Tennessee Code Title 9. Public Finances § 9-4-209

(a) There is hereby created a fund or account, known as the “civil rights attorneys' fees awards account,” out of which federal court judgments awarding attorneys' fees in civil rights cases shall be paid where the state is liable for such judgments.

(b) The civil rights attorneys' fees awards account shall be a sum sufficient account, and there shall be appropriated each year an amount sufficient to pay all fee awards for which the state is liable.

(c) The civil rights attorneys' fees awards account shall be administered by the commissioner of finance and administration. Payments shall be made upon certification by the attorney general and reporter of the amount and liability of the state.