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House Republicans add ‘sunset’ provision to Lee’s charter schools’ authorizer bill

In this March 4, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his first State of the State Address in Nashville, Tenn. Lee won a Republican primary fight largely about who was toughest on immigration. But so far, an immigration crackdown isn't his focus. Lee's administration has opposed two immigration bills by Republican Rep. Bruce Griffey, though not on humanitarian grounds. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
In this March 4, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his first State of the State Address in Nashville, Tenn. Lee won a Republican primary fight largely about who was toughest on immigration. But so far, an immigration crackdown isn't his focus. Lee's administration has opposed two immigration bills by Republican Rep. Bruce Griffey, though not on humanitarian grounds. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) In this March 4, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his first State of the State Address in Nashville, Tenn. Lee won a Republican primary fight largely about who was toughest on immigration. But so far, an immigration crackdown isn't his focus. Lee's administration has opposed two immigration bills by Republican Rep. Bruce Griffey, though not on humanitarian grounds. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

By Andy Sher 3 min read

NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Lee’s controversial public school charter bill moved through the House Government Operations Committee Monday with a “positive” recommendation, but not before gaining a new amendment ensuring that Tennessee lawmakers can keep an eye on how it’s run.

The bill now has an official eight-year “sunset” or expiration date, routinely used by the General Assembly when creating new agencies to put an agency on a review cycle. That’s to ensure lawmakers maintain legislative oversight and the entity is running as envisioned.

Lee administration officials did not include the sunset provision in the new governor’s original bill, a fact pointed out last week by Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, the former chairman of the Senate’s Government Operations Committee.

Bell suggested at the time he would introduce a separate bill to put it on a review cycle.

But noting the omission in the bill on Monday, House Government Operations Committee Chairman Martin Daniel, R-Knoxville, told Lee legislative director Brent Easley that agencies “exist at the will of the Legislature,” and they typically have an eight-year cycle on them.