Lee Backs Down

Last May, in response to a school shooting in Nashville, Governor Bill Lee, announced he would call for a special session of the legislators to consider certain gun control measures, red flag laws, to address mass shootings even though there are no laws that will stop mass shooters. It's already illegal to commit mass shootings.

Lee has backed away from his original plan for gun control.  Loudon County, and I'm sure other local governments, sent letters to the governor and legislators opposing any red flag laws.

Below are a couple of stories on his plan now.

East Tenn. lawmakers react to Gov. Lee’s official call for August special session Lawmakers have mixed reactions as the governor seeks tougher school safety and mental health laws.
 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Tuesday, Gov. Bill Lee issued an official call for a special session focusing on school safety and mental health protections.

In the call, Lee outlined seven things he wanted the state legislature to focus on.

  • Codification of EO 100 and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Report Implementation: Requires reporting of accurate, complete and timely records from court clerks to the TBI within 72-hours and requires electronic submissions of dispositions and expungements to the TBI
     
  • TennCare Mental Health Coverage Waiver: Directs TennCare to seek a waiver from the federal government to allow federal matching funds for Medicaid to cover services for mental illness and substance use disorders at institutions of mental diseases
     
  • Addressing Mental Health Workforce Challenges: Budget initiatives that prioritize opportunities to grow and retain mental health professionals in the state
     
  • Reforms for Mental Health: Expands access to mental health treatment by eliminating certain collaborative practice requirements for Advanced Registered Practice Nurses with psychiatric training
     
  • Strengthening the Identification of Individuals Arrested for Felonies: Provides for the collection of DNA at the time of an arrest for all felonies
     
  • Human Trafficking Report: Resolution directing TBI to report on the state of human trafficking in Tennessee
     
  • Promoting Safe Storage: Eliminates taxes on firearm safes and safety devices, provides free gun locks, expands safe storage training in state-approved safety courses, and creates a public service announcement to promote safe storage
Lee received backlash from his own party when he announced his initial intentions to bring lawmakers back at some point over the summer.
 

State Senator Richard Briggs supported the Governor’s call.

“The Governor’s call and agenda address some of the root causes of gun violence including mental health and gun security. I would hope a clear majority of the legislature and public can support these first measures. The Special Session is only the first step of the process in making our children and the public safer. I anticipate more proposals as we move toward the 2024 Session in January,” said Briggs.

State Representative Gloria Johnson Tweeted an official statement after the call.
 

Republican State Representative Jason Zachary supported the call for a special session and asked his Republican colleagues to give the session a chance.

“The Governor’s call for a special session is tightly drafted to ensure we focus on public safety and mental health. There has been much discussion in Republican circles as to whether or not we should have a special session. The Governor has the Constitutional right to call the Legislature into session. He has done so and we will work to address core issues that will make strengthen public safety and address our growing mental health crisis,” said Zachary.

The votes aren’t there’: Gov. Lee’s ERPO proposal not expected to be heard at special session, Lt. Gov. McNally says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One of Gov. Bill Lee‘s priority items for the special session likely won’t be heard at all, according to state lawmakers.

According to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, “the votes aren’t there” for the governor’s emergency relief protection order (ERPO) law.

The highest man in the Tennessee Senate said he felt the legislature had “a lot of good items” to discuss during the special session, but any discussion on the ERPO wouldn’t be a part of it.

McNally took a minority position earlier in the year when he publicly supported the ERPO; most other Republicans loudly decried any attempt to pass them, saying they were an infringement on the rights of “law-abiding Tennesseans.”

Speaking to pool reporters Thursday, McNally said he still supported the position but that there would need to be “a little more education” and “in-depth study of how that would be affected.”

Of the dozens of items listed in the official proclamation for the special session, Lee included an item for “Temporary mental health orders of protection,” which would have required due process hearings, suicidal or homicidal ideation assessments, clear and convincing evidence provided by law enforcement and not include any ex parte orders.

That item was the closest thing to an ERPO used in other states like Florida.

BACK
8/14/23