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| Exactly one year removed from the very week that the pandemic caused nearly everything in Tennessee to come to an immediate halt, the slow transition back to near-normalcy continued in Nashville this week. The latest sign of progress was observed in the Cordell Hull Building, where Lt. Governor/Senate Speaker Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) allowed the general public to once again access the Senate committee hearing rooms and the Senate office floor, both of which had previously been restricted to members only outside of narrow circumstances. While mandatory masks, restricted seating and social distancing were still in place, the reopening of the Senate was yet another signal that Tennessee’s covid outlook is improving, with the end of the pandemic in near sight due to increased vaccine availability and the overall decline in the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state.
Legislation to Remove Chancellor Lyle Fails A House Resolution to initiate the process of removing Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle from the bench failed in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee this week, following lengthy testimony by three members of the legal community who expressed concerns about the impact the resolution would have on the concepts of separation of powers, and a fair and impartial judiciary. Sponsor Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro) initially attempted to defer the legislation to the last calendar, but following the testimony the question was called, and the “no” votes prevailed on a voice vote. The resolution to initiate removal proceedings resulted from a series of election law rulings siding against the state that Chancellor Lyle issued in the summer of 2020, which were partially overturned on appeal. In opposing the resolution, legal interests – including the Tennessee Bar Association – argued that the system of checks and balances worked as it should, as the appellate court system overturned the opinion, and other corrective measures such as the Board of Judicial Conduct and the voice of the people at the ballot box were in place as well. Legislation Advances to Streamline Laboratory Personnel Regulations Legislation to streamline the process to increase the amount of medical laboratory personnel advanced this week. House Bill 226, by Rep. Kevin Vaughan (R- Collierville) passed the Health Subcommittee. The legislation is intended to align the state with federal regulations by amending the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Act for pharmacies and private laboratories. Vaughan stressed the lack of lab workers within the state, stating workers would only be required to have a bachelorette degree and then receive additional training once hired. Dr. Dave Smalley, President of the American Esoteric Laboratories in Memphis, spoke in support of the legislation, noting that 65% of medical laboratory training programs have closed, and arguing that the legislation will allow labs to be able to recruit more needed personnel. The bill will be heard in the House Health Committee next week. Department of Health Reports Positive Outlook for Vaccine Rollout The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard testimony from Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey on Wednesday, with Commissioner Piercey reporting an encouraging and optimistic outlook on the future of the vaccination rollout in Tennessee. Piercey forecast that the state would be in a position to open each phase of the rollout in the next 60 days, highlighting the state’s focus on equity, instead of speed in the process. Last week, the state moved into Phase “1C” as some counties – previously vaccinating only teachers and people age 65 and older – ran out of eligible residents seeking the vaccine. Piercey indicated that the state would see a surge in vaccine distribution in the very near future with increased amounts of doses being sent to every state. Looking Ahead Legislative leadership continues to eye a late-April adjournment, which means that committee activity will increase significantly in the next month. Expect committee calendars to grow in the next week, as lawmaker scramble to put bills “on notice” before committee closures are announced. Please pay close attention to your bill tracking report this month and let us know of any matter of importance. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. Have a great weekend. |
