[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":56,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6573236,"mediaKeyId","3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f","parentId",3093219,"title","Senate roundup: consent calendars passed and multiple bills concurred or adopted on third reading","audioSeconds",183,"startMs",2572000,"endMs",2755000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f&start=2572&end=2755","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f/thumbnail_2572000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573236/Tennessee/Senate-roundup-consent-calendars-passed-and-multiple-bills-concurred-or-adopted-on-third-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573236-e70543bb46bfc99b9f5e3c1a43d78659/orig.mp4?Expires=1775491139&Signature=Rh9zddJk9o9B1~6K7Vz6BPfrGmwyXEYhPIoYk5Y3iKPBjCUJMYoN47ZxfTpo4t4BcRUtLt0l5aQGQKYVNhiaWnwqGjLWEef-knpAKJoOqL2NB4roQ-cShP8J97NKPJf4sZOyK6P2mLkUPsamvvjH9ERks3~eLIg0-Hsxgmc7kFebe3WdovZZhME3qW9Lbwuqr51kvoq7UMAV8DZ~4aAdfQFFx-KZFE~-ZK6mLeJms1YZFpliitXkwKRlhg~xLjEcY7zH71qiJy-pmsCqcuyON6juFoUUO1d~oLTSiYOZgNpzf~KeUa5D6yKK6fWxwaICLBjZEVwqmjbfYZVL4XYlSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tennessee","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Senate moved a large set of items on consent calendars and on the message calendar, taking final action on multiple bills with limited floor debate.

What passed by consent and concurrence

- Consent Calendar No. 1 (memorializing/congratulatory resolutions): passed unanimously by voice vote and recorded as Ayes 33 for the roll call noted on the floor.
- Consent Calendar No. 2 (general bills): passed; roll call on the floor recorded Ayes 33.
- Local bill consent calendar: passed; roll call on the floor recorded Ayes 32.

Selected bills on the message calendar (final action on concurrence or third reading)

- Senate Bill 207 (farmland preservation; House Amendment 1): Sponsor explained the amendment broadens the bill to farmers and forest landowners and clarifies easement rules; the Senate concurred on floor consideration and the clerk recorded a constitutional-majority concurrence.
- Senate Bill 416 (textbook/virtual materials approval process; House Amendment 1): Senate concurred; the amendment arranged a permanent virtual materials approval process by January 27.
- Senate Bill 536 (higher-education competitive-exception opt-outs; House Amendment 1): Senate concurred.
- Senate Bill 602 (teacher accrued-leave compensation to estates; House Amendment 2): Senate concurred.
- Senate Bill 737, 937, 1240, and others listed on the calendar were taken up and the Senate recorded concurrence by constitutional-majority votes where noted.

Other notable floor votes and actions

- House Joint Resolution 98 (urging Congress on PACT Act expansion): passed (Ayes 27, Nays 6).
- House Joint Resolution 100 (urging opioid-abatement allocation guidelines): passed (Ayes 28, Nays 4).
- House Bill 691/House Bill 69 (voter-registration eligibility verification process): the Senate substituted and passed the measure on the floor (Ayes 33 recorded).
- House Bill 175 (allowing TWRA rules for drone retrieval of wounded deer on private property): passed (Ayes 32 recorded).
- House Bill 371/House Bill 300 and multiple other bills: adopted after committee amendments or as amended on the floor with recorded roll-call results in the transcript.

What to watch next

Several measures were sent to committees for follow-up (for example, the forensic-exam bill for minors was referred back to Judiciary). The Senate also suspended several rules to allow additional calendars and memorializing resolutions to be placed for the next day.

Ending note: Most items on the day's agenda proceeded with either unanimous consent, brief sponsor explanation, or recorded concurrence to House amendments. The session included a number of contested floor debates on high-profile topics, which are covered in separate articles.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tennessee - Senate Session - 27th Legislative Day - Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On a largely procedural day, the Tennessee Senate approved multiple consent calendars and concurred on numerous House amendments; several bills were advanced with brief floor explanations or technical changes.","taxTitle","Senate Floor Session, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",79856,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":73,"_74":73},6573241,"Senate refers bill on minor sexual-assault forensic exams back to judiciary committee after floor questions",206,7974000,8180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f&start=7974&end=8180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f/thumbnail_7974000.jpg","/articles/6573241/Tennessee/Senate-refers-bill-on-minor-sexual-assault-forensic-exams-back-to-judiciary-committee-after-floor-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573241-4774d550a336783914de6e2a5977a8e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775491139&Signature=S3wFZsxfmduKzJfyWzbPQ-hWg4EeKFzyhCG1kV2Zs37VD~8FK4p8pjG7yTRCbL73YyZI1Y9FqgmvOwogQVxq8MSQR3GYNk1KWIBSVC~KceqH4gVOMWqfjXIXYXPo1i-I7BedvqvIvPuTSx4ihyv0hIM8oPaOAFJmM4sazm96EUNue3-kfkBYyzq52n5dqAqiE6C8TmF5y~Fd0QTe8RjVy77a4haSKaH1dNML6OW9sd1-K8oe~K~6tAHioA5UxE~iT9vuXoQOdqhgQeMHprr6cSgkEV~GqnT16RCD3eYmcFYdmKfRUqjiOcZVuacU6vUkgdutyC9x9cv6HvmaEMNYkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Senate considered a bill to clarify that minors may obtain a medical forensic exam (often called a “rape kit” or sexual-assault exam) without parental consent. Floor discussion included questions about the scope of the authority, parental notice, and the circumstances in which an examiner could proceed.

Senator Campbell, sponsor of the House substitute being considered on the floor, said the change is intended to ensure minors who seek time‑sensitive forensic exams can access them. “Minors should never be denied access to a medical forensic exam,” Campbell said on the floor, and the measure also extended existing reporting requirements for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on exam-processing timelines.

Several senators raised concerns about parental notification and the potential for trauma if an examination occurred without parents’ knowledge in situations where allegations involved other minors or were disputed. Senator Lowe described an example in which a young elementary-school child could be removed for an exam in a situation that might later be determined to be noncriminal; he asked whether parents would be notified if a minor were examined. Campbell replied the bill “clarifies that it is legal” for an exam to proceed in certain circumstances and that the bill seeks to protect access to time-sensitive evidence.

Following floor discussion, Senator Taylor moved to send the bill back to the judiciary committee for further consideration. By voice vote requested as a roll-call, the motion to refer prevailed: the clerk recorded Ayes 24; the bill was sent back to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further work.

Next steps: The bill will be reconsidered in committee; sponsors and opponents told the Senate they wanted additional review of procedural protections and clarity about when exams may proceed without parental consent.","Senate members debated a bill clarifying that minors may receive medical forensic exams without parental consent; questions about parental notice and process led to a successful motion to return the bill to judiciary committee for further review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":73,"_74":73},6573245,"Senate approves bill allowing attorney general to challenge local-government actions and seek withholding of state funds",597,5673000,6270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f&start=5673&end=6270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f/thumbnail_5673000.jpg","/articles/6573245/Tennessee/Senate-approves-bill-allowing-attorney-general-to-challenge-local-government-actions-and-seek-withholding-of-state-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573245-3ec9f848a65cfee87ad4543b53ecfda2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775491139&Signature=HGsePdNodn~v4koDstbWne2RDzHtEwIyYkVMv4D4DbiJB5HOTC8ckasvCkJhYq~VvEggwDb8HhsKsOSd8jx0Qt6IxpUXawL2ZwbPYrA35MgKBiE8Qz7gvRYE7WeTbBokvByi9U8nRkySHu26mrhyCfkN813LgPr4Jp00TgJZr~afL0257yaB2Wyo02POsWUu8PjaIcwahkWLpoAcyjgjnu1DBeq-P43asX1A9OW74quGLhHebqB7ciCSpdKGXbAniwfCnYlOEabIqXHhRPEWxs~cWbkQ4ZbmkXVxcIHh4cHFG3U9dmiSRqFJ9ElWHf38qrOcHPRybhputc0GjJetKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Senate passed legislation creating a formal review mechanism for local-government actions that the attorney general determines may violate state law or the state constitution.

Senator Briggs, describing the amendment that “rewrites the bill,” said the measure creates a process requiring the attorney general to notify a local government of a determination and allow the local government 60 days to appear, appeal, or correct the alleged violation. If the local government fails to respond or remedy the matter, the bill authorizes the attorney general to seek a special action before a three-judge panel asking for declaratory relief. If the three-judge panel finds a violation, the panel can order the commissioner of finance and administration and the state treasurer to withhold state funds allocated to the local government, including statutory or contractually distributed funds.

Briggs said the change was intended to ","The Senate approved a bill that authorizes the attorney general to review local-government actions alleged to violate state law or the Tennessee Constitution and, if violations are found and not corrected, to seek court orders to withhold state-allocated funds from the local government.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":73,"_74":73},6573249,"Senate approves transfer of Tennessee Human Rights Commission enforcement to Attorney General's office",986,6249000,7235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f&start=6249&end=7235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093219-23c1030cd7f453bda60e646a015d9f4f/thumbnail_6249000.jpg","/articles/6573249/Tennessee/Senate-approves-transfer-of-Tennessee-Human-Rights-Commission-enforcement-to-Attorney-Generals-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573249-155547093899c7cbc6886d83f27df545/orig.mp4?Expires=1775491139&Signature=igvfpR3DzRg5SgXnyIig-x5BRf5AnG7ewWtMde2CStFrIeaBETVatvnBi8fBxqbb242dwAa5elee1PBp569VOHUiGEvMGxaSGNoJmr-sc5R8be3Pc6IgLss2jeCPMPRR5wpUeP2qjUkZFB~-pDVfyOsWS4MQxGscyWingKxn0a38GfOtN-HVVhwtOrFPE5L5tiXfiZB3rIUySjt~dE3kgENsc7yVfgvRJeSFtOdOeCefKHPCMT0xACwS9OuiezijFUkS-Oz-xYXyBQG4FlvXReR-S0URMWj3GDnndJP4W6zFp8QDLDk36bM59oQfPQJtCox9LtK7tMty~0cnRaqwkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Senate voted to transfer investigation and enforcement authority for the Tennessee Human Rights Act from the Tennessee Human Rights Commission to a new Division of Civil Rights Enforcement inside the state Attorney General’s office.

Sponsor Senator Brent Stevens (Senator Stevens) told the Senate the change would “abolish the commission effective 07/01/2025” and place investigatory and enforcement responsibilities under the attorney general, who would have authority to investigate complaints and file suit on behalf of aggrieved persons and the state.

Supporters argued the commission had been slow to resolve complaints and that the attorney general’s office is better equipped to conduct timely, thorough investigations. “I think the Attorney General’s Office is the most appropriate place to handle these claims,” Stevens said, adding that the attorney general is appointed by the state Supreme Court and therefore “the least partisan of all three bodies within our constitution.”

Opponents, including Senator Oliver, said the commission’s independence and community representation matter for people seeking redress. Oliver noted vacancies on the commission and said the legislature had declined to fill them, which impaired the panel’s ability to act. “This is not just about race. This is about vulnerable people in our state who are being discriminated against and treated unfairly,” Oliver said.

Senator Roberts, who supported the measure, said the commission had repeatedly failed to serve complainants promptly. “This is an entity that has steadfastly been enormously ineffective,” Roberts said, urging lawmakers to place enforcement where it would be acted on.

Under the bill as explained on the floor, pending Human Rights Commission matters that were “far enough along” would be transferred for AG review; Stevens estimated roughly 30 to 40 such matters. The bill also preserves individuals’ private right of action to sue outside the administrative process and provides a 90‑day window for claimants whose matters are dismissed to refile under the new structure, language Stevens pointed to on the floor.

The attorney general’s office would gain access to the commission’s records and would exercise investigatory powers similar to those used under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, the sponsor said. Supporters cited other states that shifted similar responsibilities to their attorney general’s offices.

The Senate approved the measure on third and final consideration by a constitutional majority. The clerk recorded the final vote as Ayes 47, Nays 6.

Sources and next steps: The bill moves to the statutory process for final enactment; the text on the floor sets the effective date for the abolition of the independent commission as July 1, 2025, and directs the transfer of records and responsibilities to the attorney general’s office.

Ending note: Debate on the floor reflected a split between members focused on agency performance statistics and members emphasizing independent, community-facing review of civil-rights complaints.","The Tennessee Senate voted to move enforcement of the Tennessee Human Rights Act from the independent Human Rights Commission to the Attorney General’s new Division of Civil Rights Enforcement, effective July 1, 2025; supporters said the change will improve timeliness, opponents said it centralizes power.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate roundup: consent calendars passed and multiple bills concurred or adopted on third reading

Senate refers bill on minor sexual-assault forensic exams back to judiciary committee after floor questions

Senate approves bill allowing attorney general to challenge local-government actions and seek withholding of state funds

Senate approves transfer of Tennessee Human Rights Commission enforcement to Attorney General's office