Progressive activist Aftyn Behn defeated former Metro Council member Anthony Davis for the Democratic nomination to replace Rep. Bill Beck, D-Nashville, who died in June. Davis had been serving as the interim representative after the council appointed him to the post. Behn now will face Republican David Hooven in the general election scheduled for Sept. 14. The Tennessean has more on the race.

Democratic Representatives Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, yesterday won their respective races to return to the state House of Representatives after being expelled in April for their involvement in gun safety protests. Both were reappointed by their respective city councils a week later and won their primary races in June. Jones defeated Republican Laura Nelson to retake House District 52. Pearson defeated independent candidate Jeff Johnston to retake House District 86. The Tennessean has more on their election.

Ahead of this month’s special session, several state legislators from Memphis met with constituents to hear what they would like to see accomplished during the session. Members of the Memphis Police Department joined about 50 people Tuesday night at the Riverside Missionary Baptist Church to talk about legislative proposals to address crime and violence in the city. The Commercial Appeal reports that those who spoke called for greater youth resources and stronger gun laws.

White County General Sessions Court Judge John Meadows now can hear adoption cases thanks to a private bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Paul Sherrell and Sen. Paul Bailey, both of Sparta. The legislation was approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Bill Lee during the last session, Sparta Alive reports. Under Tennessee law, only chancery and circuit courts have jurisdiction, power and authority to hear and decide adoption cases. The change was enacted to expedite adoption proceedings in the county, where residents often had to wait to be scheduled on a crowded docket and then travel to Cookeville for court appearances. According to the Department of Children’s Services, the change will “accelerate child placement, namely allowing for a judicial waiver to speed adoption finalization from six to three months if a court sees fit.”

Gov. Bill Lee confirmed that he will make an official call for a special legislative session and will sponsor several bills, including one dealing with extreme risk orders of protection, despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers. The Tennessee Lookout reports that Lee said recently he also plans to push legislation on juvenile justice, mental health and violent crime, but declined to give more details. “Tennessee will be a safer state as a result of the efforts of the legislation and the legislators who are engaged in the process of this special session on public safety,” Lee said.

Tennessee Democrats yesterday announced an eight-stop bus tour to begin next week in Memphis and finish in Nashville for the start of the special legislative session, reports WKRN. House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, said the tour is meant to encourage public debate about meaningful gun control ahead of the session. Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, noted that "this is not new. The statistics are not new ... What is new is the opportunity to turn tragedy into policy action.” The state is receiving public comments in advance of the special session via this form. 

The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators met Friday at the National Civil Rights Museum to discuss Gov. Bill Lee’s upcoming special session on Aug. 21 to propose new gun legislation, reports the Commercial Appeal. The caucus has been holding town hall meetings state-wide discussing ways to curb gun violence since the General Assembly recessed in May. "What is good for rural isn't always good for urban," noted state Rep. Jesse Chism, D-Memphis. Suggestions for the upcoming session include gun safe lock programs for firearm owners and a requirement for all guns in cars to have locks.

A new Tennessee law now in effect adds new requirements before a student can receive corporal punishment at school. News Channel 9 in Chattanooga reports that under HB 0995/SB 0972, before any kind of corporal punishment can happen, teachers are required to have acted to address the student’s behavior, provided consequences to the student, consulted with the student’s parents about their behavior and considered the need to evaluate whether the student has a disability. Corporal punishment against a student with a disability is prohibited unless the punishment is permitted by the local education agency and the parent agrees in writing.

Former Nashville Council member Anthony Davis was sworn in yesterday as the new state representative for District 51, the Tennessee Tribune reports. Davis succeeds Bill Beck, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack last month. District 51 encompasses parts of downtown Nashville, the Gulch, Germantown, East Nashville, Madison, Donelson and Inglewood. Davis previously served on the Nashville Metro Council for eight years.

Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, raised about $2 million in their week-long absence from the state House after expulsion in March. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the removal of Jones and Pearson allowed the lawmakers to raise money during the legislative session, which is normally not permitted. Jones raised $1,079,688.86 over the first six months of the year, and Pearson raised $1,058,036.34. Part of Pearson’s total includes the roughly $52,000 he raised at the start of 2023 to win his House seat in a special election held in January. Both face Republican opponents in the Aug. 3 general election.