NASHVILLE – State House Republicans on Thursday approved legislation stripping Tennessee cities’ appointed police oversight boards from exercising independent subpoena powers to investigate complaints against officers.
The vote on House Bill 658 was 66-26, with one member simply voting present. The Senate is working on a different version.
Democrats, including several from Nashville, where voters last year approved an oversight board with subpoena powers, objected to the bill. Several Republicans joined them.
Those speaking against the bill included Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, a Democrat who represents parts of the city of Chattanooga where council members are looking at implementing their own board. Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, spoke in favor of the restrictions.
The House bill among other things eliminates an oversight board’s ability to use subpoenas to compel production of documents and witnesses to appear before the panel.