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Tennessee legislature puts state watchdog agency under attorney general

Responsibility for investigation claims of discrimination, including from state agencies, will become the responsibility of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti after the legislature dissolved the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Responsibility for investigation claims of discrimination, including from state agencies, will become the responsibility of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti after the legislature dissolved the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Responsibility for investigation claims of discrimination, including from state agencies, will become the responsibility of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti after the legislature dissolved the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

By J. Holly McCall / Tennessee Lookout 2 min read


The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office could soon have the responsibility for investigating claims of discrimination by state agencies after the state Senate passed a measure dissolving the Human Rights Commission and moving operations to the AG’s office.

Senate Bill 861, sponsored by Huntingdon Republican Sen. John Stevens, passed Monday 27-6 on partisan lines. The House version, sponsored by Goodletsville Republican Rep. Johnny Garrett, passed Thursday. The bill would go next to the governor’s desk for his signature.

The 60-year-old commission is a nonpartisan and independent agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in employment, housing and public accommodation, as well as discrimination claims against the state of Tennessee.

The measure has drawn criticism from Democrats who say handing discrimination claims to Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sets up a “fox in the henhouse” scenario.