New Senate Commerce Chair

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey announced the appointment of Sen. Jack Johnson (R- College Grove) as Senate Commerce Chairman.  Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixon) was named chair of Senate Government Operations Committee to fill the vacancy created by the shuffling of committee members.  Sen. Johnson will take over the Senate Commerce chairmanship effective immediately, replacing former Senator Paul Stanley.  Stanley resigned from the legislature this summer over a sex scandal involving a 22 year-old intern and an extortion attempt by her boyfriend.

The membership of the Senate Commerce Committee is now as follows:  Chair Jack Johnson (R-College Grove), Vice-Chair Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland), Secretary Charlotte Burks (D-Monterey), Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville), Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), Steve Southerland (R-Morristown), Eric Stewart (D-Belvidere), and Reginald Tate (D-Memphis).

There will be further changes in committee membership (although not in committee leadership) as 2009 draws to a close.  There are three outstanding races: the open senate seat left by Paul Stanley’s resignation in Shelby County, the open house seat that will be left by Brian Kelsey’s resignation to run for senate in Shelby county, and the open house seat left by Curt Cobb’s resignation in Shelbyville.  The year is not over yet, and I will keep you updated on any further changes in the makeup of the General Assembly.

Car Titles

The House Judiciary Summer Study committee met this week in Nashville.  In a grueling two days of meeting, they addressed the numerous issues that were sent to study during legislative session.  The study committee is not allowed to take action on legislation, but are simply there to hear testimony and learn about in-depth issues that they felt needed further clarification.

Rep. Jim Coley (R-Bartlett) asked that his legislation, HB 1849, be sent to study after lengthy discussions throughout the spring.  The bill increases the minimum age of a motor vehicle exempt from title requirements for motor vehicle dismantlers and recyclers and scrap metal dealers from 10 years to 15 years.

Rose arranged for Steve Levitan from Pull-A-Part to testify before the committee.  He gave an eloquent and convincing argument that the statute be allowed to remain at 10 years for title exemptions.  Committee members asked thoughtful questions and seemed interested and engaged in the TSRA position to kill the legislation.  While no action could be taken in study committee, it is unlikely that the bill will face a friendly audience in 2010.  Rep. Coley was present during the second day of testimony but decided not to present HB 1849.  This bodes well that the issue may not even surface in the House next year.  The Senate companion bill, however, may be run which would not rule out a passage attempt in the house.

2010 Legislative Session

The upcoming 2010-2011 fiscal year is shaping up to be one of the most difficult financial years that the state has seen since the Great Depression.  Tensions will be running high because of tight budgetary conditions, and partisan one-upmanship will be rife because of the upcoming election that could prove historic if Republicans take control of the legislature as well as the Governorship.  The TSRA needs to make plans for action in 2010 as soon as possible.  PAC giving and a legislative agenda for 2010 need to be discussed and finalized by Thanksgiving. 

TSRA has a good chance of passing “fix-it” legislation in 2010.  With lawsuits off the table and tempers cooled, some real change could be implemented.  Changes in the Senate Commerce committee are also very good for the TSRA position.  We already have two potential sponsors for bills in Representatives Judd Matheny and Jon Lundberg.  I look forward to meeting with you all to discus our plans for the upcoming session.  In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or ideas.