House. “I've got a passion for this type of legislation − to make sure the public knows what's going on and has a chance to react to it,” Gardenhire said.

The 113th Tennessee General Assembly is now in session after it was gaveled in today by lawmakers, the Tennessean reports. The workload is expected to be light this month as new lawmakers settle into their offices, with committee work heating up in February. Speaker of the Senate and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, were today reelected to serve another session "I know we fuss, fight, bicker and argue at times in this building," Sexton said during his acceptance speech. "There is nothing wrong with a good and robust debate."

The 113th Tennessee General Assembly convenes tomorrow at noon CST for the first half of the two-year legislative term. Toll lanes, changes to the state abortion law and money for Memphis sports stadiums are some of the top items lawmakers will address during the new session, the Tennessean reports. The paper highlights six issues to watch and four lawmakers who likely will be making the news.

Tennessee Republican leaders are seeking to cut the size of the Nashville Metro Council in a move seen as retribution for its rejection of a bid to host the 2024 Republican National Convention, the Nashville Post reports. House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Bo Watson, R- Hixson, filed legislation today that would cap the size of metropolitan and municipal legislative bodies in Tennessee at 20 members. Though Nashville is not mentioned by name, its council is the only such body in the state larger than the proposed maximum. The bill does not prescribe how the city would reduce the size of the council, currently made up of 35 district representatives and five at-large representatives.