Allan F. Ramsaur, TBA Executive Director
(800) 899-6993 or (615) 277-3200
aramsaur@tnbar.org
January 29, 2004
Workers’ compensation hearings start; committees busy
Legislative action picked up at a pace faster than normal this week, as testimony started on possible workers’ compensation reforms and committees saw calendars full of bills to consider.
Workers’ compensation reform deliberations began with a parade of witnesses testifying before the Senate Commerce Labor and Agriculture Committee. Witnesses included Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber, Finance and Administration Commissioner Dave Goetz, Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers, Commissioner of Labor Jim Neely and State Treasurer Dale Sims.
With the exception of Sims, witnesses described anecdotes and complaints about alleged failings of the current system and added some of their conclusions. They promised to supply what was called “hard” data later to back their proposals.
Because of time limitations, the committee was not able to hear from all scheduled witnesses. The remainder will testify Tuesday during the committee's 1:30 p.m. meeting. TBA members who have concerns about this area of the law should be prepared to communicate with their representatives and senators.
TBA bills formally introduced
The TBA’s major pieces of legislation are now filed and before the General Assembly.
The Ominbus Probate bill (SB 2599, HB 2639), which was recommended by the TBA Estate Planning and Probate Section, is being sponsored by Sen. David Fowler, R-Signal Mountain, and Rep. Joe Fowlkes, D-Cornersville. The bill covers a variety of topics from the color of ink on a notary's stamp to guardianship and conservatorship records. It has been referred to the Judiciary committees in both houses.
The second bill (SB 2525 HB 2541) deals with the taxation of family entities and the definition of what kind of trusts can be deemed a family member. This legislation — also sponsored by Rep. Fowlkes and Sen. Fowler — has been referred to the Finance Ways and Means committees in both houses.
The final measure in the TBA’s current legislative package is the Uniform Trust Act. At present, plans are to attach it as an amendment to SB 560 and HB 743 of the same name that were introduced by Sen. Fowler and Rep. Fowlkes last year.
With the two legislators carrying all three of these pieces of TBA-backed legislation, TBA legislative counsel Steve Cobb encourages TBA members who know them or who live in their districts to tell them their efforts are much appreciated.
“They are both highly competent practitioners in this area of the law,” Cobb says, “and the TBA and the public are fortunate to have them in the General Assembly."
TBA legislative tracking service
You can read abstracts of these bills and others, check their status in both houses, find out who is sponsoring them and link to full versions of the legislation with the TBA’s bill tracking service.
As we did last year, the TBA will provide a Watch List of about 300 bills and resolutions that are of interest to the Tennessee legal community. In addition, we’ll have a TBA Action List to help you keep track of 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.
Find both lists on our legislative page: http://www.tba.org/tba_legismain.html
If you like your shrimp big …
The TBA's annual reception for members of the General Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Tennessee Bar Center in Nashville. The popular event gives TBA members a chance to meet with state leaders in a relaxed atmosphere. This year the event is also tied to the TBA On the Hill program — scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18 — during which TBA members from across the state are invited to Nashville to meet with their local representatives and discuss legislation that will be coming up during the session.
Questions, comments? Contact TBA Legislative Counsel Steve Cobb at SAC@wallerlaw.com or TBA Executive Director Allan F. Ramsaur at aramsaur@tnbar.org
