At the statehouse: a new education funding formula, a lawsuit over redrawn districts, a move toward loosening gun laws 

Barring any last-minute changes, the lion’s share of legislation has now been unveiled, including a near buzzer-beater in the form of Gov. Bill Lee’s new education funding formula. That will likely be the biggest thing the 112th Tennessee General Assembly is remembered for.

Other news that sprung up during the last full week of February: a bill that would lower the age for open and concealed carry and a highly anticipated lawsuit over redistricting.

Governor’s unveils new K-12 funding formula 

After four months of meetings, public comments and research, Gov. Bill Lee and Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn released their proposal for a new education funding formula — and a new acronym.

TISA, or the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, will replace the nearly 30-year-old Basic Education Plan, or BEP. It comes forward while most of the state’s school districts are suing the state for chronic underfunding.  

More: Governor details new education funding formula, giving schools nearly $7K per student 

Lee believes the billion-dollar investment into education and the new plan will fix the issues that plagued BEP. 

“We are hopeful that, as this moves forward, districts, parents and students will see that this historic investment has been wisely spent,” Lee said.

With only a few weeks left until committees in the General Assembly stop meeting, Democrats worry the vetting process will be rushed. 

Tennesseans file lawsuit over Republican-drawn House and Senate maps 

Backed by the Tennessee Democratic Party, three Tennesseans have filed a complaint against state Republicans over the redrawn districts for Tennessee’s House and Senate.  

The lawsuit claims that the House maps unnecessarily divide 30 counties, the maximum number of splits allowed by state statute. For the Senate maps, they say the numbering pattern is off because the four districts in Davidson County aren’t consecutive.  

More: Tennesseans file suit over two redistricting maps drawn by state Republicans 

“The General Assembly numbered these districts 17, 19, 20, and 21, ensuring that three districts will be on the ballot during gubernatorial elections and just one district will be on the ballot during presidential elections,” the lawsuit says.  

During passage of the district maps, an amendment was offered that would’ve put the Senate districts in numeric order. 

Eighteen-year-olds could soon tote guns without a license 

A proposed law that’s making its way through the House would lower the age to lawfully carry a handgun in public to 18 and older. Currently, open and concealed carry are only allowed for Tennesseans 21 and up. The bill sponsor says the law change would follow the U.S. Constitution, which allows the right to keep and bear arms.  

The bill could have trouble gaining supporters, though. Department of Safety’s Elizabeth Stroecker says lowering the age to 18 could risk the state’s reciprocity agreements that allow Tennesseans to use their firearm license in more than 20 other states.  

More: Should 18-year-olds be able to carry guns in public? Some Tennessee lawmakers think so. 

One important note is that an 18-year-old in the state can already possess a firearm, the bill would allow them to carry. 

Currently, eight states allow all 18-year-olds to concealed carry without a permit. Some others, including Tennessee, only allow 18-year-olds who are members of the military to carry without a permit.