by Matt Kroplin, Hosue Democratic Press Secretary
posted March 11, 2004
Administration Bills Moving Through Committees
This week, many of the Governor's Administration Bills began their journey through the various committees.
House Democrats, sharing in Governor Bredesen's vision for Tennessee, are proud to be the sponsors of these pieces of legislation. From consumer protection to homeland security to children safety, the Governor has crafted an aggressive legislative package and has turned to the House Democrats to lead the way.
"It's an honor working with the Democratic Caucus to once again accomplish good things for the people of Tennessee," Governor Bredesen said. "As part of our continuing effort to restore the state to sound financial footing, we remain focused on a fiscally responsible budget. We're also concentrating on positive change through TennCare reform, which will allow us to renew our investments in vital priorities such as education and economic development."
The House Democratic Caucus is pleased to partner with Governor Bredesen in working to make this great state even greater. Thanks to Governor Bredesen and the House Leadership, Tennessee is back on the right track. Over the past few sessions, we have continued to tighten our fiscal belt while still funding those programs Tennesseans have said are important to them.
The following is not an exhaustive list; however, in an effort to keep you informed, we are providing the following list of bills in Governor Bredesen's Legislative Package that were moved this week.
HB 3489 / SB 3408 by Representative Shepard would expand the ability of nurses and nurse practitioners to offer fluoride to undeserved people in county or municipal public health clinics. Governor Bredesen was recently heard quoted as saying he felt fluoridation was quite possibly, "The most successful public health program ever." It was heard in the Professional Occupations Subcommittee this week and referred to the full Health Committee.
HB 3539 / SB 3455 by Representative Fitzhugh is the administration's bill to combat the issue of predatory lending. The Comptroller of the United States recently ruled that states were limited in their ability to regulate lending, but the House Leadership and Governor Bredesen have been committed to helping those being preyed upon by high interest rates. It was heard in the Utilities and Banking Subcommittee on Tuesday and referred to the full Commerce Committee.
HB 3541 / SB 3451 by Representative Sontany requires that guardians and non-attorney child advocates receive training so that they can better serve the child and provide guidance during the judicial process. It is scheduled in the Judicial Administration Subcommittee next week.
HB 3528 / SB 3426 by Representative West gives the Commissioner of Safety the ability to commission homeland security officers as peace officers. Constitutional Protections Subcommittee heard the legislation on Tuesday and referred it to the full Judiciary Committee.
HB 3494 / SB 3411 by Rep. Yokley requires that the Commissioner of Environment and Conservation or her designee serve on the Great Smokey Mountains Park Commission. The National Park extends into Cocke County, the area that Rep. Yokley serves. It was heard in Parks and Tourism Subcommittee on Wednesday and referred to the full Conservation and Environment Committee.
HB 3500 / SB 3407 by Speakers DeBerry and Turner codifies the Office of Minority Health which was created by Executive Order in 1994. Both the Speaker Pro Temp and the Deputy Speaker have been very involved in development of organizations and coalitions committed to providing healthcare to undeserved urban minority areas. It was reviewed in the Government Operations this week and referred to Health.
HB 3497 / SB 3414 by Representatives Hood and Coleman designates Manus Road Cedar Glade in Rutherford County as a Class II Natural-Scientific Area. It was heard in the Parks and Tourism Subcommittee and referred to the full Conservation and Environment Committee.
HB 2754 by Rep. Vaughn requires employers to give employees ten days notice prior to terminating benefits and to give the Commissioner of Labor concurrent notice if termination affects 50 or more employees. This legislation was referred to the committee on Calendar & Rules.
HB 2830 by Rep. Hood, in its original form, required private and state-employed fire prevention and building officials to be certified by the state fire marshal, such certification currently required of municipal and county officials. An amendment removes private officials from the requirements of the bill and states that certification of stateemployed fire prevention and building inspectors shall not be required before January 1, 2005. The amendment also removes the grandfather clause for certain experienced municipal and county officials. This legislation was referred to the full Finance, Ways & Means Committee.
HB 3066 by Rep. Winingham allows a child receiving tuition discount based on parent being a teacher to continue to receive such if the parent dies while the child is a student. This legislation was referred to the committee on Calendar & Rules.
HB 2437 by Rep. Litz renames the University of Tennessee agricultural extension service to the "University of Tennessee extension". This bill was amended to read that no funds beyond those currently budgeted shall be spent for replacement of signs, letterhead, and business cards. This legislation was referred to the committee on Calendar & Rules.
HB 2691 by Rep. Curtiss makes step-children of POWs, MIAs or veterans killed in action eligible for a waiver of tuition and fees at public higher education institutions in the state. This legislation was referred to the committee on Calendar & Rules.
HB 554 by Reps. Armstrong, Tindell, McMillan, Head, as amended, authorizes the Commissioner of Health, in conjunction with the Tennessee Health Care Association, the Tennessee Disability Coalition and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, to develop a demonstration project in one nursing home to confirm the value of disabled volunteers in long-term care facilities. The effectiveness of such project is to be reported to the Senate and House Health and Human Resources Committees no later than March 1, 2006. This legislation was referred to the committee on Calendar & Rules.
HB 2884 by Rep. Coleman, as amended, creates an offense for a person to knowingly operate an audiovisual recording function of a device where a motion picture is being exhibited for the purpose of recording a theatrical motion picture without the consent of the owner or the lessee of such facility and the licensor of the motion picture. It also clarifies that the operator of a motion picture facility, licensor of a motion picture, merchant, or law enforcement officer would not be criminally or civilly liable for any legal action relating to the detention, questioning, or arrest of an individual who unlawfully records a motion picture if (1) there is probable cause to suspect that the person committed or is attempting to commit a violation; (2) such individuals act reasonably under the circumstances; and (3) the suspect is detained for a reasonable period of time. The violation would be punishable as a Class A misdemeanor. Monday's floor calendar.
HB 2343 by Rep. Ferguson, as amended, establishes the "Elder Protection Act of 2004." This bill provides standards for detaining individuals who are charged with elder abuse. Also, this bill addresses issues related to financial institutions that act as trustees. Furthermore, this bill requires doctor offices, health care facilities, senior centers, community centers, and pharmacies to post contact information for reporting elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This legislation was referred to the Finance, Ways & Means Committee.
HB 2271 by Rep. J. DeBerry, as amended, revises the present law related to theft of trademarks or logos. This bill revises the definition of intellectual property. Also, this bill decreases the number of counterfeit items that must be in the counterfeiter's possession to show intent to sell or distribute such items. Under this bill, the punishment for selling counterfeit items would be punishable as theft and graded according to the law. Under present law, offenders are punished by fine only. This legislation was referred to the Finance, Ways & Means Committee.
HB 2326 by Rep. McDonald, as amended, prohibits excessive amplification of sound from a motor vehicle that is in use or occupied on a public street, highway, alley, parking lot, or driveway. Such conduct would be punishable as a Class C misdemeanor when the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more from the vehicle. The misdemeanant would pay a fine of up to $50.00. Essentially, this bill applies to noise complaints in rural areas. This legislation was referred to the committee on Calendar & Rules.
Streaming Video Update
As you know, the House Democratic Caucus has over the past four years established the goal of making the daily Sessions of the Tennessee General Assembly as open and accessible as possible to citizens across the state.
It has been a Caucus goal to make our Sessions and Budget Hearings as open and accessible as possible. From anywhere across the state, you can now watch us live from your computer. If you cannot come to Nashville to watch in person, you can do so from the comforts of your own home.
And because we understand many Tennesseans have busy schedules and will not be able to watch live, we will also be storing the Sessions and Hearings in the archives for a short while each week so you can watch them at your convenience.
Currently on the Tennessee Legislature's web site, a visitor can access: live video feed during session, hearings or committee times; archives of the previous week's sessions and committees; and complete archives of the House Finance Committee's Budget Hearings.
To view live and archived video feeds, as well as to access a weekly schedule, please go to the legislature's web site at www.legislature.state.tn.us, then click on House and Video Streaming.
Under the House heading, you can also view information on members, committees and House publications-–including the House Journal which includes votes on prior legislation.
This program is an extension of giving more people access to state government. For those who cannot travel to Nashville or come to the Chamber for Session, this is an additional method to encourage the citizens of Tennessee to participate in the daily operations of government.
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