Senate adopts special‑session rules and moves bills on first consideration

The Tennessee Senate on the first day of its 2nd extraordinary session adopted a package of rule changes designed for the special session and moved a set of senate bills on first consideration.

Senator Watson moved to adopt the Senate rules for the extraordinary session, outlining changes that include clarifying the Senate will not meet in the committee of the whole during the extraordinary session (Rules 7 and 68); allowing same‑day filing and introduction of bills if submitted before the end of session (Rule 25); setting a 6:00 p.m. cutoff on the first legislative day for filing general bills (Rule 27); deleting language that allowed caption bills to be withdrawn (Rule 28); allowing the calendar committee to set floor calendars and consent calendars by 4 p.m. the day before consideration (Rules 37 and 38); permitting amendments to be filed up until the start of session each day (Rule 39); and shortening notice requirements for the regular committee calendar (Rule 83). Senator Watson renewed the motion after describing the changes.

The clerk announced a recorded tally of the vote as 24 in favor and 6 opposed; the rules were declared adopted and the motion to reconsider was tabled pursuant to the Senate rule cited on the floor. Senator Watson moved the adoption; the motion was seconded by Leader Johnson, and the clerk announced the tally. The motion to reconsider was "hereby tabled," per the presiding officer.

Leader Johnson then moved, pursuant to Senate rule 32 and Article 2, Section 18 of the Tennessee Constitution, that Senate bills 7001 through 7006 and all bills filed prior to adjournment be passed on first consideration; without objection, those bills were passed on first consideration. Leader Johnson also moved that Senate Joint Resolutions 7001 and 7002 be introduced, passed on first consideration and held on the clerk's desk; that motion carried without objection.

Members were handed the standing committee appointment lists for the extraordinary session and were given time to review them. Leader Johnson presented a proposed schedule for the week of May 4; the schedule was adopted by voice and the Senate stood adjourned until 8:30 a.m. Wednesday next.

Actions recorded on the floor included the rules adoption (recorded vote announced by the clerk as 24–6), passage on first consideration of Senate bills 7001–7006 by unanimous consent, and formal introduction and holding of Senate Joint Resolutions 7001 and 7002 on the clerk's desk. The motion to reconsider the rules adoption was tabled.