NASHVILLE -- A "tuition equality" bill that failed on the House floor earlier today is dead for the year with state lawmakers expected to adjourn either later tonight or on Thursday, officials said.
House Clerk Joe McCord said this afternoon that the bill, which failed on a 49-47 vote, has been sent back to the Calendar and Rules Committee. Rules say it must stay there for seven days unless two thirds of the House vote to suspend them, according to McCord.
That's unlikely.
Meanwhile, Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell explained to reporters this afternoon that she missed the vote because she had been called out to respond to a breaking news story that lawmakers plan to move from Legislative Plaza in 2017 and relocate to the Cordell Hull Building.
But Harwell said she would have voted no.
Asked why she would have voted no, Harwell said "it is a slippery slope that begins, and there are a lot of people who were naturally born here that are struggling to pay college tuitions. If we're going to do this for them, I do believe let's do away with out-of-state tuition altogether."
Two Democrats considered no votes were also missing on the vote, which culminated a three-year effort by Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, and immigrant advocates.
Noting Tennessee legislators are part-time, Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville, said he had a previous committment to a meeting set up by his employer.
Rep. Darren Jernigan, D-Nashville, had a previous committment to his private job as well, an aide said.
Previous report about the bill: