Tennessee's special legislative session on public safety: What to know

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has called a special legislative session focused on public safety and mental health later this month.

The decision to bring back lawmakers follows the deadly shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, where six people died, including three children.

Lee first vowed to call lawmakers back following the conclusion of the Tennessee General Assembly's regular session in April, after lawmakers decided not to debate a proposal by Lee that would allow the courts to remove firearms from those considered a danger to themselves or others.

Here's what to know about the upcoming session.

When will the special session begin?

The special legislative session is scheduled to gavel in for business on Aug. 21, 2023 at 4 p.m. CT.

How long will the session last?

That's up to the legislature. Recent special sessions have usually lasted about a week, though lawmakers could opt to remain at the Capitol for as long as they choose.

How does the legislature work on a condensed timeline?

All bills are required to be considered on the chamber floor three times before they can be passed. Senate rules require each bill to be considered in its assigned committee, and if it exceeds a certain spending threshold, also be considered by the Senate Finance Committee.

The House committee system also includes subcommittees, requiring bills to be considered by up to five committees before reaching the House floor.

Special session reaction: Why Covenant School families say special session is 'positive step' but hope for more

During a regular session, chamber rules lay out requirements for certain notice to be given before bills can be considered in their assigned committees.

During special sessions, certain rules are suspended to allow committees to take up bills for immediate consideration — a method referred to as "flow-motion." In that way, bills could be considered first on Monday, again Tuesday morning, go through committees as early as Tuesday afternoon, and be on the chamber floors by Thursday or Friday.

What kinds of bills can lawmakers file? Why aren’t we seeing more proposals on gun control?

Lee's proclamation calling the special session lays out the specific topics that lawmakers can consider.

While the call includes a wide range of topics related to crime, juvenile offenders, mental health, and law enforcement, just two pertain to guns specifically.

One would allow lawmakers to create incentives, but not punishments, for safe gun storage. The other would allow a lawmaker to file a proposal similar to one Lee made in April aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

What is going on with the extreme risk protection order, or what some call a red-flag law, that we've heard a lot about?

Lee proposed language for a law to establish temporary mental health protection orders, allowing courts to order guns to be confiscated from individuals determined to pose a risk to themselves or others after a court hearing and mental health evaluation. Throughout the summer, gun rights groups and gun reform advocates have lobbied extensively against and for it.

Lee's parameters for what bills can be considered during the special session do allow for a proposal specifically like what he had made in April to be considered.

However, according to the governor's news release outlining his planned legislative agenda, he will not offer that bill. The door is open for other lawmakers to propose it, but there is little support for the measure — only seven lawmakers have publicly shared their support.

How can I attend or view session meetings?

The state Capitol and Cordell Hull State Legislative Office Building, where committee meetings are held, are open to the public and have public galleries for spectators. Both have security protocols, and no weapons are allowed. Signs larger than 8.5" by 11", and any signs on sticks are also prohibited inside both buildings.

If you'd rather watch from home, all official legislative business is streamed on the legislature's website at capitol.tn.gov.

Reach reporter Vivian Jones at vjones@tennessean.com, or on X and Threads at @Vivian_E_Jones.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's special legislative session on public safety: What to know