Allan F. Ramsaur, TBA Executive Director
(800) 899-6993 or (615) 277-3200
aramsaur@tnbar.org
April 24, 2003
Three TBA-backed bills nearing final votes
The three TBA-backed bills still awaiting full legislative approval inched closer to that goal this week, as the General Assembly continued to wind down the current session.
Progress was also made this week on legislation that will enable the establishment of a lottery. If this package continues to move, the legislature will likely finish its work and close down shop by the end of May.
The TBA's Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct clean-up bill (SB0735, HB0570) won Senate approval this morning and now goes back to the House for a confirmation vote on one technical amendment. It is on the House's Message Calendar for Monday, and if approved there will join two other TBA-backed bills already on the governor's desk.
Two other TBA-backed bills are also set for a House vote this coming week. One is the UETA bill (SB0383, HB0575) that cleans up portions of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act passed in 2001. The other is the bill dealing with the electronic treatment of notary seals bill (SB0353, HB0820). Both have already passed the Senate and are on the House Consent Calendar for Monday.
Other legislation of interest
Legislation that would permit the continuation of the Tennessee Judicial Council is on the calendar for Government Operations committees in both Houses next week. The Judicial Council was set up by the General Assembly as an advisory body so that legislators would not have to rely on anecdotal reports for making decisions on the administration of justice.
The legislation is necessary because the council is up for Sunset review, a process that would put it out of business if no new enabling legislation is passed (after a one-year winding-down period). TBA legislative counsel Steve Cobb said that the agency has faced some opposition because its advice on legislation has sometimes run counter to the efforts of some legislators.
Another bill moving forward is a domestic relations bill supported by the TBA and its Family Law Section. The bill (HB1480, SB0622) will basically emphasize that long-term alimony is appropriate where rehabilitation is not possible and will attempt to give some guidance to the courts for determining successful rehabilitation. It will establish a new type of alimony that is both tax deductible and not modifiable by the court. This does not eliminate the current type of alimony, but adds the new option to give more flexibility and promote settlement.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Nashville, and Reps. Carol Chumney, D-Memphis, and Janis Sontany, D-Nashville, has been placed on the House's Regular Calendar for Monday. In the Senate, it is scheduled for hearing by the Judiciary Committee on May 6.
TBA bill tracking service
The TBA bill tracking service lets you read abstracts of bills, check their status in both houses, find out who is sponsoring them and link to full versions of the legislation.
TBA Big List
Monitor close to 300 bills and resolutions of interest to the Tennessee legal community.
TBA Watch List
Monitor legislation in which the TBA has an interest of record — bills the TBA initiated, bills on which the TBA has taken a position or bills on which the TBA has policy.
Questions, comments? Contact TBA Legislative Counsel Steve Cobb at SAC@wallerlaw.com or TBA Executive Director Allan F. Ramsaur at aramsaur@tnbar.org
