A house panel voted to advance a bill that would abolish the state human rights commission over objections from some Democrats that the legislation could jeopardize the rights of Tennesseans to seek justice for their discrimination claims.
The proposed legislation ( house bill 910/senate bill 861) by Sen. John Stevens of Huntingdon and Rep. Johnny Garrett of Goodlettsville, both Republicans, would transfer the nonpartisan commission’s responsibilities to the office of the attorney general in a newly-created civil rights enforcement division.
Democrats on the panel questioned the need to dismantle the 60-year-old, independent commission responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in employment, housing and public accommodations — including investigations into claims of discrimination made against the state of Tennessee — and shift its responsibilities to Jonathan Skrmetti, who, as attorney general, has aggressively used the power of his office to champion conservative causes.
“I do have a concern with this attorney general making political decisions rather than legal decisions and — to the extent that threatens the civil rights of the citizens of Tennessee — I think we need to take a very, very careful look at that,” said Rep. John Ray Clemmons, a Nashville Democrat.
(READ MORE: Bill to abolish discrimination watchdog agency advances in Tennessee legislature)