The Tennessee House unexpectedly passed a measure, HB1931, that would roll back police reform in Memphis following the death of Tyre Nichols, who was fatally beaten by police at a traffic stop. The bill would prevent local governments from passing anything that would interfere with stopping crime, prompting outrage from Nichols' family and Memphis lawmakers. Despite efforts to delay the bill, it now requires approval from the Senate and the governor's signature to become law, prompting concerns about undermining efforts to prevent future tragedies and foster trust between law enforcement and the community.
The Tennessee House of Representatives continued to debate bills that were unlikely to pass after the Senate closed its final committees, having only passed three new laws and a $30 million funding package. Tensions between the House and Senate chambers were evident, with House Majority Leader William Lamberth stating that despite knowing the Senate would only pass three bills, all 37 bills in the House should continue forward. Protesters demanding gun control filled the House committees, and two bills received the most attention, one of which would have expanded who could bring guns onto school property and the other allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to be tried as adults for gun-related offenses. The Senate passed a budget bill, legislation for a sales tax break on gun storage, and other bills, while the two chambers remained in a standoff over how to conclude the special session.
Former Tennessee state Rep. Scotty Campbell issued an apology after resigning from the Tennessee House following an ethics committee's determination that he violated the General Assembly's policy on workplace discrimination and harassment. Campbell represented District 3 and was first elected in 2010. The Johnson County Commission will appoint someone to fill his former seat until a special election can be held. Campbell served as the House GOP caucus vice chairman and was on the Criminal Justice; Finance, Ways, and Means; and Transportation committees.
Justin J. Pearson has been reinstated to the Tennessee House just days after being ousted by GOP lawmakers. Pearson gave a passionate speech after his reinstatement, thanking those who supported him and calling for unity in the House. Pearson had been removed from his position due to allegations of sexual harassment, which he denies.
Justin Pearson, one of two Black Democrats expelled from the Republican-led Tennessee House for supporting gun control protesters, could return to the Legislature after a Memphis commission vote. Republicans banished Pearson and Rep. Justin Jones last week over their role in a gun control protest on the House floor after a Nashville school shooting that left six dead. The expulsions drew accusations of racism, and the Tennessee Democratic Party received a new jolt of support from across the U.S. Pearson grew up in the same House district he was chosen to represent after longtime state Rep. Barbara Cooper, a Black Democrat, died in office.
Nashville's Metro Council voted unanimously to send Democratic lawmaker Justin Jones back to his old seat in the Tennessee House, just four days after he was expelled by House Republicans for participating in a gun control protest. Nashville Mayor John Cooper and President Biden had criticized the expulsion, saying it subverted the will of the voters who elected him. Jones has become a national figure at the center of debates over gun violence, racial bias, and democratic norms.
The Nashville Metro Council has unanimously voted to temporarily reinstate Democrat Justin Jones to his seat in the Tennessee House after he was expelled last week for leading gun reform protests on the chamber floor. Jones will hold the seat until a special election can be held. Black leaders have called the move racist and hypocritical, as two other lawmakers who participated in the protest were also expelled, while a white lawmaker escaped expulsion.
Nashville's Council unanimously voted to reappoint Justin Jones as an interim representative for the District 52 House seat, four days after he was expelled for leading chants for gun reform on the chamber floor. Jones became the first Tennessee House representative to be removed from elected office for a decorum violation. The House Republican supermajority ejected Jones with a 72-25 vote for defying House decorum. Jones is eligible to run for reelection.
Nashville's Metro Council unanimously voted to reinstate Justin Jones, the Tennessee House representative who was expelled last week for participating in a gun control rally. Jones will serve as an interim legislator until a special election is called. The Republican-led statehouse expelled Jones and Justin Pearson for allegedly violating the chamber's rules of decorum by participating in the March 30 protest. State Rep. Gloria Johnson, who also took part in the protest, was subjected to an expulsion vote but not enough members supported it.
