Constitutional amendment gives judges more discretion for bail A proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that would increase public safety by allowing bail to be denied for more violent crimes advanced out of the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee this week.  House Joint Resolution 859, filed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, would expand…

Grant program for school emergency alert response systems advances Legislation that would establish a grant program for safety alert systems in Tennessee public schools advanced out of the Government Operations Committee this week. House Bill 2528, sponsored by State Rep. Ron Gant, R-Piperton, would provide $60,000 annually to assist local school districts and public charter…

Budget becomes central focus in final weeks of 113th General Assembly Members of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee this week were briefed by Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson on Gov. Bill Lee’s amended budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year. “We’ve been really managing our expenses to stay significantly under our revenues,”…

General Assembly celebrates agriculture in Tennessee Tennessee’s annual Ag Day on the Hill was held at the State Capitol in Nashville on March 19 and featured a variety of events, exhibits, activities and livestock along with producers and exhibitors from across the state. The event coincided with National Agriculture Week. In Tennessee, agriculture-related industries employ…

General Assembly confirms new Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Members of the General Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mary L. Wagner to the Tennessee Supreme Court in a joint session in the House chamber on Monday. Wagner is currently the circuit court judge for the 30th Judicial District, which covers Shelby County. She previously served as…

General Assembly passes ELVIS Act Tennessee first in the nation to protect ‘voice’ from AI misuse The General Assembly this week unanimously passed first-of-its-kind legislation protecting artists’ identity and work from misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, now heads…

House advances school choice, bolsters public education Plan gives families the power to use their tax dollars to choose the best school that meets the needs of their child House Republicans this week unveiled a sweeping proposal to improve education in Tennessee by expanding school choice opportunities for families and strengthening existing public schools statewide.…

House approves Duty to Warn Act to enhance public safety The Tennessee House of Representatives this week approved Republican legislation to increase protections for those targeted by threats of violence. House Bill 1625, also known as the Duty to Warn Act, requires mental health professionals and behavior analysts in Tennessee to inform local law enforcement…