Several bills that would weaken state vaccination requirements will be up for consideration when the state legislature convenes in January, the Daily Memphian reports. State law currently allows parents to refuse to vaccinate their children for religious beliefs or practices, as long as the state is “in the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat of an epidemic.” HB0010/SB0007 sponsored by Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, and Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, would eliminate the “pandemic clause,” allowing parents to forego having their children vaccinated against COVID-19. HB0013 from Rep. Bud Hensley, R-Kingsport, would prevent state or local authorities from “forcing, requiring, or coercing” a person to get a COVID-19 vaccine against their will. House Education Committee Chairm Mark White, R-Memphis, says he is conflicted about the issues and plans to hear from medical experts when considering the bills. “We need to have some hard discussions and be thoughtful about this. I think we’re going to have to do a lot of listening,” he said.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture announced last week that former Republican Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden has been appointed to serve as the department’s director of business development, the Associated Press reports. In this role, Holt will support economic development initiatives and the expansion of the agriculture and forestry industries. Holt served in the state House from 2010 until this year. He was an Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee chair and spent time as chair of the Budget Subcommittee when Rep. Glen Casada was House speaker. Holt and his wife own and run Holt Family Farms agritourism and livestock operation in Dresden.

The TBA is experiencing intermittent phone issues due to the explosion in Nashville on Christmas morning. If you are unable to reach a TBA staff member by phone, you can direct your questions to email@tnbar.org. The TBA's online CLE platform has also experienced some technical delays. Staff members are working with providers and support teams to improve performance.

Computer networks, telephone and email services have been disrupted at the Nashville Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Courts, several boards and commissions and Davidson County courts due to the explosion in Nashville on Christmas day. The following is an update from the AOC as of Monday morning:

• The Nashville Supreme Court Building, including the Appellate Clerk’s Office, is closed through Dec. 28 while emergency services are restored and tested. All methods of filing will still be available, including the drop box located outside of the building, e-filing, fax filing, U.S. mail and commercial delivery services. Questions can be directed to the Appellate Court Clerk offices in Jackson at 731-423-5840, or Knoxville at 865-594-6700
   
• All three clerk offices are open, but there are phone and elevator issues in the buildings. To enter the Circuit Court Clerk or Chancery Clerk and Master, enter the Historic Courthouse on James Robertson Parkway only. After entry, a guard will take you to the clerk office. The Criminal Court Clerk in the Justice A.A. Birch Building is open. 
   
• The tncourts.gov website and email addresses with a tncourts.gov domain have been restored, but emails sent on Christmas day or after may have been delayed, mis-timestamped or made inaccessible on smartphones
   
• The AOC’s physical office is closed for the week, with staff working remotely. Technology staff may be on hand to work on servers and systems. Phone lines into the AOC have not yet been restored, but email is working
   
• The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program offices are located in the blast zone and received heavy damage. The physical office is closed. The website and email are functioning. Email sent between Friday morning and late Sunday may be delayed, mis-timestamped or made inaccessible on smartphones. The phone lines are not currently working. If you have an emergency, please call this cell number: 615-393-2985
   
• The Board of Law Examiners will be open, with email and website capabilities. Phone lines to BLE have not yet been restored
   
• The Board of Professional Responsibility is expected to be open and functioning as planned
   
• Many of the Davidson County court offices are located within, or just north of, the blast zone. They are on a pre-planned reduced schedule this week. The court clerk offices are scheduled to open today, but may have limited phone and email capabilities
   
• The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims is experiencing a disruption in normal phone service. For this week only, settlement call-in numbers for the Nashville judges are as follows: Judge Josh Baker, 423-634-0163; Chief Judge Kenneth Switzer, 855-543-5041. All attorneys with approvals this week must contact the injured workers to convey this temporary change in plans. Bureau staff will be contacting the attorneys by phone or email as well
   
• As of Tuesday afternoon, phone lines at the Davidson County District Attorney's Office are down 

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has referred two applicants to Gov. Bill Lee, the Administrative Office of the Courts announced today. They are Walter L. Evans II and Scott A. Frick. The commission began accepting applications for a vacancy on Dec. 8. As of the Dec. 22 deadline just two candidates had applied. The commission reports that because it is unable to provide the governor with three names, the governor may fill the vacancy with any person who is qualified to serve as a chancellor in the 30th Judicial District. Read the commission’s letter to the governor and access candidate profiles on the AOC website.

“Most of 2020 has felt like a bad Jerry Springer episode. Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does. Most of us have aged about a decade in the past nine months, but the vaccine is here, and hope for a better 2021 is on the horizon.” But, Springer’s advice to “take care of yourself … and each other” may just be the key to success in 2021, writes James Goodnow, CEO and managing partner of Fennemore Craig. In a recent article in Above the Law, Goodnow looks back at New Year’s resolutions made at the beginning of 2020 and how the pandemic has affected his goals. His take away? Listening to others, maintaining important relationships and practicing self-care are all more important than ever.

The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims announced yesterday that it will continue with telephonic settlement approvals through March 2021.

The American Bar Association is accepting nominations for the Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access through Jan. 8, 2021. The award is presented annually to programs and projects that “advance access to legal services for those of moderate incomes in ways that are exemplary and replicable.” Last year, awards were given to legal services programs, moderate-income referral services and “modest means” directories. Self-nominations are welcome. For more information email Sarah Glassmeyer.

Baker Donelson has appointed Ashley Gibson to serve as pro bono committee chair for its Chattanooga office, the Hamilton County Herald reports. In this role, Gibson will work to identify and address local pro bono needs while coordinating with colleague Samuel Bowman on global pro bono initiatives. Gibson handles business litigation matters, is on the board of the Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women, and is a past president and current board member at-large with the Southeast Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women.

The Williamson County Juvenile Court is once again bringing some holiday joy to families that have contact with the juvenile court system, the Tennessean reports. The court’s Operation Santa program, now in its third year, is providing Christmas gifts for 34 families, including 92 children, through the help of family sponsors and area businesses. Recipients, many of whom face legal issues such as drug addiction, neglect and family disputes, are provided with items such as toiletries, bedding, clothing and toys. Juvenile Court Judge Sharon Guffee thanked the community for its support.