House Continues To Swiftly Pass Quality Legislation

Last week, the Tennessee House of Representatives continued its growing trend of passing quality legislation quickly when the Legislature passed two important bills designed to help Tennesseans.

“I get asked a lot by folks about what is it I do up here in the Legislature,” said State Representative Stratton Bone. “What you saw this week was not flashy or exciting, it wasn’t something you read about on the front page, but the work we did this week on these bills is the nuts and bolts of what makes a successful state legislature.”

House Bill 3804 sponsored by Representative Les Winningham, authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services to respond immediately to federal funding changes in grant programs in order to maximize the availability of service to eligible persons. This measure increases the availability of low-income energy assistance to Tennessee citizens during these tough economic times.

“As our economic fell into a recession, and even now as we continue to move out of those dark times, there are families all across Tennessee who have needed a little help keeping the heat on,” said Bone. “This legislation means that state government will be quicker in responding to those types of needs and will not have as much red tape when it comes time to help.”

HB3804 passed the House unanimously and the Senate by a vote of 30-0-1. It now goes to Governor Bredesen for his signature.

House Bill 3270 sponsored by Representative Henry Fincher and co-sponsored with bipartisan support, is designed to expand the ability for local law enforcement to combat the issue of methamphetamines. Under the bill that passed unanimously in the House, unauthorized people who venture onto property that has been quarantined because of methamphetamine manufacturing can now be arrested for trespassing.

“While it is already a crime to attempt to live or use the property for living purposes, there was nothing stopping people from coming back and taking drug-making tools off the property,” said Bone. “This new law will allow law enforcement to have the tools they need to arrest those folks who attempt to go on quarantined property.”

HB3270 passed the House unanimously and is expected to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 9th. Legislation can be followed and committee meetings viewed online when in session at www.capitol.tn.gov by clicking on LEGISLATION and VIDEOS.