(The Center Square) – A bill that would dissolve a 61-year-old commission and place it under the Tennessee attorney general’s office took another step on Monday.

Senate Bill 861/House Bill 910 would move the Human Rights Commission’s duties to the attorney general’s office as of July 1.

Former Gov. Frank G. Clement created the independent commission in 1963, according to its 2023-24 annual report. A nine-member board oversees the commission, which not only investigates cases but also conducts education and outreach efforts.

Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, told the House Government Operations Committee on Monday that transferring the authority could put more teeth into civil rights investigations.

“I think if someone receives a letter or action that the attorney general is investigating their actions, I think that’s going to perk up some people,” Garrett said. “I think that’s going to make some people hopefully say, ‘What have I done to attract the attorney general of the state of Tennessee who has the authority to investigate claims that I might have been involved in?'”

Democrats have pushed against the bill.

“Independence matters,” said Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville. “Autonomy matters. From your answer its seems as if the HRC wasn’t doing something as far as getting behind and their authority wasn’t enough and we have to give it more authority and a letter coming from the AG’s office is going to give it more authority than it has now. I fundamentally disagree with that premise.”

The bill is not about an organization’s failures but about making it better, Garrett said.

Others are concerned about what happens to the cases, around 1,000, that would have to be resubmitted to the attorney general’s office.

“The time and resources spent on refiling cases would disproportionately affect the complainants and the businesses alike, causing unnecessary delay and confusion and disrupt the legal process for thousands of individuals relying on timely resolutions,” Muriel Nolen, the executive director of the commission during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 24.

The committee agreed to move the bill to the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee. The Senate version passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and was referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee.

(The Center Square) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said there are a lot of unknowns concerning a bill that would allow school districts to ban students who are illegally in the country.

Protestors have gathered outside the state capitol and packed committee rooms during debates of the bill, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, and in the House by Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland.

“To the specifics of the legislation before the General Assembly right now, it’s not finalized,” Lee said during a visit to Chattanooga this week. “They’re different versions of the bill, there are different amendments, there’s a lot unknown yet about where this is going to land. Until I know more about that, I can’t speak to the particulars of it.”

Lee said the Biden administration created a problem with illegal immigration.

“It leaves lawmakers with the challenges of addressing the mess that was created by that, including issues with overburdened school systems,” Lee said. “I think that is part of what you are seeing there.”

The 1982 Plyer vs. Doe ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court said U.S. public schools must allow children illegally in the country to attend unless “a substantial state interest is involved.”

William Mendoza of Knoxville said during a subcommittee meeting of the House Education Committee that he believes lawmakers are hoping to set a national precedent.

“I think we are wasting taxpayers money,” Mendoza said. “We have seen how this bill that is trying to be passed is just a game because they just want to bring it up all the way to the Supreme Court to be able to challenge it.”

The bill is on Tuesday’s calendar for the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee. It is assigned to the Government Operations Committee in the House.

Both chambers could vote next week on another piece of legislation addressing illegal immigration.

Sen. Majority Leader Jack Johnson and Rep. Lee Reeves, R-Franklin, are sponsoring a bill that negates out-of-state driver’s licenses for people illegally in the country. Those caught could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.

“The majority of states that issue licenses to illegal immigrants issue a distinctive license,” Johnson said. “The bill requires the Department of Safety to go through and create a list of these licenses. Those licenses will not be valid licenses here in the state of Tennessee.”

The bills have passed House and Senate committees.

Lawmakers agreed to a bill in a January special session that creates a Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division to act as a liaison with the Trump administration on immigration. The legislation also establishes a grant program for law enforcement agencies that participate in a federal immigration program that allows them to perform some immigration duties.

Local officials that support sanctuary cities could be charged with a Class E felony under a separate piece of legislation passed during the special session.