State Court Officials Cite Benefits Of New Laws Affecting The Courts Saturday, July 3, 2021
Tennessee lawmakers passed several key pieces of legislation this year that officials said will improve and impact the state’s court system.
State court officials said, From the creation of new three-judge panel to hear certain constitutional challenges to the expansion of recovery courts and safe baby courts, the new laws allow the courts to modernize and innovate. Several pieces of legislation also focus on improving data collection in the state courts and in juvenile courts, which will allow for data driven decision making and better resource allocation while continuing the Administrative Office of the Courts efforts to be a world-class repository of court data from every level of court in the state.
Shelby County lawmakers react after bill banning teaching of Critical Race Theory passes This Jan. 8, 2020, photo shows the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Source: Mark Humphrey) By WMC Action News 5 Staff | May 6, 2021 at 2:43 AM CDT - Updated May 6 at 2:43 AM
An amendment to the bill states schools could lose state funding for teaching about systemic racism and white privilege.
Shelby County lawmakers were divided over the bill.
State Senator Brian Kelsey supports the measure.
In a tweet, he said “Critical Race Theory teaches that American democracy is a lie. It teaches that the rule of law does not exist & is instead a series of power struggles among racial groups. It is harmful to our students & is antithetical to everything we stand for as Americans & as Tennesseans.”
Tennessee lawmaker backs down from measure banning local challenges of state law constitutionality Yue Stella Yu, Nashville Tennessean
A Tennessee lawmaker s attempt to bar local authorities from filing constitutional challenges over state law has failed for the year.
The proposal, spearheaded by Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, has been watered down and passed the Senate 17-10 on Wednesday following bipartisan concerns from his colleagues the bill could restrict local governments authority to hold the state accountable.
The House matched with the Senate version Wednesday night and passed the bill 71-21. The bill is pending Gov. Bill Lee s signature.
The language barring local constitutional challenges was removed from Kelsey s original proposal. Under the previous language, local authorities would have been barred from suing the state in court or funding similar lawsuits over a state law s constitutionality. The bill also would have allowed any challenged sta
The bill would authorize businesses to sell liquor and beer to-go for three more years. Author: WBIR Staff Updated: 10:19 PM CDT April 27, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. A bill that would let Tennessee businesses continue selling alcohol to-go is making its way through the legislature.
S.B. 0681 was introduced by Senator Brian Kelsey (R - District 31) and allows businesses licensed for on-premises drinking to offer drive-through, pickup and carryout orders of alcohol.
The bill also requires that food be sold in the same order and that the drinks are packaged in a container or bottle with a secure lid that must be removed before drinking. It also says businesses cannot sell more than 16 fluid ounces per purchase or more than a container of wine per purchase.