Gov. Bill Lee announced Monday that $200 million in grants will be distributed across the state to every county and city government for one-time, local expenses, AP News reports. At least $500,000 will be given to each county, and each city or municipality will receive at least $30,000. The grant money can be spent on certain tornado recovery and COVID-19 response costs, road projects, IT upgrades, capital maintenance, utility system upgrades and public safety projects. Lee’s office will begin accepting applications for the grants on April 30.

A coalition of statewide organizations are urging Gov. Bill Lee to roll back certain state laws so that local officials can meet the needs of residents during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tennessean reports. The organizations, which include the Tennessee Justice Center, Stand Up Nashville, Memphis For All and others, wrote an open letter on Monday asking Lee to use emergency powers to suspend laws that limit localities from requiring employers to provide paid sick days and repeal anti-sanctuary cities measures to ensure immigrants feel safe getting medical treatment. The coalition argues that local governments must have “every tool in the toolbox” to meet the needs of the community during the state of emergency. The group is also looking to expand property tax freeze eligibility and to allow “inclusionary zoning” polices to make housing affordable and provide incentives for new affordable units as some cities rebuild from the March 3 tornadoes.   

The TBA today sent Tennessee attorneys a survey to learn about their needs during the current coronavirus pandemic. "We are working with the courts and other institutions to ensure lawyers are able to continue their work and serve their clients during this difficult time," TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson said. Attorneys can respond anonymously at https://www.tba.org/Pandemic_Survey

Joe Christian, assistant director of the University of Tennessee College of Law’s Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, has been elected to the nominating committee of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP). During his one-year term on the committee, Christian will represent Southeast universities through his service on the 11-member nominating committee that will select the organization’s next group of leaders. Christian is the career center’s primary employer liaison, developing and maintaining relationships with employers nationwide and coordinating all student and employer functions related to formal interview opportunities. Read more on the College of Law’s website.  

Gov. Bill Lee has signed several election law bills passed by state lawmakers just before they recessed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, WRCBtv reports. Lee signed off on changes that eliminate fines for submitting too many incomplete voter registration forms and remove the misdemeanor penalties for not completing certain administrative requirements. Several groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, filed suit over the voter registration laws last year and a federal judge blocked the news laws from taking effect. Another change that Lee signed allows use of emergency supersites if polling places are rendered unusable. That change came largely in response to Super Tuesday tornadoes. Efforts to expand absentee voting during the pandemic were defeated.

Join Chattanooga attorneys Donna Mikel and Doug Hamill tomorrow for a Zoom Q&A roundtable follow up to their CLE webcast on employment law during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mikel and Hamill will answer questions about the CLE, which included topics like the Families First Act, paid leave rights and more. The roundtable is limited to the first 50 registrants and will begin tomorrow at noon CDT. Register for the meeting and you will receive an email with information on how to access the roundtable. Participants may also submit questions here. 

The Knoxville Family Justice Center, a non-profit serving domestic violence and sexual assault victims, has begun sending “safety cards” to businesses to include in curbside pickups, WBIR reports. The cards are intended for those who do not feel safe at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and include helpline numbers and links to the justice center’s website where safety plans are available. Businesses local to Knoxville and interested in safety cards can send an email to info@FJCknoxville.org or call 865-521-6336 for more information.

A Davidson County jail inmate has tested positive for the coronavirus, officials announced last week. The man is the first inmate in county custody to test positive for the virus, and was moved to isolation Wednesday after exhibiting symptoms, the Tennessean reports. The Nashville Public Defender’s office on Friday had filed a motion asking the Davidson County General Sessions Court to immediately release nonviolent inmates from custody to help slow the spread of the virus. Davidson County District Attorney General Glenn Funk said he does not support a wide release of inmates, preferring instead to review individual situations on a case by case basis. In related news, the Tennessean reported over the weekend that the state prison system also now has its first inmate testing positive for the virus. A spokesperson with the Tennessee Department of Correction confirmed the inmate is a male at the Turney Center Industrial Complex in Hickman County.

Gov. Bill Lee has issued Executive Order 24 declaring that a state of emergency continues to exist in Tennessee, extending a number of statutory and regulatory deadlines, and suspending a number of laws. Among the changes, Lee extended the due date of the professional privilege tax from June 1 to July 1. The state Department of Revenue has issued guidance on the change saying that interest and late filing penalties will not apply to returns filed and payments made on or before the new due date. View the notice or visit the department’s COVID-19 website for more information.

Among its other provisions, the governor’s order extends application of the Tennessee Price-Gouging Act of 2002 for an additional 15 days to April 18; eases licensing requirements for those who have completed a master’s or doctoral degree in behavioral or mental health; extends the expiration date of valid marriage licenses until June 30; extends the filing date for conflict of interest forms to July 15; and replaces language in the March 19 executive order allowing state agencies to implement processes to safeguard the health, welfare, and safety of certain employees.

Oral arguments conducted by video conference last Wednesday by the Tennessee Supreme Court are now  available on the court’s oral argument videos webpage. This is the first time in history for the new approach, which is part of the court’s efforts to continue conducting essential business across the state while protecting the health and well-being of litigants, attorneys, judges and court employees.