Votes at a glance: key actions from the Senate Judiciary Committee The committee approved multiple bills for the calendar or finance committees, including caps on non‑economic damages in specified maternal‑injury suits, correctional formulary changes, organized retail theft penalties and several criminal‑justice and probate updates; one high‑profile land‑use bill was rolled for revision.

The Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee has made significant moves, from capping non-economic damages in maternal negligence claims to increasing penalties for organized retail theft—what's next on the agenda?

Click to read more!

#TN #TennesseeJudiciary #CitizenPortal #MaternalHealth

Tennessee lawmakers confirm three judges to state Supreme and appeals courts A March 5, 2026 joint convention of the Tennessee General Assembly confirmed Kyle Hixson to the Tennessee Supreme Court and Steve Maroney and William E. Phillips II to the Court of Appeals after roll-call votes in both chambers under Article VI, Section 3 of the state constitution.

Tennessee just confirmed three new judges, including Kyle Hixson to the Supreme Court—what does this mean for the state's future?

Click to read more!

#TN #CivicParticipation #JudicialConfirmation #TennesseeJudiciary #CitizenPortal #GovernmentTransparency

Judiciary committee gives positive recommendation to William E. Phillips II for Tennessee Court of Appeals The judiciary committee voted 17-0 with two members present but not voting to send Judge William E. Phillips II’s nomination for the Tennessee Court of Appeals (Eastern Section) to the full body for consideration after a confirmation hearing that included biographical review and questions about his trial experience and judicial approach.

Judge William E. Phillips II receives unanimous support from the judiciary committee as his nomination for the Tennessee Court of Appeals moves forward!

Click to read more!

#TN #CivicAccountability #LegalReform #TennesseeJudiciary #CitizenPortal #JudicialAppointments

Senate Judiciary Committee confirms appellate nominee, advances constitutional amendment and a slate of bills The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to confirm Judge William E. Phillips II for the Court of Appeals and moved a constitutional amendment and multiple bills to the calendar or finance committees, including measures on child-protection teams, a children's digital protection fund, guardian ad litem training, and trust-code updates.

The Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee has confirmed Judge William E. Phillips II for the Court of Appeals while advancing key bills aimed at enhancing child protection and election efficiency!

Click to read more!

#TN #TennesseeJudiciary #CitizenPortal #ElectionReform #ChildProtection

Tennessee Judiciary Committee gives positive recommendations to two appellate nominees The House Judiciary Committee recommended Chancellor Steve Maroney for the Court of Appeals (Western section) and Judge Kyle Hixson for the Tennessee Supreme Court after hearings that probed experience, judicial philosophy and ethics; both were favorably reported to the full body.

Tennessee’s House Judiciary Committee has given the green light to Chancellor Steve Maroney and Judge Kyle Hixson for key appellate positions, igniting discussions about their future impact on the state’s legal landscape.

Click to read more!

#TN #LegalReform #TennesseeJudiciary #CitizenPortal

Votes at a glance: Senate Judiciary advances confirmations, two bills and budgets to calendar/finance In a single session the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed two judicial nominees, advanced SB 14-95 (opioid settlement additions) and SB 16-40 (Safe Home program) to the committee calendar, and forwarded the Attorney General and AOC budgets to finance.

The Senate Judiciary Committee made waves by confirming two judges and advancing crucial bills aimed at tackling the opioid crisis and expanding support programs in Tennessee.

Click to read more!

#TN #TennesseeJudiciary #OpioidSettlement #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #JudicialReform

Tennessee Senate lets parties choose nominees for some judicial vacancies after missed primary deadline The Senate passed Senate Bill 367 with an amendment allowing political parties in multi-county judiciary districts to use caucuses to select nominees for vacancies that occur after the 180‑day primary-notice deadline or, if time permits, to hold a primary. Supporters said it protects voters; critics said notice and drafting were insufficient.

Tennessee's Senate just passed a pivotal bill allowing parties to choose nominees for judicial vacancies, sparking a heated debate on voter rights and legislative transparency.

Click to read more!

#TN #CivicAccountability #TennesseeJudiciary #ElectionReform #CitizenPortal #JudicialVacancies

Votes at a glance: Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee advances multiple bills, rejects county handgun-permit option The committee approved a slate of bills to the calendar, including a Holocaust remembrance resolution, codification and a set of public-safety and family-support measures; SB 43, which would let counties require handgun-carry permits, failed for lack of a constitutional majority.

Tennessee's Senate Judiciary Committee just advanced key bills on Holocaust remembrance, family support, and public safety, but a controversial handgun-permit option fell flat!

Read the full story

#TN #CivicAccountability #TennesseeJudiciary #CitizenPortal #ChildCare #PublicSafety

Appellate Court Hears Challenge to Post‑Conviction Relief Tied to Twitter Evidence in Jabril Lindsey Case At oral argument, defense counsel said Twitter posts the state used to show motive were older and lacked clear links to the victim; state attorneys defended trial counsel’s strategy of attacking authorship and authentication. The court took the appeal under advisement.

A Tennessee appellate court is questioning the validity of Twitter evidence used in a murder case, revealing that key posts may not even connect to the victim at all.

Read the full story

#TN #CitizenPortal #TennesseeJudiciary #CriminalJustice #SocialMediaEvidence #PostConvictionRelief

General Crump Explains Intent Standards in Felony Murder During State Hearing Crump clarifies felony murder intent requirements amid discussions on legal accountability.

Tennessee's Senate Judiciary Committee is diving deep into the complexities of felony murder laws, challenging the very foundations of intent in the justice system.

Click to read more!

#TN #CitizenPortal #JusticeReform #TennesseeJudiciary #CriminalLaw #LegalAccountability

Minnesota Revises Felony Murder Law Following Aiding and Abetting Task Force Report Minnesota updates felony murder law based on task force findings about disproportionate convictions.

Tennessee's Senate Judiciary Committee is diving into the controversial shifts in felony murder laws, revealing a trend towards reform that aims to ensure justice for all.

Learn more here!

#TN #CitizenPortal #JusticeReform #TennesseeJudiciary #LegalFairness #CivicAccountability

Tennessee Senate passes multiple bills including municipal judge residency and teacher evaluation reforms Senate approves key legislation on judge residency requirements and education assessments.

Tennessee lawmakers just passed crucial bills that could reshape the judiciary and education system—find out how these changes will impact your community!

Learn more here

#TN #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #PublicSafety #TennesseeJudiciary

Tennessee lawmakers address illegal abortion pill distribution with new wrongful death bill New Tennessee bill allows families to sue firms sending abortion pills violating state law

Tennessee lawmakers are tackling controversial bills that could reshape the landscape of reproductive rights and gender identity in the state.

Click to read more!

#TN #GenderIdentity #ReproductiveRights #CitizenPortal #LegalReform #TennesseeJudiciary

Tennessee Supreme Court ruling impacts municipal judgeship eligibility and voting rights restoration process Supreme Court redefines residency requirements for judges, complicating election and voting rights restoration.

A recent Tennessee Supreme Court ruling reshapes municipal judgeship eligibility, sparking a heated debate on voting rights restoration for individuals with felony convictions.

Learn more here

#TN #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #VotingRights #TennesseeJudiciary

Tennessee Senate approves cognitive behavioral training mandate for class A misdemeanor offenders Senate bill mandates cognitive training completion after incarceration for misdemeanor convictions.

Tennessee's Senate is shaking things up with new bills aimed at crime prevention and expungement, but will they get the support they need?

Click to read more!

#TN #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #PublicSafety #TennesseeJudiciary #CrimePrevention

Tennessee Senate confirms Judge Steven Sword to Court of Criminal Appeals Senate confirms Judge Steven Sword with 79 votes for and 10 against his appointment.

Tennessee's Senate overwhelmingly confirms Judge Steven Sword to the Court of Criminal Appeals, showcasing a rare moment of bipartisan unity!

Learn more here

#TN #CivicAccountability #LegislativeCollaboration #CitizenPortal #JudicialAppointments #TennesseeJudiciary

Tennessee House confirms Valerie Smith and Stephen Sword to Appeals Courts House confirms Valerie Smith to Tennessee Court of Appeals Western Section and Stephen Sword Eastern Section

Tennessee's judicial landscape shifts dramatically as Judge Valerie Smith secures her place on the Court of Appeals with overwhelming bipartisan support!

Click to read more!

#TN #CitizenPortal #JudicialAppointments #TennesseeJudiciary #BipartisanSupport #LegalPrecedents

House committee debates Judges Act of 2025 to address federal court vacancies Committee members discuss proposed Judges Act to create 66 new district court judgeships.

The U.S. House Committee is at a crossroads, debating a pivotal bill that could reshape the federal judiciary and address critical court vacancies.

Learn more here

#US #CourtAccess #TennesseeJudiciary #PoliticalAccountability #JudicialReform #CitizenPortal

Legislators discuss bail system's impact on public safety and profit motives Lawmakers debate bail bond regulations affecting public safety and industry profits.

Tennessee lawmakers are at a crossroads, debating whether bail reform can truly balance public safety with the profit motives of the bail industry.

Learn more here!

#TN #CriminalJustice #PublicSafety #BailReform #TennesseeJudiciary #CitizenPortal