TN House Passes Legislation Amidst Protests, Special Session Drags Out Despite Adjournment Attempts

Chants of “Resign Sexton” were levied at House Speaker Cameron Sexton from the House gallery.

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

When yesterday’s legislative workday began, there was speculation on whether lawmakers would move forward or agree to adjourn, putting an end to the special session on public safety four days into it. 

Protestors urging gun control have frequented the Capitol building ever since proceedings began on Monday, and yesterday was no exception. 

Parents with Moms Demand Action and students with Students Demand Action, alongside others, quickly totaled out the maximum number of people allowed in the one side of the House gallery currently open to the public. 

The House of Representatives was scheduled to convene at noon on Thursday, August 24^th, but failed to reach a quorum with only a handful of representatives showing up on the House floor.

It was then announced that the House session would begin at 3pm instead. 

After protestors vacated the House gallery, their rendition of the song “This Little Light of Mine,” also sung prior to the Senate Floor proceedings that morning, made a scene in the lobby.

The singing was followed by multiple chants as Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville-District 25) and his security detail exited the chamber.

When the House finally reconvened at 4:06pm many members of the public were prepared for their lawmakers to simply take role and adjourn. 

However, the legislative body did meet for almost three hours as they discussed and passed legislation previously considered by the Senate.  

First in the lineup was HB7070/SB7089, an appropriations bill addressing expenses associated with the special legislative session. 

The bill was explained by Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Special Session Chair Patsy Hazlewood (R-Signal Mountain-District 27) and passed by a 90-2 vote.

HB7002/SB7001, requiring schools to develop a policy that directs students and staff on how to respond in the event that a fire alarm is activated “due to the presence of an active shooter,” passed by a vote of 94-1. 

HB7003/SB7058, a bill to protect victims of aggravated stalking by implementing lifetime protection orders, passed 94-0.

HB7004/SB7081, requiring mental health facilities to notify the law enforcement agency that transported a person to the mental health facility, of that person’s release, passed 88-4.

Another mental health bill, HB7027/SB7080, requiring the state to pay the cost of court-ordered mental health evaluations and treatment for criminal defendants who have been charged with a misdemeanor, passed 89-1.

Other bills passed in the House on Thursday include:

HB7007/SB7090, specifying that autopsy reports for minor victims of violent crime are not public documents;

HB7041/SB7088, requiring the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to annually submit data on human trafficking activity;

HB7071/SB7018 requiring the TBI to submit an annual report on mass shootings in Tennessee; and

HB7061/SB7067, requiring the Department of Education to annually notify school districts of all government grant programs available for mental health resources in schools.

A lack of consensus by lawmakers on what subject matter should be considered during the special session remained clear throughout much of yesterday’s discussion.

The House adjourned for the week and is scheduled to reconvene at 2pm (CST) on Monday, August 28^th. 

So far, attempts to adjourn the special session in its entirety have failed despite the efforts of Conservative legislators.

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.