MEMPHIS, Tenn. –The state House passed a bill this week that would make it tougher to remove, rename, or relocate memorials for historic figures on public property.
That includes statues and street names.
Exactly what the House Bill 2129/Senate Bill 2138 would mean for Memphis remains somewhat unclear.
“My philosophy on government is local control over local issues, but we’re going to deal with whatever’s passed and work with people. It just means more collaboration,” said Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.
The Tennessee Historic Preservation Act of 2016 takes a similar bill from 2013 a step further.
Removing a memorial, like a statue, would require 2/3 vote of the Tennessee Historical Commission, as opposed to the majority.
Strickland is not sure how the bill might affect efforts to relocate the monument to Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest away from Health Sciences Park.
The City Council voted in favor of removing the statue last year but still has not officially filed an application with the Tennessee Historical Commission.
The City Council’s attorney told WREG they are actively searching for a suitable location to the move the statue before filing the application.
“I think consensus can be reached if you find a good alternative place for that statue,” Strickland said.
A spokesperson for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Lee Millar, spoke with WREG over the phone Friday from Nashville and believes this legislation would not affect the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue.
“No, not at all, because it’s a headstone for a cemetery. General Forrest and Mrs. Forrest are buried underneath the statue, so it falls under Tennessee cemetery law,” Millar said.
During debate on the House floor, a war of words erupted between two Shelby County lawmakers, Democrat G.A. Hardaway and Republican Curry Todd.
The bill is on the Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for next week.