A nonpartisan watchdog group has asked the U.S. House of Representatives' Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) to investigate Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, alleging more than $1 million of discrepancies in financial disclosures he filed with the House, reports News Channel 5. The Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed the complaint this week noting that Ogles claimed to have personally loaned $320,0000 to his 2022 campaign for Congress, but that his financial reports “do not disclose assets that would allow him to make this loan." The Hill says it reached out for Ogles for a comment.

Gov. Bill Lee is planning to unveil proposed legislation that addresses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music industry, reports the Nashville Business Journal. While current state law protects image and likeness, new protections would be more tailored to audio according to the Journal. Lee’s plan would update current law to include protections for songwriters', performers' and music industry professionals’ voices from the misuse of AI. A full announcement is expected Wednesday.

Join the TBA's Tort & Insurance Law Section on Feb. 13 for its annual forum, presented virtually this year. The three-hour general, one-hour dual CLE program will feature sessions on health care liability, how to read and understand medical reports, updates on the Anti-SLAPP statute and ethics. Get more info or register.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance is accepting public comments regarding the licensure of court reporters and the sunsetting of the Board of Court Reporting. Written comments will be accepted through Jan. 19 via this form or in person at a Jan. 11 meeting starting at 1 p.m. CST in Nashville. That event will take place at 500 James Robertson Pkwy., Davy Crockett Tower, Conference Room 1-B, Nashville 37243. Read more about the comment process and access a link to watch a livestream of the meeting. The department says that all comments will be shared in full with members of the Tennessee legislature's Government Operations Joint Subcommittee on Commerce, Labor, Transportation and Agriculture.

Tennessee lawmakers returned to the state Capitol Tuesday to kick off the 2024 legislative session at which lawmakers are expected to debate legislation related to education, taxes and abortion, among other issues. Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, the speaker pro tempore, presided over Tuesday's brief floor session leading praise for Sen. Art Swann, R-Maryville, who announced his planned retirement. Gov. Bill Lee's top priorities for the session include expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship Act across the state and reforming the state's franchise tax on businesses. On abortion, Democrats plan to continue efforts to weaken the state's restrictive abortion law. Read more about the new session.

Tennessee law firm Baker Donelson announced that Lang Wiseman, head of the firm’s public policy practice, and Jacob Baggett will lead the firm’s new emphasis on government relations, the Nashville Post reports. Wiseman returned to Baker Donelson in 2022 after working as deputy governor and chief counsel to Gov. Bill Lee. Baggett was hired as a public policy adviser after working as a senior public policy attorney at Bass, Berry & Sims. Wiseman announced that Baggett will serve as the firm’s "boots on the ground" at the Tennessee legislature. The Memphis-based firm, which has 22 offices in mostly southern states, plans to replicate its new emphasis on lobbying in other states.

Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Disney have formed the law firm of Shrum Disney & Associates, located at 54 Music Square East, Nashville 37203, reports the Nashville Post. Shrum, who will serve as CEO and managing partner, is a longtime Music Row attorney who also has taught entertainment law at Belmont University. Disney, who will serve as senior associate, has nearly four decades of experience in the music industry, having held positions in artist management, book publishing and at record labels. He also has taught at Belmont's Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. The boutique firm's practice includes intellectual property matters, endorsements, licensing and start-up work. According to the firm's website, clients include SESAC and GRAMMY winning songwriter Dan Penn.

The Shelby County Commission met this week and voted to send a proposal to recodify the Citizen Law Enforcement Review Committee (CLERC) to a fourth reading. The commission also approved a study to address low wage and retention rates among county employees, reports the Commercial Appeal. The study proposal was sponsored by Commissioner Erika Sugarmon, who said it will help the county stay competitive with other employers in the area. The last comprehensive wage study was conducted in 2017 according to the paper.

A story in Monday's issue of TBA Today incorrectly identified the office Larsen Jay is planning to seek. He will run for mayor of Knox County.

The Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation (TBWC) is seeking presenters for its 27th annual educational conference, set for June 12-14 in Murfreesboro. Topics sought include improving injury outcomes, cooperation between stakeholders and the quality and efficiency of the Tennessee workers' compensation system. Requests to present should be sent to tn.workcomp@tn.gov by April 1. Read more in the bureau's announcement.