Tennessee CapitolNASHVILLE, Tenn. - The state House and Senate have failed to agree on a method for rejecting the governor's nominations for judicial vacancies.
In one of the final acts of this year's legislative session on Wednesday night, the Senate voted 4-1 with 27 abstentions on the measure sponsored by Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown. That means the Legislature won't be able to act on the bill until next year.
Tennessee voters in November approved a constitutional amendment that included giving lawmakers the power to refuse gubernatorial appointments.
The 99-member House wanted to decide over appointments through a joint convention, but the 33-member Senate worried its power would be diluted by the lower chamber's votes.
The state's attorney general has said without a law, the Legislature gives up its right to refuse judicial nominees.