NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee House has passed a bill to limit community oversight boards that investigate police misconduct.
The 66-26 vote Thursday creates discord with the Senate, where a committee has voted to let oversight boards keep subpoena power if a judge approves. The House's version removes subpoena power, among other changes.
Nashville voters approved a new oversight board in November. Some of the city's Democratic lawmakers argued the legislature wants to overturn the will of voters.
Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Michael Curcio said the bill establishes needed guardrails for the boards.
Knoxville has a similar board that hasn't used its subpoena power. Memphis' oversight board does not have subpoena power.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee supports stripping subpoena power from the panels.
The bill is ready for a Senate floor vote.