NASHVILLE--Legislation providing for school children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning in each classroom throughout Tennessee unanimously passed the Senate Wednesday.

Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), sponsor of the legislation in the Senate, said, "Our children deserve that same privilege that we have of reciting the pledge each day in the Senate and House. Rep. David Davis has passed this legislation in the House Subcommittee on Education and must now take the legislation on to the full House Education Committee."

Provision is made in the bill for teachers and students who object on religious or other grounds to stand quietly while the pledge is recited.

Senator Crowe noted: "Those who have fought for us have cared more about our liberty and freedom than they have their own lives. Our flag is a symbol of that sacrifice and strong spirit."

Republican Senators Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), Bobby Carter (R-Jackson), Ben Atchley (R-Knoxville), and Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) co-sponsor the measure.

The bill is SB 2599/HB 2549.
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Bills, Bills, Bills

All things considered: As of Thursday, April 18, the Senate has 3,230 Senate bills filed, while the House has 3,275 bills. Senate Joint Resolutions now number 693; House Joint Resolutions 862; Senate Resolutions 172; and House Resolutions 252. The Senate has used 84 legislative days out of the 90 allowed every two years under Article II, Section 23 of the Constitution for a regular session. The House has used 83 days. The Senate and the House plan to convene in sessions on Wednesday, April 24, at 1 p.m. The rest of the week is being devoted to committees that are still open for work on bills, budgets, and hearings.
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Senate Floor Actions
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Senate Judiciary Chairman Curtis Person (R-Memphis) moved HB 2907/SB 2954 through the Senate unanimously Wednesday to revise the laws regarding child custody and support. Essentially, HB 2907/SB 2954 provides a monthly notice to all obligees with all pertinent information that relates to current payments and arrears. Everyone, including non-AFDC individuals, will receive notice. The bill was necessary to bring the statutes into compliance with the recent Harp v. Metcalf decision.
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The Senate unanimously approved SB 790/HB 626 Wednesday to expand the use of dedicated funds in the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Fund for the treatment of individuals convicted of DUI by including those who violate probation due to an arrest for an additional DUI and indigent persons who are eligible to participate in state-approved drug court programs.
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The Senate unanimously approved HB 1767/SB 1201 Wednesday to revise voting laws regarding those who have moved or are in the process of moving to ensure that they are allowed to vote and are allowed to have their vote recorded in the proper precinct. They may vote either at the new voting location or at a centrally located voting site if one is set up by that county election commission.
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The Senate by a 24-9 vote approved SB 2161/HB 2242 Wednesday to revise the laws regarding the child care rating system to give day care centers an option of using accreditation as an alternative to the Report Card Assessment System under the Environmental Rating Scale.