Votes at a glance: key actions from the Senate Judiciary Committee
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Summary
The committee approved multiple bills for the calendar or finance committees, including caps on non‑economic damages in specified maternal‑injury suits, correctional formulary changes, organized retail theft penalties and several criminal‑justice and probate updates; one high‑profile land‑use bill was rolled for revision.
The Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee completed a busy docket and took the following formal actions:
- SB 26‑21 (item 22): Cap non‑economic damages at $1,000,000 for certain OB/GYN/maternal negligence claims — committee recorded 8 ayes, 1 no; bill goes to the calendar.
- SB 17‑90 (item 23): Amendment aligning correctional formulary practices with non‑opioid consideration adopted; roll call 9 ayes; bill goes to the calendar.
- SB 14‑86 (item 24): Amendment requiring sheriff’s offices and applicable jails to honor ICE detainers up to 48 hours passed in committee (7 ayes, 2 noes) and was sent to finance for further review.
- SB 17‑08 (item 25): Sponsor asked to send the bill back to the Senate calendar after discussion and public testimony; roll call was 7 ayes, 2 noes.
- SB 22‑65 (item 26): Organized retail theft penalties increased, value aggregation extended and TBI registry provision — committee recorded 8 ayes, 1 present; bill goes to finance.
- SB 18‑58 (item 27): Amendment changing three‑judge panel venue and remedy period adopted; bill goes to calendar.
- SB 19‑08 (item 28): Property Vesting Rights Act—substantial member concern and public opposition; sponsor rolled the bill for two weeks to allow revisions.
- SB 21‑84 (item 29): Probate/partition clarifications; voted out to the calendar (7 ayes, 2 noes).
- SB 17‑36 (item 30): Increased hit‑and‑run penalties; sent to finance (8 ayes, 1 no).
- SB 24‑02 (item 32): Pilot program to record child‑abuse interviews in at least three counties; amendment adopted and bill to calendar (9 ayes).
- SB 12‑25 (item 33): Human trafficking/self‑defense presumption and 12‑hour hold for obstruction adopted; bill passed committee (vote recorded as 7 ayes; 1 no; 1 present).
- SB 17‑74 (item 34): Expanded bullying consequences for school employees; unanimous committee approval (9 ayes).
- SB 16‑60 (later item): Arson enhancements for places of worship and pregnancy resource centers; moved to calendar (9 ayes).
Several other bills were rolled to give sponsors and stakeholders time to work on amendments; the committee adjourned without objection.