The joint Senate–House Government Operations Committee voted Jan. 27 to recommend a two‑year extension of the Professional Music Therapy Advisory Committee, giving time for gubernatorial appointments and for the new panel to adopt operating rules.

The committee’s sunset hearing covered the advisory committee created by Public Chapter 1010 of 2024 and made effective Jan. 1, 2025. Holt Witt, assistant commissioner for legislative affairs at the Tennessee Department of Health, told the committee “the governor's office is in the process of appointing members to that committee,” and that no rules or committee business yet existed because appointments were still pending.

The extension is the standard initial relief often granted to newly created entities to allow them to organize and complete required rulemaking before the statutory termination date. Senator Paul Rose moved to recommend a two‑year extension; the motion received a second and passed at the committee meeting after a Senate roll call and house voice vote in which “ayes” carried the recommendation.

Committee staff reminded members that only the education and general welfare joint subcommittee members would vote on any final action regarding the advisory committee following the hearing.

The extension preserves the statutory sunset termination date timeline and preserves the panel so it can complete initial organization, appointment of members and promulgation of rules. The committee did not receive public comment on this item.

The committee record shows staff from the Department of Health — including Holt Witt and Jennifer Putnam, assistant commissioner for health licensure and regulation — presented the update; legal counsel Doug Garrett explained the committee’s options under the Government Entity Review Law.