Lawmakers say Tennessee's top legal chief has voiced concerns about the legality of the state's abortion law, adding an extra layer of urgency among some Republicans to insert exemptions into one of the strictest bans in the country.

According to House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti advised lawmakers that proposed changes to the so-called trigger law would better protect it from court challenges. And Sen. Richard Briggs, who joined a recent teleconference with Skrmetti and lawmakers, said the attorney general has "concerns" about the existing law.