At least five Chattanooga-area state representatives say they support an effort to amend the Tennessee Constitution to protect the rights of hunters and fishermen.
The House is scheduled to vote on House Joint Resolution 108 this week. Three readings are required. The first reading took place today.
Prior to the vote Chattanoogan.com Outdoors e-mailed seven area representatives to ask, "how you will vote?'
Five of the seven replied promptly.
Rep. Vince Dean writes, "As this bill has been presented to me and after receiving calls about the bill, pending any information that might lead me to revisit my decision, I will be voting in favor of the Resolution, as long as no adverse amendments are added. Thanks for your inquiry."
Rep. Eric Watson said "I think it's a good House Joint Resolution. I'll vote 'yes' for it."
Rep. Gerald McCormick was very succinct writing, "For it. Thanks for asking."
At 5:34 pm (EDT) Rep. Jim Cobb wrote, "I voted for this HJR about 30 minutes ago. This was on 1st passage. Final vote will be later this week or next week. I will vote for it then as well."
Again very succinct, Rep. Floyd wrote, "I voted for it."
So far we've heard no response from Representatives Favors or Brown.
The bill is backed by the Tennessee Wildlife Federation that sent out one of its "Camo Coalition Alerts" to members asking that they contact their representatives on the matter.
The measure stalled out in the last legislative session following controversy over amendments suggested by the National Rifle Association. Click HERE for more information.
At one point NRA representatives said they would fight the TWF version because they felt it was too watered down. However the NRA opposition seems to have fizzled during this session.
Of course any constitutional amendment must pass the House and Senate with a two-thirds majority in two consecutive legislative sessions. And then it goes before the public for a vote.
Depend upon Chattanoogan.com Outdoors to keep you updated as the issue moves forward.