The pace quickened on Capitol Hill this week as committees considered a wide variety of bills and continued to review budget requests from departments and agencies of state governments. Among bills considered was one debated in the Senate Judiciary Committee that would require extreme drunk drivers to install an ignition interlock device. The proposal would apply to persons arrested with blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .15 or more, a level which is 385 times more likely to cause a crash.
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The Senate Government Operations Committee is currently considering action to loosen the grip of special interest groups and lobbyists over the various boards and commissions in Tennessee as they are reviewed by the panel in their normal sunset review process. Several members of the committee have expressed serious concerns about repeated language in Tennessee law that requires appointing authorities to select a candidate from special interest organizations.
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Officials from the state's Department of Economic and Community Development told Senate Commerce Committee members this week that Tennessee is working hard in a challenging economic climate to create new jobs. The Department came before the committee for consideration of its budget request, which includes expansion of an innovative new program sponsored by Republicans last session called TNInvestco.
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Two environmental resolutions were approved this week, including one calling for a report on the progress of TVA to comply with the federal Information Management System (NIMS), which directs emergency preparedness and response in accordance to guidelines established by the Department of Homeland Security. The resolution comes after a report released by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation noted the TVA Inspector General said the agency had not complied with NIMS and that emergency planning and preparedness are critical aspects for the safe management and operation of coal-fired plants operating in the state.
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Online Driver Safety Class - The Senate and House have approved and sent to the governor legislation that would allow senior drivers in the state to take an online driving course in order to receive a discount on their automobile insurance premiums. The bill, Senate Bill 2570, would allow the discount to citizens over 55 years of age if they complete an online driver safety course approved by the State Department of Safety. Currently, only seniors who take courses in a classroom are eligible to receive the discounts.
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