Legislation II

I'm cruising through newly filed legislation. If you've a hankering to do the same go to http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/MainIndex.aspx. Keep in mind that Tennessee has two year legislative sessions and that this 104th General Assembly is in its second year. So while there are some bills hanging on from last year the newer stuff started to be filed beginning with, it appears, the 2400's on the House side.< YES!

No Sex Selection Abortions:

*HB2466 by *Stanley.

Abortion - Prohibits abortion when the basis for the procedure is the projected sexual orientation of the fetus after birth. - Amends TCA Section 39-15-201.

I can't understand anyone, especially feminists, supporting the killing of a child based on their sex.

Finally! Plates for Iraqi Freedom veterans. It looked like every other veteren group was in the pipeline for this free token of appreciation.

*HB2488 by *Fraley.

Special License Plates - Authorizes a new specialty earmarked license plate for honorably discharged veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4.

and

*HB2490 by *Borchert, *Curtiss, *Shepard, *Shaw, *Maddox, *Litz, *Pinion, *Marrero, *Cooper B, *DeBerry J. (SB2669 by *Herron.)

Special License Plates - Creates new military license plate for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; reallocates revenue from sale of all military plates. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4.

Eminent Domain:

*HB2481 by *Sargent. (SB2549 by *Bryson.)

Eminent Domain - Prohibits the use of eminent domain solely or principally for economic development, increase of tax revenue, or expansion of tax bases and specifies the types of public uses for which eminent domain may be exercised. - Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 29.

I think this bill is worded better than the one just below. I like the use of the words "critical infrastructures", but I wouldn't include schools, hospitals, public buildings and parks in that category.

HB2473 by *Winningham, *Ferguson. (*SB2422 by *Kilby.)

Eminent Domain - Clarifies that eminent domain can only be exercised for public purposes; specifies what activities are deemed to be within the scope of public purposes. - Amends TCA Title 29. I'd like to see a lot more clarification of 'for the use of the State of Tennessee'.

HB2483 by *Sargent. (*SB2413 by *Woodson.)

Eminent Domain - Clarifies that the taking of land by eminent domain solely for the purpose of improving tax revenue, increasing tax base or economic development is not a legitimate "public use" within meaning of Article 1, § 21 of Tennessee Constitution and provides cause of action to challenge a proposed taking in such cases. - Amends TCA Title 29.

This last version has a lot of potential. I like that the burden of proof is on the government entity trying to exercise eminent domain. Perhaps these folks can manage to get one good bill out of these three.

WHY?

*HB2460 by *Hackworth, *Winningham. (SB2614 by *McNally.) Education - Encourages LEAs and schools to recycle; requires the department of education to provide recycling curriculum guidelines. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Why does the state legislature even need to do this? Do we still have unenlightened schools out there that are NOT encouraging recycling? And then, file this under 'outside the core mission' of public schools anyway.

NO.

Presumption at tax payer expense?

*HB2486 by *Turner M. (SB2576 by *Burchett.) Workers' Compensation - Establishes a conclusive presumption that a beryllium employee, employee with cancer or silicosis, or other employee covered under the federal Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act has an occupational disease for purposes of state workers' compensation claim...

I don't think so.

Bullying bill by Black Part II:

HB2470 by *Baird. (SB2687 by *Black.)

Teachers, Principals and School Personnel - Requires each LEA to adopt a policy addressing bullying of teachers by principals or administrators. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 5.

Senator Black addressed student bullying last year with the encouragement of a student and comes to the aid of the adults this go round. Don't we already have employment policies in place to cover these? The difference between the adults and the children in these situations is that adults aren't 'compelled' to attend these schools.