NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While defending the inherent risk of holding a special session, Gov. Bill Lee, speaker of the house says rules to address issues from pandemic.
Speaker Cameron Sexton said the special session, which starts next Monday, will help clear up some issues and help businesses navigate during the coronavirus outbreak.
Governor Lee has asked the House and Senate to take up three bills.
The first creates COVID-19 liability protections for businesses, educational organizations and healthcare groups from potential frivolous lawsuits.
However, opponents of the measure say it cripples the ability of seniors and their families to hold nursing homes accountable for coronavirus outbreaks.
"The governor's proposing to call us back to eliminate protections for seniors in nursing homes and to go after people who are standing up for civil rights. There is nothing good that's going to come out of this special session," said Representative Mike Stewart (D-Nashville).
However, Speaker Sexton said it wouldn't stop lawsuits from being filed for blatant and egregious violations.
"People will still be able to sue, but the bar will be gross negligence," he said.
The second bill would focus on telehealth. Speaker Sexton said the legislature was working on a bill this year that wasn't passed before the session ended.
The third bill expands penalties for people who commit violence, damage public property or tear down monuments during riots. A punishment for people who attack first responders was also added to the bill.
A house GOP spokesperson said it was in response to incidents like one that happened in the early morning hours of July 5. A crew of firefighters was bombarded by fireworks while responding to a call in Jackson Tennessee.
Rep. Stewart believes that bill is actually made to stifle protesters currently outside of the state capitol.
"All of that is just an effort to impose sanctions on those people standing up for civil rights. It's a terrible proposal and we don't need any new laws. We already have laws to protect our property and protect our citizens," said Stewart.
Speaker Sexton said he is in support of the peaceful protest and the law only clarifies the statute on illegal camping.
"It's not politically motivated. It's a way to protect public monuments. It's a way to protect public property from being vandalized," he said.
