It’s the final countdown. With a little more than a month remaining in the 112th Tennessee General Assembly, we’ve entered a make-or-break few weeks for some high profile legislation.
Texas-style abortion bill is off the table
After clearing the House, a bill that would allow Tennesseeans to sue anyone who has helped a person get an abortion has been pulled from consideration.
The legislation, SB2582, is modeled after a bill in Texas that allows private citizens to sue abortion providers and anyone else involved in the procedure for as much as $10,000.
Senate Leader Randy McNally had earlier signaled his uneasiness with the bill, citing its potential to conflict with another anti-abortion measure that restricts most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
That law is currently making its way through the court — as is the Texas law, which will likely be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
One of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, said he’s disappointed but still plans to pursue it again in a future session.
Collegiate transgender athletes are again under the microscope from Republican lawmakers
Last year, Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation that bans transgender athletes from competing in middle school and high school sports.
This year, Republican lawmakers might expand that ban to higher education, too.
This week, the House Civil Justice Committee advanced a bill, HB2316 / SB2513, that bans transgender students from competing in collegiate women’s sports and introduces civil penalties for those who ignore the law.
“Post-puberty males and females are inherently different,” said House sponsor Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, during the committee hearing.
Tennessee Equality says the bill further stigmatizes an already marginalized community and could cost the state money in lawsuits.
“I think sports governing bodies who study this and can find paths for everyone to participate are the proper authority for that sort of thing,” Chris Sanders of the Tennessee Equality Project told NewsChannel 5.
‘Truth in sentencing bill’ could backfire, says Tennessee’s former prisons director
There’s growing concern over legislation that would require people convicted of certain crimes to serve 100% of their sentence, with no chance of early release.
The bill, HB2656 / SB2248, has widespread Republican support, including from the leaders of both the House and Senate. But former Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Tony Parker says keeping people in prison for longer could have unintended consequences.
Parker told WPLN’s Samantha Max that early release is an important tool that keeps communities safer by allowing those who are formerly incarcerated to improve their circumstances.
“Being able to incentivize positive behavior and programing inside our prisons is key,” he said. “It works. It works in other states. It works in Tennessee. It’s been working in Tennessee.”
Nashville’s mayor says ‘no thanks’ to hosting political conventions
Nashville is one of two finalists to host the Republican National Convention in 2024. But the city’s Democratic Mayor John Cooper is pouring cold water on using public money for conventions from either side of the political aisle.
His statement comes after Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton told reporters that Cooper should welcome the money generated from such an event.
“I don’t know why he wouldn’t be welcoming to whatever party wants to come here. That’s his deal. But we would welcome the Democratic Convention coming to Tennessee. We’d love to take all their money and put it in our coffers.”
The mayor’s office said in an email that Nashville has many more “pressing demands for taxpayer funds,” listing education, community safety and transportation.
Milwaukee is the other contender to host the 2024 convention.
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