Tennessee House: confirmations, jury exemption and cultural resolutions clear the floor

The Tennessee House completed a slate of confirmations, statutory updates and ceremonial measures during its March 4 session.

Leader Camper moved and the House concurred in a substitute (SJR 6-35) confirming Dewey Brandstetter Jr. to the Tennessee Ethics Commission; the Clerk recorded 92 yeas, 0 nays and 1 present not voting on the confirmation.

Chairman Clemens explained and led passage of Senate Bill 16-36, a measure adjusting fiduciary reporting requirements to require conservators to state the date of their last contact with the person under conservatorship on court financial accounting statements; members voted the bill to pass on third reading.

Chairman Hill moved passage of Senate Bill 18-93, a bill that exempts new mothers who are breastfeeding from jury duty if they provide a statement from a doctor or midwife. “What it would do, it would grant an exemption for from jury duty to new mothers who are breastfeeding. The mothers would have to have a statement from their doctor or midwife to be exempt, from serving,” Chairman Hill said. The bill passed with the constitution’s majority recorded on the floor.

Chairman Faison led passage of Senate Bill 18-85 designating February as Songwriters Month, noting Tennessee’s songwriting legacy and citing songs written in the state; members voiced broad support and the measure passed on third reading.

The House also withdrew certain joint resolutions from committee and adopted HJR 10-57 to call a joint convention to vote on judicial confirmations as described in the resolution. The Clerk reported routine messages from the Senate returning companion bills for further action and announced subcommittee calendar schedules.