[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6322700,"mediaKeyId","2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33","parentId",2346900,"title","Votes at a glance: Key actions taken by Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25","audioSeconds",4680,"startMs",422000,"endMs",5102000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33&start=422&end=5102","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33/thumbnail_422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322700/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-actions-taken-by-Tennessee-Senate-Judiciary-Committee-on-Feb-25","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322700-ba59c42e8c7f6347fa0fcb4db9fc62dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1776090991&Signature=Da3S0Ev4dMi4PiqP7cMejthIzrz9nWYUros8SV6AdoKwNZ7ROLohxeu3MwTX6MVPGA--37NLDidkjq0IsgjY1JZkFjV4sM9VHNVjOtkGus5JU94E0JwqfuOS30bZ7~Oz-APxOrAAoAxMBez9PZ9hZ43bwt536Jb4kd5mA6YD1kKFLxYa7FvFuLsly6tlRQIpSm2vj6pARTWEoM5ODpefOdRw2AOYw3DyuZNnp5kuYv71sF5o2VcTLSg8c4qtI549Rv0xMgWCHW5M5ilxQbr6YnIlihHTunvi3Pt1dyrseRYswsa3uah9qdQUQLDXnJ57XXTGlPWnQ4VXxPTlXqpQNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Below are the formal actions recorded by the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee during its Feb. 25 meeting. Each item lists the motion, mover/second when available, the roll-call votes recorded in the hearing transcript and the committee outcome as announced at the proceeding.

1) Senate Bill 19 (cleanup amendment)
Motion: Move the bill (clean-up amendment changing a few words in statute).
Mover/Second: Sponsor moved; second recorded.
Vote: Senator Harshbarger (aye); Senator Kyle (aye); Senator Lamar (abstain); Senator Roberts (aye); Senator Rose (aye); Senator Stevens (aye); Senator Taylor (aye); Senator White (aye); Chairman Gordon Hire (aye).
Tally/Outcome: 8 ayes, 1 abstention; \"The bill moves out to calendar.\" (as recorded in committee minutes)

2) Attorney General budget referral (presentation by Jonathan Scrimetti)
Motion: Motion to refer the Attorney General's budget request to the Finance Committee.
Mover/Second: Motion by Chairman Gardner; second by Senator Stevens (as announced by the chair).
Vote: Senator Harshbarger (aye); Senator Kyle (no); Senator Lamar (no); Senator Roberts (aye); Senator Rose (aye); Senator Stevens (aye); Senator Taylor (aye); Senator White (aye); Chairman Gardner (aye).
Tally/Outcome: 7 ayes, 2 noes; budget referred to Finance Committee.

3) Senate Bill 45 (sentencing enhancement when adult uses a minor)
Motion: Move Senate Bill 45 (enhancement when adult commits offense with a minor; expands enhancements to nonviolent offenses involving minors).
Mover/Second: Sponsor moved; second recorded.
Vote: Senators Harshbarger, Kyle, Lamar, Roberts, Rose, Stevens, Taylor, White, and Chairman Gordon Hire recorded as \"Aye\" on the roll call.
Tally/Outcome: 9 ayes; committee announced \"Congratulations\" and moved the bill out to calendar.

4) Senate Bill 252 (Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund administrative change)
Motion: Motion to move SB 252 (modify frequency of recalculation of maximum award amount from annually to every three years; administrative efficiency changes).
Mover/Second: Motion by sponsor (Senator Hill); second by Senator White.
Vote: Unanimous roll call recorded with all members voting aye.
Tally/Outcome: 9 ayes; bill sent to calendar.

5) Senate Bill 299 (medical cannabis commission quorum and membership amendment)
Motion: Motion to adopt amendment (drafting code 3503) and move bill as amended (reconstitute appointments, expand eligibility so commission can make policy recommendations if federal scheduling changes).
Mover/Second: Motion by Chairman White on amendment; second by Senator Hunter (per transcript record); sponsor explained the amendment; voice vote adopted the amendment; roll call on amended bill recorded.
Vote: Senators Harshbarger, Kyle, Lamar, Roberts, Rose, Taylor, White and Chairman Gordon Hire recorded aye; Senator Stevens recorded no on the final vote.
Tally/Outcome: 8 ayes, 1 no; bill with amendment goes to calendar.

6) Senate Bill 591 (reporting duty expansion to child care, preschools, religious institutions) — ROLL/DEFER
Action: Sponsor presented bill and amendment; committee engaged in questions about scope and whether the bill would create duplicate reporting duties for mental health providers; members requested more stakeholder conversations.
Outcome: Sponsor moved to roll the bill to next week to allow time for amendment drafting and stakeholder discussions (committee granted the roll/deferral).

7) Senate Bill 221 (judge access to juvenile records for bail decisions; amended to five-year lookback)
Motion: Move SB 221; adopt amendment 3523 limiting juvenile lookback to five years for bail-setting purposes.
Mover/Second: Motion by sponsor; second by Senator White on amendment.
Vote: Roll-call recorded: Senator Harshbarger (aye); Senator Kyle (no); Senator Lamar (no); Senator Roberts (aye); Senator Rose (aye); Senator Stevens (aye); Senator Taylor (aye); Senator White (aye); Chairman Roberts (aye).
Tally/Outcome: Committee announced 6 ayes and 2 noes; bill advanced to Senate calendar as amended.

8) Senate Bill 672 (increase penalties for intentionally obstructing highways/bridges — sponsor seeks targeted amendment)
Action: Sponsor explained prior-year history, described intent to limit penalties to intentional obstruction of roadways and bridges; legal counsel explained that language as written could be broader than sponsor intended and could reach sidewalks and other public passageways.
Outcome: Sponsor requested the bill be rolled to next week to allow counsel to draft an amendment narrowing the text; the committee agreed to defer the bill for one week for amendment drafting and stakeholder discussion.

9) Senate Bill 678 (aggravated sexual battery penalty increase for victims under 18 or incapacitated)
Motion: Move SB 678 (increase penalty when aggravated sexual battery committed against a victim under 18 or a known incapacitated/physically helpless person).
Mover/Second: Motion moved and seconded; youth advocate presented testimony in support.
Vote: Roll call recorded with the majority voting aye; the roll-call summary recorded the committee result as 7 ayes and 2 recorded otherwise per transcript roll notation.
Tally/Outcome: Bill moved to calendar (committee recorded the bill as advancing to calendar).

10) Senate Joint Resolution 9 (victims' bill of rights constitutional amendment — amendment adopted)
Motion: Adopt amendment with additional whereas clauses and move the resolution as amended.
Mover/Second: Motion by Senator Stevens; second recorded.
Vote: Roll call recorded: A majority voted aye; committee recorded the resolution as approved to calendar by 7 ayes and 2 noes on the roll.
Tally/Outcome: Resolution moved to calendar as amended.

11) Senate Bill 371 (address gaps in DNA collection and require facility collection timelines)
Motion: Move SB 371 (standardize DNA collection from felons in custody; authorize submission of DNA from incarcerated deceased offenders not previously submitted).
Mover/Second: Motion by Senator Rose; second noted in transcript.
Vote: Roll call recorded with unanimous ayes (nine ayes on the roll recorded in the transcript).
Tally/Outcome: SB 371 moved to Senate calendar for further consideration.

Notes: This \"Votes at a glance\" summary captures the motions and roll-call outcomes recorded in the committee transcript; wording of some motions was clarified by sponsors or staff during discussion. If exact statutory text or amendment language is needed, consult the bill packets or staff-drafted amendments filed with the Senate clerk.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Judiciary Committee\tFeb 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Judiciary Committee acted on multiple bills and budget items during its Feb. 25 meeting; the items below list motions, movers, roll-call votes and committee outcomes as recorded in the hearing.","taxTitle","Judiciary, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",29605,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322705,"Experts, survivor urge expanded DNA collection as Judiciary Committee considers law to close collection gaps",1793,3178000,4971000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33&start=3178&end=4971","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33/thumbnail_3178000.jpg","/articles/6322705/Tennessee/Experts-survivor-urge-expanded-DNA-collection-as-Judiciary-Committee-considers-law-to-close-collection-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322705-d3aaf96b310b84c7ee00bb604eba36a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776090991&Signature=c-IaqPIF-YW9-MgVtD6p~eJ1mVC-a2S2ezPIY7lJgCT7tunPfBXI~mqZrze75xJJlduf1huQB5fVOk~MHQeU3zC0Z-bpUmf4HuYNmW3P22DNQuU7o8ECRCPwuG5LomQV39Ock~XUiPPrGyNoLcua2~LOKOJz30Fw3d2rds48Ta7~CBP6EhutYU5Y2fWEtsO287~bBcbDLcHZMGyejLl~kUSm2zUDTaF97f5pqCJ2sBs07hA5dOiUekq-EiVvRzV~-dAj5VsXjUh6n1MHerjEs7z1a97oimi1u6LrcjPsDr2q~cqVBo84ZWu3aZ1ZO3aM4Y0MtOs9oudBAt~9gQCuUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Researchers, a survivor of a 1990s sexual assault and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) staff told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25 that expanding and standardizing DNA collection will increase the number of matches from CODIS, help solve cold cases and may act as a deterrent for repeat violent offenders.

John Roman, director of the Center on Public Safety and Justice at NORC at the University of Chicago, summarized two decades of research showing that larger offender databases improve investigative outcomes and that DNA collection at crime scenes is substantially more effective than alternative investigative tools in certain crimes. \"CODIS can reduce crime in 3 ways, through specific deterrents, general deterrents, and by directly aiding criminal investigations,\" Roman said.

He cited research finding that testing biological evidence from residential burglary scenes identified a perpetrator in about 31% of cases where DNA was used compared with roughly 12% in comparable cases without DNA collection. Roman said the cost of DNA collection and testing can be modest relative to the investigatory benefit and that persons identified through DNA-aided investigations often have extensive prior criminal histories.

Survivor testimony: Ashley Spence of the DNA Justice Project described how a felony arrest cheek swab in another state led to a CODIS match years after her assault and the subsequent conviction of a serial offender; she said Texas's expansion to all felony arrests led to more than 1,000 cold-case resolutions in its first year, according to figures she cited.

TBI policy director Patrick Powell said Tennessee currently collects DNA from felony convictions and certain violent felony arrests and that the bureau is supportive of closing gaps, including legislation the committee considered to standardize collection from incarcerated felons and to require post‑mortem collection from imprisoned offenders who die in custody if DNA had not been collected previously.

Action: The committee considered and approved Senate Bill 371, which, as explained by the sponsor, requires law enforcement and correctional facilities to standardize collection of DNA from felons in custody and permits submission of DNA from deceased offenders who were not previously submitted. The secretary recorded a unanimous roll call of nine ayes and the bill was placed on calendar for further Senate consideration.

Why it matters: Expanding DNA collection and ensuring consistent collection from incarcerated and deceased offenders increases the chance of matching crime-scene DNA to a known offender and can help close cases and identify serial offenders.

Ending: Committee members asked for additional comparative data; witnesses offered to provide national matrixes of state practices and the TBI said it would assist in drafting implementation details to address costs and lab capacity.","Researchers and advocates told the Senate Judiciary Committee that enlarging Tennessee's CODIS database and standardizing DNA collection from incarcerated and deceased offenders can solve cold cases and deter repeat offenders; the committee approved a bill standardizing collection and adding deceased incarcerated offenders to the database.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322710,"Public defenders tell Judiciary Committee state offices are understaffed, request more positions and technology funding",1215,3950000,5165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33&start=3950&end=5165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33/thumbnail_3950000.jpg","/articles/6322710/Tennessee/Public-defenders-tell-Judiciary-Committee-state-offices-are-understaffed-request-more-positions-and-technology-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322710-f36005ba7ef539df405f18590fbbd04a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776090991&Signature=h8gcaSOY2yUghMOJUvGEjmUA8kNhadin0Ywdfgh1s4n8oG6d7U-sCFvK4TnBgLxX9sP2gW~t6jrLXImTO9k0fG2rNsyVD~vJ3DpsFghJXBvKRuaLqFAktnMXJTYumol42wIyD63zU9c7MZleqMgC2IONWM72GnhRRBymdD7X2ud-yK56aCcKeuRZWNsG2GPbpByi-0cTl-Y6xppqTY294hJkula5qh9NvFDMNYE6T2RUojV7KRl54lS6cNE-kEq1EM97etSjsVN5S-LyE7skQOPFPXzbLVFfPfJmB4t0xSRP~JLTzNSOhISlpOtG1lD7OOx4HCMZ6X53MK7Xd4a4PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25 that statewide public defense is operating with a heavy workload, limited non‑payline budget items and a need for additional positions and pay parity in some urban districts.

\"It's 91% salary and benefits,\" Patrick Froge, the conference's executive director, said of the statewide budget he presented. He said the conference has a lean non‑payroll budget and that most of the funding is devoted to personnel costs. Froge said the conference receives some revenue from a county court filing fee option and that Shelby and Davidson counties also provide county funding for their offices, which complicates statewide planning and pay parity.

Why it matters: Public defenders represent a majority of accused defendants in many jurisdictions; staffing shortages and pay disparities can affect casework, court speed and reliance on appointed private counsel.

Froge described long‑standing concerns about caseloads: he said recent estimates suggest public defenders now handle around 70% of cases statewide and that, using several national weighting studies and local adjustments, the conference believes Tennessee lacks many lawyers for adequate coverage (he estimated roughly 80 lawyers short systemwide excluding Shelby and Davidson). For the current budget cycle the conference requested a bundle of items including statutory step raises, funding for Shelby County pay adjustment, five defense positions funded in the administration's budget and additional defense positions (Froge said the conference sought a total of 24 positions in this request, and historically has sought larger phased increases).

Froge also described a request for a JusticeText platform, an AI-based tool that can transcribe and help analyze body‑worn and other digital evidence to reduce attorney time spent on evidence review.

Committee action: After the presentation, the Judiciary Committee moved to accept the conference's budget request and referred it to the Finance Committee; the committee roll call recorded nine ayes. The secretary's roll listed Senators Harshbarger, Kyle, Lamar, Roberts, Rose, Stevens, Taylor, White and Chairman Gardner as voting aye.

Froge said the conference is recruiting and that turnover is down to roughly 12 percent; he reiterated the need for additional headcount in districts with high caseloads and described practical barriers to cross‑district sharing of attorneys, which he said would create conflicts and administrative complications.

Ending: The committee approved forwarding the public defenders' request to the Finance Committee for consideration. Froge said the conference will provide further data if requested.","The Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference told the Senate Judiciary Committee it is lean (91% of funds go to payroll), lacks attorneys across districts and requested new positions, pay adjustments for Shelby County, and funding for an AI transcription platform; committee voted to send the request to finance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322715,"Tennessee attorney general outlines caseload, staffing and litigation priorities during Judiciary Committee budget hearing",1330,814000,2144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33&start=814&end=2144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346900-7f95cc938a1605b0ac4e3c87864f7f33/thumbnail_814000.jpg","/articles/6322715/Tennessee/Tennessee-attorney-general-outlines-caseload-staffing-and-litigation-priorities-during-Judiciary-Committee-budget-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322715-ebd5d92f93694f6d8d04821d73bbb2a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776090991&Signature=kzZUAk1HJPsOSGlsReJYkWOjDd30hfVr-hzYdD~cHbF2PGFPqHA-Cdjy0MoZ1F5l0FKMFHorBfOjWZrKONvmqdO~cS~1L3o5vp8U5GCvxwkuAdzkr6laXgxy40gTKvDNAeUwzwi-alWoy-spLsno88tp-81OTZobaBVqDWU9WJJlbbKs7jwF6pKwaBEVixeg1us3DfmkdoCWHWJeit4EKN0AQc6Oox5c6YLdjE2razNFo~qcBkegvEiLk3Pfci-DPD7xDYkzAl5iaNEjBMnYy2jcuoAyiawdNWBBgOhD~QcEF1SYrCRivyFAib-FzazGAC5UJY6IU5duzsYL4KMrVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter Jonathan Scrimetti told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25 that his office has about 17,000 open matters handled by roughly 211 lawyers and 52 non‑attorney staff, and outlined recent reorganizations and major litigation as he sought committee consideration of his office's budget request.

Scrimetti said the office had a fiscal year 2024 budget of about $69,000,000, approximately 53.8% of which was state dollars, and that the office \"brought in almost $350,000,000\" in recoveries and other receipts during the year. He described a reorganization that created a general litigation division, an administrative law division and a torts division intended to align legal practice areas and improve efficiency.

The appearance was part of a scheduled budget hearing. \"We have approximately 17,000 open matters right now in the office,\" Scrimetti told the committee. He described an expanding strategic litigation unit, funded by prior legislative appropriations and now fully staffed, with 40 open cases including high-profile matters he referenced as the SB 1 litigation that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and a case against Meta regarding social media and teen mental health.

Why it matters: The attorney general's office defends state statutes and agencies in complex litigation and seeks recoveries that can offset state costs; staffing and budget decisions affect the office's ability to litigate major cases and reduce reliance on outside counsel.

Committee members pressed Scrimetti on staffing and budget details. Senator Lamar asked about a requested increase of $1,300,000 for seven positions; Scrimetti acknowledged the request and described a mix of current vacancies, including federally funded transportation positions, an investigator position for consumer protection, a coding nurse vacancy tied to Medicaid fraud work, and openings for experienced litigators in special prosecutions. Kelly Smith, the office's chief operating officer, told the panel the seven requested positions were not included in the governor's recommended budget.

Scrimetti also described recent authority given to the office to litigate post‑conviction capital cases (citing Public Chapter 182) and noted the office is preparing for additional workload if the Tennessee Supreme Court allows those cases to proceed. He said the strategic litigation unit's work has included administrative and regulatory matters, immigration-related cases and defense of the state's abortion statutes in the case the office described as Blackmun.

Committee action: After the presentation and questions, the committee made a motion and voted to refer the attorney general's budget to the finance committee for further consideration; the roll call recorded Senators Harshbarger (aye), Kyle (no), Lamar (no), Roberts (aye), Rose (aye), Stevens (aye), Taylor (aye), White (aye) and Chairman Gardner (aye). The clerk announced the count as seven ayes and two noes and the budget was sent to finance.

Scrimetti closed by saying the office will continue recruiting to reduce outside counsel costs and is monitoring ongoing litigation that could affect the state; he invited any member to follow up with staff for details.

Ending: The committee then continued its agenda; Scrimetti remained available for follow-up questions but no further votes on the AG request were taken in Judiciary beyond the referral to finance.","Attorney General Jonathan Scrimetti told the Senate Judiciary Committee his office handles roughly 17,000 open matters, reorganized divisions to improve efficiency and is seeking new positions; committee voted to send the office's budget request to the finance committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Key actions taken by Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25

Experts, survivor urge expanded DNA collection as Judiciary Committee considers law to close collection gaps

Public defenders tell Judiciary Committee state offices are understaffed, request more positions and technology funding

Tennessee attorney general outlines caseload, staffing and litigation priorities during Judiciary Committee budget hearing