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February 16, 2007
Dear Friends, As you may have read in today's newspapers, I am sponsoring more legislation to strengthen citizens' rights against crime this year. As detailed below, I have filed legislation that clarifies it is permissible to use force in defending yourself if you are the victim of a carjacking. Additionally, as I did during the 104th General Assembly, I want to take measures to protect our children from predators. Two of my bills for this session address loopholes in Tennessee’s sex offender statutes. Senate Bill 1606 provides that anyone required to register as a sexual offender or violent sexual offender in another state who thereafter relocates to Tennessee must register here, regardless of any difference in the two states’ laws. And Senate Bill 1607 requires anyone pleading “no contest” to a sexual offense in another state to register on our list upon moving here to Tennessee. The Governor announced today that he supports Jessica’s Law. He didn’t last year. Republicans introduced several bills that attempted to toughen penalties for crimes against children. They passed the Senate but were killed in the House of Representatives last year. We have already reintroduced the legislation this year. District Attorney Bill Gibbons recently presented to legislators his “crime package,” an assortment of bills backed by law enforcement agencies across the state designed to keep criminals off the streets. General Gibbons has asked me to sponsor some of these measures, including Senate Bill 1967 that creates the offense of “Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony.” This bill enhances the punishment for repeat violent offenders who use guns and requires a mandatory ten (10) year sentence with no chance for early release. I will continue working to strengthen our laws in this area and, as always, I appreciate your support. Mark Norris Senate Majority Leader * * * * * Norris Bill Clarifies Self Defense Law Identifies Carjacking as Offense allowing Self-Defense measures NASHVILLE --- Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris is sponsoring legislation that specifically includes “carjacking” as an offense where Tennesseans are justified in using force to protect themselves and their families. The legislation adds specific language extending the “Castle Doctrine,” a presumption allowing the use of deadly force against home intruders, to a motor vehicle. “We are trying to spell it out in the code,” Norris said. “The rights exist now in our laws, but most people don’t realize they have this liberty.” Norris said the bills serve to reassure anyone faced with defense of their family while traveling. “Crime is a big issue and seems more pervasive in our lives than in the past,” Norris said. “There’s more disregard for human life. In some instances, you tend to feel more vulnerable with your family in the car.” Senate Bill 1609 and Senate Bill 1594 expand the circumstances when the use of force for self-defense is justified. The legislation also permits courts to award attorneys’ fees, court costs and other expenses in any civil action brought against a person whose use of force was justified under Tennessee’s self-defense guidelines. * * * * * Senate Committees Get to Work As the 105th General Assembly starts to move along, the newly appointed committees are scheduling hearings and legislation. Chairman Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) brought a number of groups together for the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture meeting to gather information regarding alternative fuels in Tennessee. Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens, Department of Environment Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan, and Executive Director of Clean Cities of Middle Tennessee Dave Pelton were just a few of the individuals who testified about ethanol and biodiesel made from products such as corn, soybeans, and switchgrass. The Senate Judiciary Committee was called to order by Chairman Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and heard a brief report from the District Public Defenders Conference before taking up legislation. One bill that action was taken on was SB 217 by Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro). The bill added an enhancement factor to allow courts to increase the sentence of individuals convicted of selling drugs to minors. The bill passed, was sent to the Calendar Committee and the full Senate will take action on it in the upcoming weeks. * * * * * Burchett Asks Governor to Reconsider Use of Guard Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) has sent a letter to Gov. Phil Bredesen voicing his concerns about the safety of the members of the Tennessee National Guard as they assist the U.S. Boarder patrol in stemming the entry of illegal aliens. Sen. Burchett contends that the Guard is not being used properly because they have been given rules of engagement in which they are unable to defend themselves. "Not allowing them to engage anyone, that's going to get somebody killed," Burchett told The Associated Press. "It's just a recipe for disaster." Associated Press "If they're not allowed to engage anyone, and I'm told they don't even have ammunition for their weapons," Burchett said. "It's the press' job to be observers - not the National Guard. If the president wants observers, he might as well send the Peace Corps or the Girl Scouts," he said. Knoxville News Sentinel * * * * * Legislature Unveils User Friendly Website The General Assembly has updated its website to allow easier access to track legislation. Users can simply go to the legislature’s website, click on the list of members, and click on an icon that gives them information on all bills filed by that senator. The tracker updates and includes information surrounding the bill, gives a general description, a list of the sponsors and co-sponsors, and the latest action taken on it. The General Assembly website can be found at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ . * * * * * Republicans File Key Legislation Along with the additions to the General Assembly’s website, the Senate Republican Caucus is doing their part to make government business more accessible and accountable to the taxpayers. Sen. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) has filed SB 1074 to establish an ombudsman’s council to ensure full and timely compliance with laws providing for public access to state governmental records and meetings. Interestingly enough, Gov. Bredesen has been getting the credit in the media, as the Tennessean and the City Paper have reported. Sen. Raymond Finney (R-Maryville) introduced legislation that will enact the “Report to the Taxpayers of Efficient and Honest Government Act of 2007”. If passed, SB 485 would require each department to maintain a program of “prevention, detection and correction of waste, mismanagement, abuse or fraud within the department,” and report to the General Assembly efforts to stem government waste. Failure to do so may result in a ten percent (10%) reduction in the department’s budget. Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Germantown) has filed SB 430 which is the “Education First” bill. Many people say that education is a top priority, however, they find many ways to spend taxpayer dollars before fully funding education. This bill requires that the legislature pass the education budget first and then fund the remaining functions of government. * * * * * |
