Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2021

Abstract

This symposium panel discussion, published in the Belmont Law Review, examines contemporary issues in Tennessee administrative law through the perspectives of an administrative law judge, a state agency general counsel, and an attorney from the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office

8BelmontLRev581 . The panel explores the evolving scope of judicial review, statutory deference to agency decision-making under the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA), and the practical implications of recent legislative changes expanding venue for judicial review. Panelists analyze the mechanics and challenges of state rulemaking, including executive oversight, Attorney General review for legality and constitutionality, legislative approval through the Government Operations Committee, and the use of emergency rules. The discussion also addresses adjudicatory structure within Tennessee’s central panel system, distinctions among contested case proceedings, common practitioner pitfalls in administrative hearings, and the interaction between agency policy and formal rulemaking requirements. Finally, the panel reflects on the operational impact of COVID-19 on administrative adjudication and enforcement, including the rapid transition to remote hearings and digital case management. Collectively, the discussion offers a practical and doctrinal overview of state-level administrative governance, emphasizing transparency, procedural rigor, and the dynamic relationship among agencies, courts, and regulated parties.

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