Senate Bill 6-55, a measure clarifying who may bring removal actions for public officials when a locally elected district attorney recuses, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and placed on the calendar by a 6-2 vote.

Sponsor Senator Stevens told the committee the bill adds language to explicitly allow a district attorney general to appoint another district attorney general or an assistant to conduct removal actions when necessary. “This has proven to be an issue in cases where locally elected district attorney has recused themselves,” Stevens said.

Nut graf: The bill aims to ensure removal proceedings can proceed when a local DA has a conflict. Committee members asked whether the District Attorneys General Conference had concerns; Steven Crump, executive director of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, said he had no objection to the concept.

Ending: The measure was seconded and received a roll-call vote that sent the bill to the Senate calendar; proponents said it functions as a procedural fix to allow prosecutions or removal actions to proceed where conflicts arise.