NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has issued his first veto since taking office in January 2019, rejecting a bill aimed at making it easier for the state Board of Parole to deny parole applications for certain offenders. The veto was announced on Monday and effectively nullifies the legislation, although the Republican-dominated Tennessee Legislature has the power to override the veto, provided they can muster the same level of support that initially passed the bill.
In his veto letter, Governor Lee expressed concerns that the proposed legislation would reverse a critical element of the Reentry Success Act, a law established in 2021 that he championed, which aims to lower recidivism rates. Lee stated that dismantling this provision would represent "a step backwards from safer Tennessee communities." He emphasized the necessity of addressing recidivism as a means to combat crime, noting that the original bill had received overwhelming bipartisan support, with only one dissenting vote.
Currently, the Board of Parole has the authority to deny parole for felony inmates based solely on the nature of the crime, which covers over 20 specific offenses, including serious crimes such as first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. The bill that Lee vetoed would have broadened the criteria for parole denial, allowing rejections regardless of the crime type, which Lee considered unnecessary given the existing safeguards.
Historically, Governor Lee has preferred methods other than vetoing to express his disapproval of legislation, often advocating for amendments or allowing bills to become law without his signature. His recent veto, however, occurs at a time when lawmakers are out of session, effectively stalling the bill's implementation for an extended period until they return in January. The timing of the veto also serves to leverage the governor's political influence to discourage an override.
A comparative example of Lee's reluctance to endorse legislation includes his decision regarding a 2019 bill that facilitated online sports betting—a measure he opposed due to its expansion of gambling in a state that prohibits casinos. Additionally, Lee refrained from signing a 2022 law that mandated serving full sentences for various felonies, stating that the supporting data lacked sufficient justification.
The sponsor of the vetoed bill, Representative Rick Scarbrough, a Republican from Oak Ridge, plans to seek a veto override in the upcoming legislative session. The proposal had garnered strong bipartisan support, passing with a vote of 75-16 in the House and 22-4 in the Senate—though only Democratic lawmakers voted against it. Scarbrough expressed both surprise and disappointment with the governor's veto, asserting that the legislation was designed to address significant gaps in the parole system, thereby enhancing public safety and reinforcing confidence in how serious offenses are handled.
The bill had received backing from the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, with its executive director, former district attorney Stephen Crump, arguing in March that the parole board should be given greater discretion in dealing with serious offenses currently excluded from the law.
