This week, Rep. Eric Watson rolled a controversial bill for one week requiring all drivers’ license tests be conducted in English. The bill, (HB 262) scheduled for House Public Roads Subcommittee, has stirred much controversy in the halls of the Legislature. The Chamber and many other organizations are opposed to this bill and have been working on a compromise measure. The Chamber is opposed because the bill does not allow for legitimate, documented foreign workers with work visas to take drivers’ license tests in their native languages. Tennessee has diverse companies and a diverse workforce and needs a method for individuals to take the tests in their native languages. Legislators have expressed concern that drivers will not be able to read English road signs. The Tennessee Department of Safety has stated in testimony that, while written examinations are offered in different languages, all road signs in the test appear only in English, exactly as they appear on Tennessee roadsides. Officials also point out that special accommodations are allowed for those who cannot read at all to take the test and that applicants who still want the tests will have to use translation dictionaries to do so. If you are concerned that this bill is bad public policy, please contact members of the Public Safety subcommittee.
Update: Guns in Parking Lots
The Chamber has learned that hearings on all the “guns in business parking lots” bills is scheduled for March 10 at 11:00 CST in the House Criminal Practice Subcommittee. Please remember, both location and meeting times are subject to change. Last year, freshman Josh Evans (R-Springfield) took HB 1395 off notice after extensive business lobbying against the measure. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been working hard to push these measures, which limit the private property rights of business owners. Legislators have noted the NRA has targeted Tennessee as a priority state to pass the anti-business measures. A special thanks goes out Chamber members FedEx, Bridgestone, and CSX transportation and others who testified against these measures last year. New bills have been filed this year, including HB 3141 by *McDonald ( *SB 3009 by *Jackson) which prevents employers from prohibiting employees who possess a handgun carry permit from transporting and storing a firearm out of sight in a locked vehicle on any property set aside for vehicles. It further prohibits an employer from terminating, demoting, or otherwise discriminating against such employees. Please let Bradley Jackson at the Tennessee Chamber know if you or your business is willing to testify about these anti-business gun measures.
Service of Process Bill Stalled in Senate Judiciary
Pending Business Friendly Amendments
This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee debated and eventually rolled bill for two weeks a bill which would have required all businesses to play a more active role in assisting those wanting to serve warrants on their employees. SB 2917 by *Burchett ( *HB 2951 by *Brooks H) changes state law to say that refusing to accept a legal writ or other process attempting to be served by a public employee or private process server constitutes obstruction of the service of process. The Tennessee Chamber is opposed to this legislation because it places additional burden and safety concerns on private businesses.. Committee members Senator Jim Kyle, Senator Mike Faulk and Senator Dewayne Bunch echoed the Tennessee Chamber concerns and noted that placing additional burdens on private business to facilitate this process could be dangerous and violate health and safety rules. The bill was rolled two weeks by Senator Burchett so members could work on an acceptable compromise that will not hurt businesses.
Senate Committee Action
Deals Anti-Business Blow to Regulatory Boards
Regulation is one thing that is certain for all businesses. The Tennessee Chamber, through the years, has worked to ensure that businesses – as the regulated community – have a strong voice in the regulatory process. On the environmental regulatory side, that has included ensuring that members of the regulated community – with specific and technical expertise – are represented on these important regulatory boards.
In 2010, all Environmental Regulatory Boards are on a routine Sunset schedule. The sunset process happens to every entity, no matter how large or small, in order for the legislature to provide appropriate review. The legislature must approve the continuation of these boards.
While the Solid Waste Disposal Control Board, Underground Storage Tank Board, Water Pollution Control Board, and the Ground Water Management Board passed the Senate without any amendments, the Air Pollution Control Board was caught up by some Senators wanting change the appointments to the bill. Currently, key stakeholder groups – including the Tennessee Chamber – have the responsibility to present nominees to the Governor for appointment to the board. Such a system ensure that broad interests are represented on the board and that the technical expertise to make key decisions is also available. SB 2949, as amended, by the Senate Government Operations Committee, would remove the existing seven (7) lists from various organizations, including two from the Chamber. The Chamber is adamantly opposed to this action by the Senate for a number of reasons.
The Air Pollution Control Board (and not dissimilar from the other environmental regulatory boards) has very technical and scientific-based responsibilities for regulating emission sources to maintain delegation of the Air Pollution Control Program from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. It is absolutely critical that organizations like the Chamber have the opportunity to place members on this board with who are technically qualified and experienced. The nominees are responsible for regulations that can impact the economy and our environment. The technical regulations and enforcement must be based on the knowledge and real experience of what works inside the manufacturing facility or business to meet compliance requirement of permit holders.
It is important to note the current provisions of recommending names of qualified persons for appointment by the Governor has worked well for the past 20 to 30 years. This practice has existed without problems for the past four to six administrations. So why change it now? While the Senate Government Operations Committee members noted that in supporting the change the goal was to prohibit registered lobbyists and non-resident Tennesseans from serving on the boards, the fact is, there are no lobbyists currently serving on the environmental regulatory boards. The Chamber remains committed to the current system, which ensures that the regulated community – and other stakeholders – are properly represented on the board with qualified individuals who have technical expertise
Chairman Senator Bo Watson (R) Chattanooga hear our points and appropriately referred the bill from the Senate floor back to Calendar Committee, which will give us and our business partners an opportunity to work out a solution. Stay tuned as the issue is not over yet!!
Mark Your Calendar!
Premiere Business Meeting of the Year:
Tennessee Chamber’s 98th Annual Meeting: Register Now
It is less than two weeks until the 98th Tennessee Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Legislative Reception, Wednesday March 3 in Nashville! Are you registered?
Please join us for one of the premiere business meetings of the year when employers from across the state gather in Nashville to hear from elected officials and those who hope to be elected. The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Annual Meeting and Legislative Reception bring together those who provide jobs and fuel our economy with policymakers who create the business climate. It is a meeting for exchanging information and ideas, for building relationships and solutions.
Whether you are a CEO, plant manager, local Chamber executive, lobbyist or entrepreneur, if you are in business, then politics is your business! Gov. Bredesen has been invited to be our opening speaker at lunch. During the afternoon session, we will look at 2010 and what it means for you:
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The State of Economy: What can we expect in 2010? Is the economy recovering? When will it reach Tennessee? Get the information to map your strategy for this year.
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The Future of the State: Tennessee will elect a new governor and it will define the future of the state. All major gubernatorial candidates have been invited to talk to you and to answer your questions. You will get the information to decide who should lead our state.
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The State of General Assembly: House and Senate legislative leaders will discuss this extremely challenging year. They will tell you how they intend to pass a balanced budget and manage state services. You will learn whether they will be seeking new sources of revenue and how you – as a business and an employer – might fare.
The Annual meeting will close with a reception where you can meet and talk with key administration officials and elected officials. Mark your calendar today for March 3. We look forward to seeing you there. More information and registration can be found on the Chamber’s website under Calendar.
