2009 Index of Acts

SB 1947 – HB 1580    Amends 57-3-406(c) and 57-5-301(a)(1) to prohibit sales of alcoholic beverages and beer to persons who are visibly intoxicated.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 206 – HB 214    Amends 57-5-101 to authorize manufacturers to operate as retailers at the manufacturer’s location for sales of up to 25,000 barrels of beer per year, and to allow such manufacturer/retailers to be licensed as a hotel for alcoholic beverage purposes.

Effective May 27, 2009.

SB 531 – HB 347    Amends 57-5-103 to authorize cities and counties to seek criminal history background or fingerprint checks on applicants for beer permits and enter into an agreement with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to conduct the search. The TBI is authorized to assess fees for the search in accordance with their fee schedule, but cities and counties are not authorized to recover the fees from the applicant for the beer permit.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 600 – HB 1659    Amends 57-4-107 to allow alcoholic beverages to be sold for on-premises consumption in unincorporated areas of a county with a charter form of government that has held a countywide local option election approving liquor-by- the-drink.

Effective June 5, 2009.

SB 1955 – HB 1720    Enacts 57-2-103(d) to make it lawful to manufacture intoxicating liquors and/or intoxicating drinks within the boundaries of certain counties listed by population classification, if both retail package sales and liquor-by-the-drink have been approved through voter referendum within the county, or if the county is included in the Tennessee River resort district as defined in 57-4-102 and retail package sales have been approved through voter referendum within such county. This provision applies in the following counties: Anderson, Blount, Cheatham, Cumberland, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Franklin, Gibson, Giles, Greene, Grundy, Hardin, Hawkins, Henry, Humphreys, Jefferson, Knox, Lauderdale, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Montgomery, Perry, Roane, Robertson, Rutherford, Sequatchie, Sevier, Shelby, Smith, Sullivan, Tipton, Washington, Williamson.The county legislative body of any such county may adopt a resolution opting out, but only until such time as notification is filed with the county mayor that a person intends to manufacture intoxicating liquor within that county, and once notice is filed no action can be taken to opt out unless the person’s interest is withdrawn or application is denied by the state or federal government. The county mayor must notify the Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Tennessee Code Commission if the county opts out. Also, the county legislative body of any other county to which this subdivision applies [unclear as to which counties this may include] may adopt a resolution to apply this subdivision within the boundaries of its county. The county mayor must notify the Alcoholic Beverage Commission if this action is taken. Any facility producing intoxicating liquors or intoxicating drinks may be located in the unincorporated areas of the county.  If a manufacturer which has been issued a license hereunder is also issued a license for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages under 57-3-204(f) in a county that has established a distance requirement which restricts the storage, sale or manufacture of beer near places of public gatherings, then those distance requirements will apply to the building used for retail sale with respect to any building used for religious purposes; the measurement shall be building-to-building.

Effective June 25, 2009.

SB 1273 – HB 898    Amends 39-17-1305 to prohibit state and local governments from refusing to issue or renew any beer or alcoholic beverage permit or license, suspend or revoke such permit or license, or otherwise discriminate against the permit or license holder on the basis of whether firearms are allowed to be carried or are prohibited in the establishment in accordance with law.

Effective July 9, 2009.

 

SB 2241 – HB 2329    Amends 68-120-101 to authorize the state fire marshal to charge a convenience fee for receiving construction plans, specifications, and related fees electronically.

Effective May 13, 2009.

SB 2113 – HB 2041    Deletes 68-111-109 so that current law on rental property unfit for habitation, enacted in 2008 and set to expire on July 1, 2009, will remain in effect.

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 59 – HB 867    Amends 62-2-102(b) to exempt certain types of signs from the requirement that only licensed architects or engineers prepare the plans and specifications of such structures. The exemption shall not apply if the local building official believes that failure of the support system of the sign is likely to harm people or property.

Effective May 21, 2009.

SB 1830 – HB 1847    Amends 13-6-102(8) to authorize courts to determine that an activity or structure is a public nuisance. Amends 13-6-104 to authorize the court to award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to persons bringing an action under Title 13, Chapter 6. Amends 13-6-106 to specify that if a codes enforcement entity fails to respond to the court’s request for an inspection and issuance or denial of a certificate of public nuisance within 30 calendar days, the court shall schedule a hearing requesting that the codes enforcement entity present its findings and participate in the hearing. The court is to determine at the hearing whether or not the certificate of public nuisance should be issued, and the action will be dismissed if the building is not certified as a public nuisance by the municipal corporation, by the codes enforcement entity, or by the court. If a court finds that issuance of a certificate of public nuisance is warranted, the court may issue an order or injunction barring transfer of the property without the nuisance being abated and may award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the person bringing the action.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 2300 – HB 2318    Enacts the Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act of 2009.  Part of this act amends 68-120-101 to authorize the department of commerce and insurance to adopt a statewide residential building code. As in the prior version of 68-120-101, local government jurisdictions can be exempt from statewide standards by enforcing standards themselves. The revised 68-120-101 contains an opt-out provision for one- and two-family residential codes available to all local governing bodies regardless of whether the local jurisdiction is enforcing its own code or has no code at all.

The provisions of the act amending 68-120-101 are effective July 1, 2010.

SB2275 – HB2282    Amends Title 68, Chapter 11 and Title 56, Chapter 32 to enact the Critical Adult Care Home Act of 2009. Amends 68-11-202(b)(1) to require adult care homes to meet all state and local building, sanitation, utility and fire code requirements applicable to single family dwellings. Allows the board for licensing health care facilities to adopt more stringent standards in these areas.

Effective January 1, 2010.

 

SB 2192 – HB 2194    Amends 7-2-108(a)(18) and 7-3-302(1) to provide that, if there are special school districts within the county, the metropolitan government charter need not provide for consolidation of existing school systems. If the school districts are not consolidated, any special school district continues to operate as a separate entity.

Effective June 5, 2009.

 

SB 323 – HB 661    Amends 55-4-130 to authorize the air pollution control board to provide an enhanced inspection and maintenance program using remote sensing devices to identify vehicles that comply with air quality criteria.

Effective May 5, 2009.

SB 1339 – HB 1631    Amends 55-16-108(e) to provide that any person, firm, corporation, or unit of government, upon whose property or in whose possession is found any abandoned, immobile, or unattended motor vehicle, or any person being the owner of a motor vehicle whose title certificate is faulty, lost or destroyed, may dispose of the motor vehicle to a demolisher without the title and without notification procedures of 55-16-105, if the motor vehicle is over 10 years old and has no engine or is otherwise totally inoperable (prior to this amendment, these provisions applied to vehicles over 5 years old).

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 939 – HB 465    Enacts 55-21-1     to authorize licensed nurse practitioners and physician assistants to issue certified statements of disability or deafness to accompany the application of disabled or deaf persons for registration, license plates, placards, and decals, but only if such authority is expressly included in the written protocol developed by the supervising physician and the nurse practitioner or physician assistant setting forth the range of services such person is authorized to perform.

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 921 – HB 985    Amends 55-4-111(b) to change the definition of “antique motor vehicle” so vehicles with antique plates can be used for transportation to and from club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar uses, and on highways for selling, testing the operation of, or obtaining repairs or maintenance to the vehicle. 

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 597 – HB 669    Amends 55-12-139 and 55-12-140 to prohibit the dismissal of a misdemeanor charge against a motorist for failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility if the person did not have financial responsibility in effect at the time of citation.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 2318 – HB 2275    Section 108 of the Technical Corrections Act raises the state’s fee for noting liens on certificates of title from $5.00 to $5.50.

Effective June 25, 2009.

SB 2318 – HB 2275    Sections 69–93 of the Technical Corrections Act move collection of business tax from county clerks to the state department of revenue, but the commissioner of revenue is given broad discretion to transition the administration of the business tax from the local to the state level from July 1, 2009 through October 1, 2010.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 403 – HB 529    Amends 3-15-607 to continue the existence of the joint select committee of the General Assembly to study business taxes until June 30, 2013.

Effective June 25, 2009.

 

SB 2050 – HB 1978    Encourages local governments to use current electronic technology to perform the business functions of their offices. Requires the local government to file a plan with the comptroller at least 30 days before implementation of new electronic technology associated with disbursement of public funds, purchasing, sale of local government assets, or collection of taxes, fines, fees or payments.

Effective April 27, 2009.

SB 890 – HB 713    Amends 58-2-110 to provide that the emergency management director is subject to the direction and control of the county mayor, not the county legislative body.

Effective April 30, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 149    Regulation of Veterinarians

SB 2107 – HB 2110    Enacts 63-12-145 to prohibit local governments from regulating the practice of veterinary medicine with the exception of regulating the time and place of business operations.

Effective May 5, 2009.

SB 18 – HB 83    Amends 8-18-107 to add retired general sessions judges to present list of officials who may administer oaths of office to elected or appointed public officials.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 2184 – HB 435    Amends 39-14-510 to authorize the county mayor to administer the litter program. Empowers the county mayor to authorize disbursements from the county general fund to fund the program, and to enter into agreements with city mayors or city managers as to disbursements for violations occurring within municipal boundaries.  Directs counties to establish proper accounting systems to monitor and audit receipts and disbursements under the act.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1502 – HB 1202    Amends 55-8-198(c) to provide that a state agency or political subdivision of the state that installs, owns, operates, or maintains a traffic-control signal light located in an intersection that employs a surveillance camera for the enforcement or monitoring of traffic violations shall ensure that: (1) the surveillance camera does not identify as a violation of 55-8-110(a)(3), or any municipal law or ordinance that mirrors, substantially duplicates or incorporates the language of that provision, any vehicle which legally entered the intersection during the green or yellow intervals in accordance with 55-8-110(a)(1) and (2); and (2) appropriate signage is placed not less than 500 feet but not more 1,000 feet before the intersection informing drivers of the presence of surveillance cameras at the intersection. Any traffic citation based solely on evidence generated by the surveillance camera will be deemed invalid if the state agency or political division violates the provisions of this subsection.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 976 – HB 716    Amends T.C.A. § 39-17-1311 to make it legal, effective September 1, 2009, for persons authorized to carry a handgun pursuant to T.C.A. § 39-17-1351 to carry a handgun while within or on a public park, natural area, historic park, nature trail, campground, forest, greenway, waterway or other similar public place (“parks”) owned or operated by a county or instrumentality thereof unless a county elects, by a majority vote, to prohibit handguns in its parks. If a county elects to prohibit handguns in its parks, the prohibition will apply to the entire park. If a park is jointly owned or operated by a county and a municipality, then all affected legislative bodies must vote individually to prohibit handguns in the park. Requires counties electing to prohibit handguns in parks to prominently display signs in the parks to provide notice that handguns are not allowed.  Makes it a Class A misdemeanor for persons to possess handguns in parks where handguns are prohibited.

 The provisions allowing handguns in locally-owned parks are effective September 1, 2009. All other provisions, including the provision allowing local governments to elect to prohibit handguns in their parks, are effective June 12, 2009.

SB 1310 – HB 1354    Enacts Title 7, Chapter 68, to prohibit local governments from adopting any ordinance or written policy prohibiting a local government entity, official or employee from complying with applicable federal law pertaining to persons who reside in Tennessee illegally. Also prohibits local government officials from materially interfering with the ability of a local government entity, official or employee to comply with applicable federal law pertaining to persons who reside in Tennessee illegally. Authorizes any person who believes that a violation of this law has occurred to file a complaint in chancery court.

Effective June 23, 2009, for amending or repealing existing ordinances or policies.  

Effective September 1, 2009, for all other purposes.

SB857 – HB1122    Amends 42-3-103 to authorize county legislative bodies, by a 2/3 vote, to dissolve certain municipal airport authorities and to specify that commissioners shall be appointed by the governing body of the municipality. Amends 42-3-103 and 42- 3-104 to revise provisions regarding commissioner appointments, removal of commissioners, and filling vacancies created by such removal.

Effective June 23, 2009.

SB1082 – HB1347    Enacts the Convention Center Authorities Act of 2009 to authorize the creation of convention center authorities. Specifies the rights, duties and obligations of such authorities. Also specifies how an authority is to be created and what must be contained in an authority’s charter.

Effective June 23, 2009.

SB1919 – HB1486    Amends 13-20-202 to expand the types of items housing authorities may pay for in relation to redevelopment projects, including paying expenses for energy efficiency costs, LEED certification requirements and public infrastructure.

Effective June 23, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 496    County Conservation Boards

SB2068 – HB1958    Amends 11-21-103 to authorize county conservation boards to vote (by majority) to hold less frequent meetings, but such boards must meet at least quarterly.

Effective June 23, 2009.

SB0006 – HB1444    Amends Title 11, Chapter 3, Part 1 to specify that no individual may be disqualified from having a park named for him solely because he is not deceased. Amends 11-21-105 to specify that county conservation boards may not require that parks or other property under their control be named only for people who are deceased. Amends Title 11, Chapter 24, Part 1 to specify that no municipality, recreation board or commission or other authority which runs a supervised recreation system may require that parks or other property under its control be named only for people who are deceased.

Effective June 25, 2009.

SB 307 – HB 409    Amends 40-1-111 to require, beginning January 1, 2010, judicial commissioners appointed under this section to complete 12 hours of continuing education each calendar year, 10 hours of which must be conferences or courses sponsored or approved by the Judicial Commissioners Association of Tennessee, and the remaining 2 hours at classes sponsored by either the Judicial Commissioners Association of Tennessee or the Tennessee Court Clerks Association, or by local inservice education; at least 6 hours must be taught by a Tennessee licensed attorney. Judicial commissioners licensed to practice law in Tennessee may use continuing legal education credits. Training must include: (1) at least 2 hours on domestic violence or child abuse; (2) at least 1 hour on bail and bonds; and (3) at least 1 hour on ethics. Counties must provide all necessary funding for their respective judicial commissioners to complete the required continuing education. Records indicating satisfaction of continuing education requirements must be maintained by each county and kept on the file for at least 7 years.

Effective June 25, 2009.

SB605 – HB1603    Enacts 6-54-134 to authorize municipalities with populations of at least 100,000 and certain counties (Blount, Carter, Coffee, Davidson, Fentress, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Knox, Montgomery, Rutherford, Sequatchie, Sevier, Shelby, Sullivan, Sumner, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and Williamson) to permit, by ordinance or resolution, pet dogs in outdoor dining areas of restaurants.Specifies that the ordinances and/or resolutions must provide for a permitting process for the restaurants.

Effective July 1, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 554    Appropriations Act

SB2355 – HB2392    BEP Funding - Pre-K through 12 funding was increased by an estimated $75 million next year, with about $46 million of that amount funding the inflationary cost associated with the state’s share.TACIR Regional Jail Feasibility Study - Some $200,000 is included in the Governor’s appropriation amendment for a feasibility study to be conducted by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR). This study will assist with planning for a proposed facility in the Upper Cumberland area, where several counties are all interested in developing a regional jail to serve the area.Safe Schools - The budget reduces recurring funding of $3.09 million to LEAs for school safety grants, replacing it with nonrecurring stream of revenue. School systems that currently employ a school resource officer will continue to receive those recurring funds. The four urban school systems - Memphis City, Metro Nashville, Knox County, and Hamilton County - will receive approximately 50 percent of their normal allocation on a recurring basis. TCA 49-6-4302 and TCA 49-1-214 state the department must have a safety center for data collection and reports but grants are subject to appropriation. A nonrecurring appropriation will be used in fiscal year 2009-2010 to maintain full funding to these school systems.Internet Connectivity - A $3.02 million reduction in recurring funding for school internet connectivity is included. This reduction will keep funding intact for internet connectivity at the system level, but will eliminate recurring individual funding for internet connectivity at the school level. A nonrecurring appropriation of $2.06 million was added back in the revised Administration budget.Coordinated School Health - Recurring grant funding of some $15.6 million for health coordinator positions and programs at the local education agencies (LEAs) will be eliminated. A nonrecurring appropriation of $10.52 million will provide grant funds to the LEAs and funding for two filled positions in fiscal year 2009- 2010 under the revised Administration budget plan.County Reappraisal Grants - The bulk of the $923,400 reduction in the Comptroller’s Office comes from the Division of Property Assessments ($323,400) and the State Board of Equalization ($600,000), which administers the reappraisal grant program. The statewide impact is a reduction of about 30 percent for each county’s reappraisal grant appropriation. This brings the total grant allocation to about $1.4 million.Treasury Department - The Certified Public Administrators appropriation, the pool of funds designated for supplemental payments to those who have earned that designation under the UT County Technical Assistance Service County Officials Certificate Training Program (COCTP), is reduced by $78,900. While non-recurring funds of $59,500 are used to offset the reduction, those should be considered one-time monies subject to future revenues being available to continue the program. The net immediate impact is a $19,400 reduction in FY2009-2010. 

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB1468 – HB1432    Amends 29-3-101(a)(2) to amend the definition of nuisance to include gang related activity. Amends 29-3-110 to designate that the current procedure for abatement orders applies to nuisances other than gang related activity, and to create a separate section on abatement orders issued for gang related activity.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB1283 – HB1598    Enacts new provisions stating that no governmental entity shall substantially burden a person’s free exercise of religion. A person whose free exercise of religion has been burdened may assert such violation as a claim or defense in any judicial or administrative proceeding. Allows for declaratory judgment and monetary relief, including reasonable costs and attorney’s fees. Persons found by the court to have abused the protections provided in this act may be assessed costs and enjoined from filing future claims without the court’s permission.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB258 – HB386    Enacts the Commercial Breeder Act at Title 44, Chapter 17, Part 7, which provides for the regulation of commercial breeders by the Commissioner of Health. Enacts 44-17-709 to require the Commissioner of Health to notify applicable local law enforcement agencies if an inspection reveals a violation of Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2 or if there is credible evidence that a violation exists. Enacts 44-17-714 to require commercial breeders that violate the act to reimburse local governments for any costs they incur in transporting, treating, feeding, maintaining or otherwise caring for the dogs and/or cats. Enacts 44-17-715 to establish a commercial breeder act enforcement and recovery account within the state’s general fund. All license fees and civil penalties shall go into the fund and such fund shall be used to pay the cost of administering the act and to pay the state or any local government for its unreimbursed costs incurred as a result of the provisions of this act.  The act is set to expire on June 30, 2014.

Effective January 1, 2010.

 

SB 1910 – HB 1439    Amends Title 36 and Title 37 to re-designate child support referees and juvenile referees as child support magistrates and juvenile magistrates.

Effective May 20, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 263    Orders of Protection

SB 192 – HB 268    Amends  36-3-617  to  provide  that  a  victim  shall  not  be  liable  for any  costs associated with the filing, issuance, registration, service, dismissal or nonsuit, appeal or enforcement of an ex parte order of protection, order or protection, or a petition for either such order.

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 1804 – HB 1305    Amends 37-1-101 to provide that whenever a juvenile court conducts a child custody proceeding the court shall ensure compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.

Effective May 27, 2009.

SB 1530 – HB 1260    Amends 37-1-103 and 39-15-401 to provide that juvenile courts, courts of general sessions, circuit and criminal courts have concurrent jurisdiction to hear child abuse and neglect cases.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1638 – HB 1454    Amends 40-35-209(e) to require the district attorney general to file uniform judgment document within 30 days after sentencing; requires that the document be signed by all parties, but if not signed by the parties, the clerk must make a copy of the document available to the parties before entry by the court.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1281 – HB 1503    Amends 26-2-203(a) to provide that a garnishee may be summoned to court 10 business days after being served. Amends 26-2-203(b) to clarify language in the summons to the garnishee regarding the garnishee’s duty to forward the garnishment and notice to the judgment debtor. Court clerks are not required to print new garnishment forms, but may make any necessary changes to existing forms.

Effective June 9, 2009.

SB 683 – HB 403    Amends 24-9-136 to provide that a deposition shall not be taken before   a person who is an employee or relative of one of the parties or an attorney for one of the parties or before someone who has had a sexual relationship within the past two years with one of the parties or with an attorney for one of the parties. Enacts 24- 9-137 to provide that any person forbidden to take a deposition under 24-9-136 in an action shall not record or transcribe for submission to any court or administrative tribunal any hearing before any court or administrative agency concerning such action.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 597 – HB 669    Amends 55-12-139 and 55-12-140 to prohibit the dismissal of a misdemeanor charge against a motorist for failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility if the person did not have financial responsibility in effect at the time of citation.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 314 – HB 1225    Amends 36-3-604 to direct the administrative office of the courts (AOC) to revise the petition for an order of protection form to include additional language informing the respondent to terminate physical possession of all firearms if the order of protection is granted in a manner that fully complies with the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8). Court clerks may obtain the most current forms by printing them from the Web site of the AOC. Amends 36-3-625 to direct the respondent after disposing of all firearms to complete and return to the court an affidavit of firearms dispossession form to be created by the Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council in consultation with the AOC. The court may provide the respondent with the affidavit of firearms dispossession form or may direct the respondent to print the form from the Web page of the AOC.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 837 – HB 1153    Amends 39-17-420(k) to require the drug testing fee of $20 assessed and collected in any county of the 9th judicial district before the fee was repealed in 2007 to be designated for use by the 9th  judicial district drug task force.

Effective June 25, 2009.

SB 1726 – HB 1379    Amends 40-24-105 to provide that fines, costs, or litigation taxes assessed against a defendant in a criminal case which remain in default after the defendant is released from prison or when the court otherwise loses jurisdiction over the defendant may be converted to a civil judgment which may be enforced in any manner authorized by law for civil judgments. Enacts 40-24-1 to direct the administrative office of the courts in consultation with the state court clerks association and the general sessions judges conference to study the feasibility of implementing alternative methods by which an indigent defendant in a criminal case may offset court costs for which the defendant is in default. Effective July 1, 2009.Public Chapter 578    Quarterly Reports–Mentally Defective or Judicially Committed PersonsSB 2236 – HB 2249    Enacts 16-10-213, 16-11-206, 16-15-303, 16-16-120, and amends 33-3-115 todirect courts wherein commitments to mental institutions are ordered under Title 33, Chapter 6 or 7 or persons are adjudicated as mentally defective to enter a standing and continuing order directing the court clerk to report January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of every year beginning January 1, 2010 to the federal bureau of investigation-NICS Index and the department of safety, the following information regarding individuals who have been adjudicated as mentally defective or judicially committed: (1) complete name and all aliases; (2) case or docket number; (3) date of judicial commitment or adjudication as mentally defective; (4) hospital or treatment resource to which the individual was sent; and(5) date of birth, if provided to the clerk. The act also provides that the reports shall be confidential.

Effective July 1, 2010.

 

SB 445 – HB 957    Amends 7-53-104(b) to clarify that an officer of a municipality, city manager, or other comparable chief administrative officer of a municipality may serve on the board of directors of a joint industrial development corporation and no other employee is eligible to serve. Specifies that the term of such director may be coextensive with the time the person serves as an officer or employee of the municipality. Also amends 7-53-302(a)(11) to allow industrial development corporations to secure debt or obligations of their lessees.

Effective April 27, 2009.

SB 404 – HB 1307    Amends 4-3-2206(b)(5) to allow the department of tourist development to match funds from development districts, regional councils, and associations of local government for tourism. Also amends 4-3-2207(b) to allow the state to match funds for regional tourist promotion upon the creation of a tax exempt public agency representing a planning region.

Effective May 5, 2009.

SB 653 – HB 1115    Amends 64-6-101, 64-6-102, 64-6-103, 64-6-104, 64-6-105, 64-6-108 and adds anew section 64-6-111 to create an additional method of forming and governing regional megasite authorities and to revise various provisions relating to regional megasites.  Also amends 13-16-204(b) and 13-16-206 to allow delegation of control over industrial parks to regional megasite authorities. Effective May 7, 2009.

SB 1667 – HB 1211    Amends 7-53-101(13)(B)(i) to revise the definition of “project” to include any hotel, motel or apartment building located within an area designated as the center city area in a municipality that has created a central business improvement district. Also revises the definition of “project” to include any hotel, including any conference or convention center facilities related to the hotel, or motel that could provide substantial sources of tax revenue or economic activity to the municipality.

Effective May 7, 2009.

SB517 – HB1749    Enacts 4-3-736 to delegate to the department of economic and community development the authority to allocate portions of the “national recovery zone economic development bond limitation” and the “national recovery zone facility bond limitation” among the counties and large municipalities. Amends 9-21- 105(22) to revise the definition of “public works project” to include facilities or capital expenditures paid or incurred with respect to property in a “recovery zone” and facilities or expenditures paid or incurred for “qualified conservation purposes” in connection with the issuance of “qualified energy conservation bonds”.

Amends 9-21-107 to authorize local governments to designate one or more areas as a “recovery zone.” Amends 7-54-101 to revise the definition of “energy production facility” to include “qualified renewable energy facilities.” Amends 7-53-101(13)(A) to amend the definition of project to include “recovery zone property” and facilities or expenditures paid or incurred for “qualified conservation purposes” in connection with the issuance of “qualified energy conservation bonds”. Enacts 4-31-119 to delegate to the Tennessee local development authority the authority to allocate the state’s portion of the “national qualified energy conservation bond limitation”.

Effective July 9, 2009.

 

SB 73 B HB 921    Amends 49-6-2109(e) to delete the requirement that advertising on school buses be in black lettering on a white background, and to prohibit advertising individual food items that cannot be sold to pupils in grades pre-K through 8 in vending machines.

Effective July 1, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 254    Reemployment of Retired Teachers

SB 1514 – HB 1683    Amends 8-36-821(c) to extend to June 30, 2011, the authorization to employ retired teachers in grades K-12 without loss of their retirement benefits in accordance with the requirements of that statute.

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 482 – HB 556    Enacts 49-1-2     to encourage local education agencies to develop a pilot program funded through private donations to encourage at-risk students to achieve greater academic success.

Effective May 29, 2009.

SB 23 – HB 92    Amends 49-6-2109(b) to permit the use of conventional school buses for a period of 12 years of service, and Class D school buses for a period of 15 years of service, but the commissioner of safety may approve an additional 5 years of service for conventional buses, and an additional 2 years of service for Class D buses, on a year-to-year basis through the inspection process. Provides for additional inspections, the cost of which will be borne by the owner of the bus.The commissioner of safety is to promulgate rules and regulations.

Effective July 1, 2009.

Public Chapter 514    Extended Learning – Cooperation with Community Organizations

SB 1320 – HB 1868    Amends 49-2-203(b) to authorize school boards to cooperate with community organizations to offer extended learning opportunities.

Effective June 25, 2009.

SB 2133 – HB 2146    Amends 49-13-104 to extend the initial period of a charter school from five years to 10 years. Amends 49-13-106 to expand the students eligible to attend charter schools; includes students in all grades who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in LEAs with 14,000 or more students and 3 or more schools which have missed the same benchmark for adequate yearly progress for 2 or more consecutive years resulting in the schools being high priority schools; authorizes all other LEAs to choose by a 2/3 majority vote of the local board of education to allow students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches to be eligible to attend charter schools; also deletes limitations formerly applied to these students. Amends 49-13-106(b)(2)(B) to authorize the conversion of failing public schools to charter schools. Amends 49-13-106(b)(2) to exempt conversions of public schools to charter schools from the statewide limit on the number of charter schools that can be created. Revises 49-13-112 regarding allocation of funding to a charter school. Amends 49-13-121 to require an interim review of the charterschool in the 5th year of the initial period and in the 5th year of any renewal period. 

Amends 49-13-106(b)(2) to authorize the conversion of a public school in “restructuring 2–alternate governance” to a charter school at the option of the commissioner of education. 

Amends 49-13-120 to require charter schools to provide detailed accounting reports including all sources of funding. Amends 49- 13-106 to increase the authorized number of charter schools from 50 to 90 statewide, 35 of which shall be located in a home rule municipality in Shelby County , four of which shall be located in Shelby County, and 20 of which shall be located in Davidson County. Amends 49-13-106 to authorize the formation of charter schools devoted exclusively to the re-enrollment of high school students who have dropped out, but no more than three can be created statewide and no more than one in any LEA; these schools do not count against the statewide caps on the number of charter schools. State department of education is to promulgate rules and regulations.

Effective June 29, 2009.

SB 2040 – HB 1988    Amends Title 49, Chapter 3, Part 12, and 49-13-124 to replace the term "qualified zone academy project" with the term "school credit bond project" in the Tennessee State School Bond Authority Act and the Tennessee Public Charter Schools Act of 2002. "School credit bond project" means the acquisition of land for and the construction, renovation, repair, rehabilitation, improving or equipping of school facilities for a local government or a public charter school, if the project qualifies to be financed through the issuance of qualified zone academy bonds or qualified school construction bonds, as defined in the federal Internal Revenue Code. Authorizes the TSSBA to finance school credit bond projects for a local government to enable a local government to benefit from the issuance of qualified school construction bonds.  Authorizes the TSSBA to issue its negotiable bonds for a school credit bond project. Requires "the TSSBA," instead of "the department in conjunction with the TSSBA," to develop the application and review procedure for such loans and bonds and the department only has such other authority as may be necessary "to the extent requested by the TSSBA." Designates the TSSBA as the state education agency and delegates to the agency the authority to allocate, on behalf of the state, the national zone academy bond limitation allocated to the state among the state, local governments and public charter schools in any manner that the TSSBA determines best supports public education in the state. The TSSBA is directed to adopt rules and regulations with respect to the allocation process. The agency may allocate the limitation amount allocated to the state under the federal provisions governing qualified school construction bonds and any limitation amount allocated to a Tennessee large local education agency within the meaning of the federal law and reallocated by such large local education agency to the state, among the state, local governments and public charter schools in any manner that the TSSBA determines best supports public education. Bonds for such projects may be issued only by the TSSBA. Counties having municipal school systems or special school districts may not be required to share the proceeds of county school credit bonds.

Effective July 8, 2009.

 

SB 1712 - HB 1168    Amends 2008 Public Chapter 871 to clarify that such act should not be interpreted to require a member of a county legislative body to resign their seat on such body after accepting an appointment for a vacancy filed by the body if such member could have accepted such appointment without resigning prior to 2008 Public Chapter 871 and provides that any action taken by any board, commission, or committee on or after the effective date of 2008 Public Chapter 871 shall not be invalidated due to any other interpretation of such act. Amends 5-5-111(c) to provide that a member of a county legislative body shall resign their seat on such body if they accept an appointment for a vacancy required by the Tennessee Constitution to be filled by the county legislative body.

Effective March 27, 2009.

SB 1420 - HB 1421    Amends numerous provisions in Title 2 regarding election laws including allowing voters to transfer voter registration and apply for an absentee ballot via email with an attached document which includes a scanned signature.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1833 - HB 1857    Enacts a section in Title 2, Chapter 5 which directs the coordinator of  elections to study the feasibility of using ballot-on-demand technology for both early voting and election day voting.

Effective May 27, 2009.

SB 139 - HB 519    Amends 2-10-117 to provide that no multicandidate political campaign committee may make a contribution to a candidate after the 10th day before an election until the day of the election.

Effective May 27, 2009.

SB 547 - HB 845    Amends Title 2, Chapter 11, Part 1 to provide that two members shall temporarily be added to the state election commission any time the majority party changes as  a result of the regular November election, including the 2008 election.

Effective June 9, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 556    Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance

SB 162 - HB 506    Enacts 4-54-101 through 4-54-105 and amends numerous other statues    to create the bureau of ethics and campaign finance, which is composed of the existing registry of election finance and ethics commission.

Effective July 1, 2009.

 

SB 1243 - HB 815    Amends 39-16-515 to expand the offense of aiming a laser pointer or other device at a law enforcement officer to include aiming at firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or other emergency service personnel.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1685 - HB 980    Amends 58-8-115 to provide that governmental and non-governmental utilities that enter into mutual assistance agreements for the purposes of providing aid or assistance to one another are eligible for reimbursement of all out-of-pocket costs incurred by the responding party. Amends 58-8-103(a) to provide that a separate agreement is required with regard to aid or assistance provided between nongovernmental utilities and governmental entities.

Effective June 9, 2009.

SB 207 - HB 106    Amends 68-140-507(a) to provide that standards for the design, construction, equipment, sanitation, operation and maintenance of ambulances, invalid vehicles, and for the operations and minimum emergency care equipment for emergency response vehicles shall be promulgated by the state EMS board, including restrictions on the amount of mileage of an operational vehicle and mandatory mechanical inspections for vehicles over a certain mileage.

Effective June 23, 2009.

 

SB 2066 - HB 1912    Enacts 65-28-208 to provide that the addition of refined landfill methane  into any natural gas stream and the resulting use of such gas stream shall be considered to be the use of natural gas within the meaning of any permit granted by any agency of the state.

Effective July 1, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 196    Open Burning of Wood Waste Study

SB 1415 - HB 1250    Amends 68-201-115 to direct the commissioner of environment and conservation to conduct a study concerning the open burning of wood waste.

Effective May 13, 2009.

SB 0185 - HB 0341    Amends 68-211-706(a) to provide that the Jackson Law, 68-211-701 et seq., is applicable to a private landfill which solely accepts solid waste generated by its owner unless the waste is solely generated within the same county as the landfill.

Effective May 13, 2009.

SB 1559 - HB 1628    Amends 68-211-106 to provide that the commissioner of environment and conservation shall not issue a permit for the disposal of coal ash or for the expansion of an existing coal ash disposal facility unless the plans for such facility include a liner and a final cap. The act does not apply to the use of coal ash for fill, agricultural use, engineered uses as a feedstock for the production of a product, or wastewater treatment units.

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 881 - HB 1245    Amends 69-3-105 to direct the water quality control board to adopt rules creating a system of incentives for alternatives to discharges of wastewater into surface waters. Amends 69-3-108 to provide that applicants for permits which would authorize wastewater discharge into surface waters shall include in the application a consideration of alternatives, including, but not limited to, land application and beneficial re-use of the wastewater.

Effective May 21, 2009.

SB 1312 - HB 1619    Amends 69-3-108(b)(7) to provide that only those concentrated animal feeding operations which are required to have a permit under the federal Clean Water Act may be issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

Effective June 1, 2009.

SB 2305 - HB 2294    Amends Title 68, Chapter 221, Parts 10 and 12 to provide that the department of environment and conservation shall deposit into the wastewater facility revolving loan fund and the water system revolving loan fund any funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in order to make loans or subsidize loans made under the programs authorized by the Wastewater Facilities Act of 1987 and the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Act of 1997.

Effective June 9, 2009.

SB 2038 - HB 1976    Amends 4-31-102(11), 68-221-1003(7)(i), and 68-221-1203(6) to add water/wastewater authority or any energy authority created by an act of the general assembly to the definition of local government unit under the Tennessee Local Development Authority Act, to the definition of local government under the Wastewater Facilities Act of 1987, and to the definition of system or water system under the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Act of 1997.

Effective June 11, 2009.

SB 2357 - HB 2389    Amends 68-211-835 to provide that from the funds received for the surcharge under 68-211-835(d) the state shall credit $2,600,000 to the general fund annually for a period of three years starting July 1, 2009; any remainder from this surcharge shall be credited to the solid waste management fund. Amends 68-211- 1006 to provide that from the funds received for the fee under 68-211-1006(a) the state shall credit $400,000 to the general fund annually for a period of three years starting July 1, 2009; any remainder from this fee shall be credited to the used oil collection fund. Amends 68-215-110 to provide that from the funds received for the fee under 68-215-110(h) the state shall credit $3,000,000 to the general fund annually for a period of three years starting July 1, 2009; any remainder from this fee, except as provided in 68-215-110(h)(3)(A)(i), shall be credited to the petroleum underground storage tank fund.

Effective June 25, 2009.

 

SB 162 - HB 506    Enacts 4-54-101 through 4-54-105 and amends numerous other statues to create the bureau of ethics and campaign finance, which is composed of the existing registry of election finance and ethics commission.

Effective July 1, 2009.

 

SB17 – HB 74    Amends 9-4-103 to revise the definition of “surety bond” as it relates to “eligible collateral” used to secure repayment of public funds deposited in state or qualified public depositories.  Revises the definition of “surety bond” to include new criteria for insurance companies issuing surety bonds as well as new criteria for the bonds themselves. Also provides for periodic monitoring of the financial ratings of the insurance companies issuing the surety bonds.

Effective March 16, 2009.

SB 2044 – HB 1977    Enacts 9-21-152, which authorizes Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Shelby counties to sell bonds at private sale through June 30, 2010.

Effective May 18, 2009.

SB1706 – HB1921    Amends various provisions in Title 7, Chapters 32 and 33 to authorize municipalities (including counties) to enter into agreements by which private entities will pay all or a portion of the costs of a public facility being constructed by the municipality if the municipality reasonably anticipates that private investment of at least $25 million will be made on property adjacent to the public facility. Also revises the notice provisions to require that agreements and maps of the area subject to the agreement are to be available to the public at least one week before the hearing to approve the agreement. Allows municipalities to pay the appraised value for the acquisition of real property to be used in connection with public facilities to be constructed or improved by the municipality or other governmental entity. Amends other provisions regarding apportionment of costs, methods and amounts of assessments, and refunding and refinancing bonds.

Effective June 23, 2009.

 

SB 1714 - HB 1679    Amends 68-11-255(a)(1) to expand the facilities where infants can be voluntarily delivered to include emergency medical services facilities, and law enforcement facilities and fire departments that are staffed 24 hours a day.

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 473 - HB 1484    Amends 8-34-302(a) to provide that the firefighter representative to the board of trustees of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System be selected from a list submitted by the Tennessee Professional Firefighters Association.

Effective June 9, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 512    Firefighter Minimum Training Requirements

SB 878 - HB 1246    Amends 4-24-112 to require full-time, part-time, or volunteer firefighters hired or accepted as a firefighter on or after July 1, 2009, by a fire department recognized under Title 68, Chapter 102, Part 3, to must meet minimum training requirements. Exempts firefighters in the fire service on July 1, 2009, and who entered the fire service before June 30, 2004; and firefighters who are certified by a medical doctor as medically or physically unable to complete the training requirements; but the fire department may not allow these firefighters to engage in active firefighting operations. Any firefighter certified by the fire department's chief officer that they will not operate in an environment determined to be immediately dangerous to life and health is exempt from the "live firefighting" portion of the training. Any firefighter in the fire service on July 1, 2009, and who was hired or accepted as a firefighter between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2009, has until July 1, 2012, to show proof of completion of the minimum training requirements. The governmental unit, person, organization, agency or entity which obtained a certificate of recognition from the state fire marshal's office for the fire department is to determine whether it or the firefighter will pay any fees associated with obtaining the required training.

This section does not apply to the following counties unless the county legislative body adopts a resolution to apply such requirements: Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Cocke, Clay, Dickson, Fentress, Giles, Greene, Hamblen, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence*, Lewis*, Loudon, McMinn*, Meigs, Morgan, Overton, Perry*, Pickett, Polk, Roane, Scott, Trousdale, Union, Unicoi, Washington.This section does not apply to the following counties unless the county legislative body adopts by 2/3 vote a resolution to apply such requirements: McMinn*.This section does not apply to the following counties unless the county legislative body adopts by 2/3 vote a resolution to opt into the statutory requirements: Bledsoe, Cumberland, Lawrence*, Lewis*, Rhea.This act does not apply to the following counties: Benton, Decatur, Hancock, Hawkins, Henderson, Henry, Jefferson, Lake, Obion, Perry*, Stewart, Weakley.* Counties listed in more than one section of the bill.

Effective July 1, 2009.

 

SB 1309 – HB1311    Amends 4-3-1016, 54-2-102, and 54-2-103 to remove the department of finance and administration's authority to transfer highway funds to the state general fund.

Effective July 1, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 362    Regional Transportation Authorities

SB1471 – HB1263    Amends Title 64, Chapter 8 to enact a Part 2 to authorize the creation of regional transportation authorities. Specifies that the regional transportation authority of Middle Tennessee shall continue to operate but may elect to exercise the powers, duties and functions under this new Part 2 as well as those found in Part 1 of Title 64, Chapter 8. Sets out the powers, duties and functions of regional transportation authorities operating under this part.  Authorizes cities and counties to levy a tax or assessment that may be dedicated to the regional transportation authority.

Effective June 5, 2009.

 

SB 2357 - HB 2389    Section 30 of this act amends 37-2-205(f) to provide that the department of children's services shall allocate resources for children placed in state custody based on a county's child population and the average state commitment rate per thousand children. In fiscal years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 the department shall pay for a county's commitments of dependent and neglected children and delinquent children until such commitments exceed 300% of the state average commitment rate. When a county exceeds the limit on either dependent and neglected children or delinquent children established in this subdivision, the county shall be billed for the actual daily cost to the state for the duration of the length of stay of such child in state custody. The department shall initiate a collaborative planning process at any such time a county is believed to be likely to exceed 200% of the state average commitment rate.  Upon request of the county or the court, the department shall partner with the county or the court to develop and implement strategies to identify and address underlying problems contributing to over-commitment that may exist in such county. The department shall provide commitment data to the county or the court as needed to prevent a county from exceeding the limits established in this subdivision. Provides that the provisions of subsection (f) shall expire June 30, 2011, unless reauthorized by the general assembly.

Effective June 25, 2009.

SB 2282 - HB 2295    Amends 37-1-128(e)(1) to provide, among other things, that if the court orders the child to be hospitalized in a department of mental health and developmental disabilities facility, hospital or treatment resource, the child shall be placed into the custody of the commissioner of mental health and developmental disabilitiesat the expense of the county for not more than 30 days at a facility, hospital or treatment resource with available, suitable accommodations. Prior to transporting a defendant for such evaluation and treatment in a department facility, the sheriff     or other transportation agent is required to determine that the receiving department facility has available suitable accommodations.

Amends 37-1-150(b) to provide: (1) The cost of transporting a child who has been committed to a state correctional institution on an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult shall be paid by the state. The cost of transportation of a child for mental health examination or evaluation when such examination or evaluation has been ordered by the juvenile court judge for a child charged with commission of an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult shall be paid by the county. (2) The cost of an inpatient mental health examination or evaluation ordered by the juvenile court judge for a child charged with commission of an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult, and the cost incidental to such an examination or evaluation, shall be paid by the city or county.

Amends 37-1-150(d) to provide that if, after due notice to the parents or other persons legally obligated to care for and support the child and after affording them an opportunity to be heard, the court finds that they are financially able to pay all or part of the costs and expenses of the mental evaluation or examination of the child, which have been paid by the city or county pursuant to subsection (b), the court may order them to pay the costs and prescribe the manner of payment. Unless otherwise ordered, payment shall be made to the clerk of the juvenile court for remittance to the person to whom compensation is due, or if the costs and expenses have been paid by the state to the appropriate state officer.

Effective June 25, 2009.

SB 456 - HB 459    Amends Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 5 to authorize the Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges to establish and administer a program to reimburse counties for the costs associated with inpatient mental health evaluations and examinations conducted on juveniles charged with an offense which would constitute a felony if committed by an adult. Such a program is subject to available state funding and may include full or partial reimbursements to counties for the costs of inpatient mental health examinations or evaluations ordered by a juvenile court judge, as well as the costs of transportation of such child for a mental health examination or evaluation. The program may also include reimbursement to counties for costs of detention incurred pursuant to 37-1-116(f) for the purposes of obtaining an outpatient evaluation or examination at a detention facility located in another county.  The council may adopt rules and regulations pursuant to 37-1-502.

Effective August 17, 2009. [Tennessee Constitution, Article II, § 20].

 

SB 429 - HB 598    Amends 8-8-101 to provide that no person shall engage in the practice of law or serve as a member of the general assembly while serving as sheriff.

Effective April 15, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 76    Missing Child Report

SB 110 - HB 483    Amends 37-10-203 to provide that a law enforcement agency reporting a missing child is required to enter, or cause to be entered, the report of the missing child into the national crime information center (NCIC) within two hours of receipt of the missing child report.

Effective April 27, 2009.

SB 032 - HB 046    Amends 39-17-1351 to prohibit the department of safety or any department approved handgun safety course instructor or employee from requiring applicant for handgun carry permit to furnish any identifying information concerning any handgun the applicant owns, possesses or uses during the safety course in order to apply for or be issued a handgun carry permit.

Effective April 27, 2009.

SB 554 - HB 254    Amends 39-17-1316 to delete requirement that the purchaser of a firearm give a thumbprint as part of background check process and that the TBI furnish thumbprint cards and pads to firearm dealers.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 284 - HB 623    Amends 39-13-526 to provide that venue for a violation of community supervision shall be in the county where the person was being supervised at the time of the violation and this shall include those persons placed on supervision in this state but who are being monitored in another state.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 201 - HB 587    Amends 39-17-1317 to provide that the director of a judicial district drug task force may petition the court to dispose of weapons confiscated by the task force. The proceeds from a sale of confiscated weapons shall go into the county or municipal general fund unless the weapon was confiscated by a judicial district drug task force in which case the funds are deposited for the benefit of the task force.

Effective May 5, 2009.

SB 383 - HB 411    Amends 39-17-1316 to create a Class A misdemeanor offense for a person (1) topurchase or attempt to purchase a firearm knowing that such person is prohibited by state or federal law from, owning, possessing or purchasing a firearm, and (2) to sell or offer to sell a firearm to a person knowing that such person is prohibited by state or federal law from, owning, possessing or purchasing a firearm.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 393 - HB 107    Amends 55-8-19     to prohibit the use of a hand held mobile telephone or a hand held personal digital assistant to transmit or read a written message while driving a motor vehicle on any public road or highway. Exempts law enforcement officers, EMTs, firefighters, and EMA officers when in the actual discharge of their official duties.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 2254 - HB 2262    Repeals 37-1-407 to delete authorization for child abuse review teams and amends 37-1-603(b)(1) to removes reference to child abuse review teams.

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 310 - HB 1534    Deletes the requirement in 40-11-126(b) that any listing or description of bondsmen or surety agents in a jail, workhouse, or other correctional facility be done in terms of seniority.

Effective May 20, 2009.

Public Chapter 241    Escape from Custody of Law Enforcement Officer
SB 388 - HB 522    Amends 39-16-605(b) to create new Class A misdemeanor offense of escape from the custody of a law enforcement officer.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 695 - HB 80    Amends 41-4-140 to provide that the standards for the square footage of single- occupancy or multi-occupancy cells in both new and existing local correctional facilities in this state shall be the minimum standards required by the American Correctional Association's Performance-Based Standards for Adult Local Detention Facilities, as amended by the 2008 Standards Supplement.

Effective May 20, 2009.
 
Public Chapter 257    Surrendering Custody of Unwanted Infant

SB 1714 - HB 1679    Amends 68-11-255(a)(1) to expand the facilities where infants can be voluntarily delivered to include emergency medical services facilities, and law enforcement facilities and fire departments that are staffed 24 hours a day.

Effective May 20, 2009.

SB 1517 - HB 1527    Amends 38-7-119(a) to create a new Class A misdemeanor offense for dissemination by any person of any autopsy photographs, videotape or other visual image or any autopsy audio recording without proper authorization.

Effective July 1, 2009.

Public Chapter 282    Scrap Metal and Jewelry Dealers
SB 913 - HB 218    Amends 38-1-201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 to make numerous changes to the law. Requires the purchaser, on each day the purchaser transacts business of the type described within the section, to deliver to the sheriff and the chief of police of each county or municipality in which the business is conducted a copy of the log concerning that day's business, by 12:00 noon of the day following the date of the transaction. The book must be preserved and be open to inspection by law enforcement officers of the city or county. An owner of property alleged to be stolen and in the possession of a buyer or dealer may recover the property by reporting to any law enforcement agency the location of the property and providing proof of ownership of the property, but only if a report of the theft was made to the proper authorities within 30 days after knowledge of the theft or loss and the party asserting ownership agrees to assist in the prosecution of the seller. Upon receipt of proof of ownership, any law enforcement officer is authorized to recover the property from the buyer or dealer, without expense to the rightful owner, unless the buyer or dealer presents evidence of having received proof of ownership of the property by the seller. The buyer or dealer shall not be required to surrender the property to any law enforcement officer or agency or any other person absent an appropriate warrant. If after the local authorities have seized certain property and are unable to locate the rightful owner of the property after due diligence, then the property may be returned to buyer or dealer upon execution of a hold-harmless agreement to the local authorities.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 666 - HB 417    Amends 38-8-118 to provide that an independent contractor who provides on-site security and law enforcement capability for federal government property which is an air force base and home to a development center that is the most advanced and largest complex of flight simulation test facilities in the world may employ one or more persons to act as private special deputies for such purposes. Theindependent contractor shall seek appointment of the employee as a private special deputy by the sheriff of a county where the government property is located, in accordance with 8-8-212. The authority granted to private special deputies extends to all facilities or property over which the independent contractor has been given authority to provide on-site security and law enforcement services.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1992 - HB 1778    Amends 58-1-112(b), 58-2-101 and 58-2-105.  Prohibits confiscations of lawfully possessed firearms and ammunition during periods of martial rule; clarifies firearm and ammunition restriction prohibitions during any state of emergency, major disaster, or natural disaster.

Effective May 21, 2009.

Public Chapter 324    Motor Vehicles
SB 534 - HB 355    Amends 55-10-406 to provide that if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury or death of another has committed a violation of 55-10-401, 39-13-213(a)(2) or 39-13-218, the officer shall cause the driver to be tested for the purpose of determining the alcohol or drug content of such driver's blood. Such test shall be performed in accordance with the procedure set forth in this section and shall be performed regardless of whether the driver does or does not consent to such test.  The results of a test performed in accordance with this subsection may be offered as evidence by either the state or the driver of the vehicle in any court or administrative hearing relating to such accident or offense subject to the Tennessee rules of evidence.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 523 - HB 1832    Enacts 24-1-2 to provide that all communications between a critical incident stress management team member or team leader providing, and a group participant or person participating in, a crisis intervention shall be confidential. No person shall be required to testify or divulge information obtained solely through such crisis intervention, except where: (1) the communication indicates the existence of a danger to the individual who receives crisis response services or to others; (2) the communication indicates the existence of child abuse or neglect. abuse of an adult, or family violence; (3) the communication indicates the existence of acts constituting an intentional tort or crime, provided the statute of limitation has not expired on the act; or (4) all parties involved in the crisis intervention expressly waive the privilege and consent to the testimony.

Effective July 1, 2009. 

SB 1740 - HB 1407    Amends 37-1-406(c) to require private schools and church-related schools, as well as state, county and local agencies, to give a child protection team access to their records and otherwise cooperate fully with the investigation.

Effective June 1, 2009.

SB 1127 - HB 962    Amends 39-17-1305(c) to provide that persons with a handgun carry permit, who are not consuming any alcoholic beverage, may carry their handgun within a restaurant that is open to the public and serves alcoholic beverages.

Effective July 14, 2009.

SB 2150 - HB 2037    Amends 55-12-139(b) to require law enforcement officers to request proof of compliance with financial responsibility laws upon charging a person with any motor vehicle violation, instead of only moving violations.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1419 - HB 1210    Amends 40-6-205 and 40-6-215 to prohibit the issuance of an arrest warrant or criminal summons to the parent or legal guardian of a child who allegedly is the victim of alleged criminal conduct without the written approval of the district attorney general if: (1) the person to be arrested was an employee of a local education agency (LEA) at the time of the alleged offense; and (2) at the time of the alleged conduct the LEA employee had supervisory or disciplinary power over the child.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 539 - HB 351    Amends 39-13-101(b) and 102(d) to set the maximum fine for an assault against a law enforcement officer at $5,000; for aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, the maximum fine is $15,000.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 275 - HB 234    Amends 38-8-116 to provide that a law enforcement officer retired in good standing may use one of the following methods to meet the annual requirements to carry a firearm in the same manner and to the same extent as for an active law enforcement officer to carry a firearm of the same type: (1) obtaining a photo identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service indicating that the individual has, within the previous year, been tested or otherwise found by the agency to meet the standards for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm; (2) meeting the standards established by the POST commission for qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type by qualifying at and obtaining an annual certification directly from the POST commission; or (3) receiving training and verification from a certified firearms instructor at a private shooting range that the retired law enforcement officer has met the standards established by the POST commission for qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type. Requires the POST commission to maintain a list of approved certified firearms instructors for this purpose. The POST Commission is authorized to establish and charge a fee for issuing a certification under the provisions of this section.

Effective June 12, 2009.

SB 578 - HB 390    Amends 39-17-1307 to provide that it is not an offense for a person with a handgun carry permit to transport a rifle or shotgun in or on a privately-owned motor vehicle so long as the rifle or shotgun does not have ammunition in the chamber; such a person does not violate this section by inserting ammunition into the chamber if the ammunition is inserted for justifiable self-defense.

Effective June 12, 2009.

SB 1827 - HB 583    Amends 39-17-703, 704 and 39-11-712 to extend the property subject to forfeiture to include real property and establish certain exemptions in regards to such property; provides forfeiture protections for innocent spouses and other co- owners of forfeited property.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1698 - HB 925    Amends 39-17-1351(e) to provide that any form created by the department to show proof of successful completion of an approved handgun safety course shall not require the applicant to provide the applicant’s social security number.

Effective June 12, 2009.

SB 1610 - HB 1796    Enacts the “Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act” to provide that a personal firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition manufactured in Tennessee and that remains within Tennessee is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce. Requires that a firearm manufactured or sold in Tennessee under this chapter must have the words "Made in Tennessee" clearly stamped on a central metallic part, such as the receiver or frame. [NOTE: This law may be subject to constitutional challenge.]

Effective June 19, 2009.

SB 782 - HB 591    Amends 40-6-303(7) and (19) to redefine “electronic communication” and “wire communication” for certain wiretapping and electronic surveillance offenses.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 651 - HB 792    Enacts 62-35-1     to require each private protective services licensee to submit to the local law enforcement agency of any jurisdiction in which such licensee provides services for a restaurant, as defined in 57-4-102, licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, wine or beer for consumption on the premises, a form promulgated by the commissioner of commerce and insurance notifying the local law enforcement agency that the licensee provides services within the agency's jurisdiction. The form must be submitted with 15 days of the effective date of this act or of the date protective services begin, and must include the name, license number, and armed or unarmed status of each security officer/guard providing services for compensation to the licensee and the name and location of the licensee's clients within the agency's jurisdiction. Information submitted to the local law enforcement agency must be kept current. A local law enforcement agency having knowledge of a violation of these requirements must notify the commissioner, and the commissioner must advise the local law enforcement agency in writing of any action taken in response.

Effective January 1, 2010.

SB 772 - HB 1385    Amends 33-6-901(d) to provide that people with mental illness determined to be a danger to themselves and in need of physical restraint or vehicular security shall be transported by the sheriff or secondary transportation agents designated by the sheriff.  People with a mental illness who are not a danger to themselves or are not in need of physical restraint or vehicular security may be transported by one or more friends, neighbors, other mental health professionals familiar with the person, relatives of the person, or a member of the clergy, provided such persons are willing and able to provide such transport.

Amends 33-6-901(a) to provide that if a physician, psychologist, or designated professional determines to a reasonable degree of professional certainty that the person does not require physical restraint or vehicle security and does not pose a reasonable risk of danger to himself or herself or others, then the sheriff may permit someone other than the sheriff or secondary transportation agent to transport the person, provided that the person provides proof of current automobile insurance. Before a person is transported, the sheriff or other transportation agent shall give notice required by 33-6-406(b), along with the name(s) of the person(s) who will transport the person for admission to a hospital or treatment resource. Persons designated to transport under this section must comply with the requirements of 33-6-406(b)(2) and (3), 33-6-407(c), and must provide the original of the certificate completed under 33-6-404(3)(B)(ii) to the hospital or treatment resource.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 1684 - HB 1430    Amends 67-4-602(h) to impose an additional privilege tax on litigation of $1.00 on all criminal charges, upon conviction or by order, instituted in any state or general sessions court, and creates a special account in the state treasury to be known as the “Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification System Fund.” Also enacts Title 40, Chapter 38, Part 5 to create the “Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification System” to increase the safety of victims of crime by providing access to timely and reliable information about the custody status of offenders in county jails. This information shall be available 24 hours a day over the telephone, through the Internet, or by e-mail. Victims of crime and other concerned citizens can register to be notified immediately in the event of an offender's release, transfer, or escape. The System shall be attached to the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association. All administrative expenses of the program shall be paid from grants and funds the TSA receives pursuant to 40-38-504, and grants authorized from the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification System Fund. Funding for the System shall come from grants, donations, gifts, and appropriations made for that purpose. The department of finance and administration, office of criminal justice programs, is authorized to make an annual grant to the TSA to support implementation and management of the System; provided that the association submits a plan to the office of criminal justice programs specifying the use of the monies, and the plan is approved. The grant shall not exceed $650,000 and is subject to state appropriations. Upon the initial deposit of $34,000 into the victim notification fund from the $1.00 additional privilege tax on litigation, such amount shall be allocated to the Department of Revenue for computer-related expenses required by implementation of this act.

Effective July 1, 2009.

SB 2357 - HB 2389    Section 31 of this act amends 33-1-101 to define “available suitableaccommodations” or “suitable available accommodations” to mean, for the purposes of Title 33, that a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource has the capacity (as reasonably determined by the commissioner) and the medical capability, equipment and staffing to provide an appropriate level of care, treatment and physical security to an individual in an unoccupied and unassigned bed. Section 36 of this act enacts 33-6-108 relative to admissions to a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law to the contrary, all admissions or transfers to a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource shall be subject to “available suitable accommodations” and no admission to a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource shall occur until the department has designated the facility as having available suitable accommodations; provided, if there are no suitable available accommodations at the time of the determination, then the commissioner shall expeditiously find a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource to accommodate the person.

Emergency Involuntary Admission to Inpatient Treatment – Title 33, Chapter 6, Part 4:  Section 37 amends 33-6-404(3)(B) to provide that if admission is sought at a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource, the physician, psychologist or designated professional is required to verify that the state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource has been contacted and has available suitable accommodations, acknowledging such verification in writing. Section 38 amends 33-6-406(a) to provide that if the person certified for admission under 33- 6-404 is not already at the facility, hospital or treatment resource at which the person is proposed to be admitted, the physician, psychologist, or designated professional who completed the certificate of need under 33-6-404 must give the sheriff or designated transportation agent the original of the certificate and turn the person over to the custody of the sheriff or transportation agent who shall transport the person to a hospital or treatment resource that has available suitable accommodations for the person for proceedings under 33-6-407. If admission is sought to a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource, the physician, psychologist, or designated professional who completed the certificate of need must also provide to the sheriff or transportation agent a written statement verifying that the state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource has been contacted and has available suitable accommodations, and the sheriff or transportation agent is not required to take custody of the person for transportation unless both the original of the certificate and the aforementioned written statement are provided.  Failure of the sheriff or other county transportation agen to provide both a certificate of need and the written statement indicating     availability of accommodations to the receiving state hospital or treatment     resource will result in all costs attendant to the person's admission and treatment being assessed to the transporting county.  Section 39 amends 33-6-406(b)(2) to require the sheriff or transportation agent to notify the hospital or treatment resource of the anticipated time of arrival; if the sheriff or transportation agent has given notice and arrives at the hospital or treatment resource within the anticipated time of arrival, then the sheriff or transportation agent is required to remain at the hospital or treatment resource long enough for the person to be evaluated for admission under 33-6-407, but not longer than 1 hour and 45 minutes, after which time the person is the responsibility of the evaluating hospital or treatment resource, and the sheriff or transportation agent may leave.Section 40 repeals 33-6-406(b)(3). Section 41 amends 33-6-407(a) to requires a hospital or treatment resource that receives a person transported under 33-6-406 to have a licensed physician examine the person to determine whether the person is subject to admission under 33-6-403.

 Nonemergency Involuntary Admission to Inpatient Treatment – Title 33, Chapte 6, Part 5: Section 42 amends 33-6-505 to provide that if the court commits a person, the person comes into the commissioner's custody only if the state owned or operated facility or treatment resource has available suitable accommodations; if there are no suitable available accommodations at the time of the determination, then the commissioner must expeditiously find a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource to accommodate the person upon the availability of suitable available accommodations. Prior to transporting a person for such commitment, the sheriff or other transportation agent shall determine that the receiving state owned or operated facility or treatment resource has available suitable accommodations.

Security Units and Forensic Services – Title 33, Chapter 7, Part 1: Section 43 enacts 33-7-104 governing admissions to a state owned or operated facility in criminal cases. All admissions or transfers to a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource under this chapter shall be subject to available suitable accommodations, and no admission to a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource shall occur until the commissioner has designated the state owned or operated facility as having available suitable accommodations; if there are no suitable available accommodations at the time of the determination, then the commissioner must expeditiously find a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource to accommodate the person upon the availability of suitable available accommodations. Prior to transporting a defendant for such evaluation and treatment in a department facility, the sheriff or other transportation agent  shall determine that the receiving facility has available suitable accommodations.

Security Units and Forensic Services –Title 33, Chapter 7, Part 3: Section 44 amends 33-7-301(a)(5) relative to defendants believed incompetent to stand trial or when there is a question about the defendant’s mental capacity at the time of the crime, to provide that prior to transporting a defendant for evaluation and     treatment in a department facility, the sheriff or other transportation agent shall  determine that the receiving department facility has available suitable  accommodations. Section 45 enacts 33-7-304 to provide that the county must pay the cost of evaluation and treatment under Chapter 7, Part 3, if the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor. The court may order the defendant to pay all or part of these costs if the court finds the defendant financially able to pay.  Payment shall be made to the clerk of the general sessions court for remittance to the person, agency or facility to whom compensation is due, or if the costs and expenses have been paid by the county, to the appropriate office of the county.Costs of the care or treatment of any defendant ordered by the court and who is charged with a misdemeanor shall be paid by the state only when specifically provided by law. Section 46 amends 33-7-301(a)(4) to provide that during the post-conviction stage of a criminal proceeding, if it is believed that a defendant is incompetent to assist counsel in preparation for, or otherwise participate in, the post-conviction proceeding, the court may, upon its own motion, order that the defendant be evaluated on either an outpatient or inpatient basis, as may be appropriate. If the defendant is indigent, the amount and payment of the costs for the evaluation will be determined and paid for by the administrative office of thecourts. If the defendant is not indigent, the cost of the evaluation shall be charged as court costs. If the evaluation cannot be done on an outpatient basis and if it is necessary to hospitalize the defendant in a department facility, hospitalization shall not exceed 30 days and shall be subject to available suitable accommodations. Prior to transporting a defendant for such evaluation and treatment in a department facility, the sheriff or other transportation agent shall determine that the receiving department facility has available suitable accommodations.  Any costs incurred by the administrative office of the courts shall be absorbed within the current appropriation for the indigent defense fund. In a post-conviction proceeding in a capital case, if there is a question on the defendant's mental condition at the time of the commission of the crime when there has been no such prior evaluation, or a question as to whether the defendant is mentally retarded, the court may, upon its own motion, or upon petition by the district attorney general or by the attorney for the defendant, and, if the matter is contested, after a hearing, order that the defendant be evaluated on an outpatient basis. If the outpatient evaluator concludes that an inpatient evaluation is necessary, the court may order the defendant hospitalized not more than 30 days. Section 47 amends 33-7-301(b)(5) to provide that if the court enters an order of judicial hospitalization, the defendant shall be transferred to the custody of the commissioner, and if the court finds in addition that the defendant is substantially likely to injure the defendant or others if the defendant is not treated in a forensic services unit and that treatment in the unit is in the defendant's best interests, the defendant shall be transferred to the custody of the commissioner at a forensic services unit designated by the commissioner.  If the court commits a person under this subsection (b), the person comes into the commissioner's custody only if the forensic services unit has available suitable accommodations; provided, if there are no suitable available accommodations at the time of the determination, then the commissioner must expeditiously find a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource to accommodate the person upon the availability of suitable available accommodations. Prior to transporting a defendant for such commitment, the sheriff or other transportation agent shall determine that the receiving facility has available suitable accommodations.  Section 48 amends 33- 7-303(a) to provide that when a person charged with a criminal offense is acquitted of the charge on a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of commission of the offense, the criminal court shall order the person to be diagnosed and evaluated on an outpatient basis.  The evaluation shall be performed by the community mental health agency or licensed private practitioner designated by the commissioner to serve the court. Section 49 amends 33-7- 303(b) to provide that following diagnosis and evaluation, if certification is provided that the person is committable under Chapter 6, Part 5 of this title, the district attorney general shall file a complaint in criminal court for judicial commitment. If certification is not provided that the person is committable, the district attorney general shall file a complaint in the criminal court for an order requiring the person to participate in outpatient treatment. Section 50 amends 33- 7-303(c)(3) to provide that if the court commits a person under this subsection (c), the person comes into the commissioner's custody only if the commissioner determines that a facility has available suitable accommodations; provided, if there are no suitable available accommodations at the time of the determination, then the commissioner must expeditiously find a state owned or operated hospital or treatment resource to accommodate the person upon the availability of suitable available accommodations. Prior to transporting a defendant for commitment in a department facility, the sheriff or other transportation agent shall determine that the receiving facility has available suitable accommodations. Section 51 amends 33-7-303(f) to provide that the cost of treatment incurred as a result of the outpatient treatment and evaluation required in subsection (b)(3) shall be taxed as court costs.

Effective June 25, 2009. Section 46 of this act shall take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2009.

SB 2236 - HB 2249    Amends 39-17-1301 to add definitions of (1) adjudication, (2) judicial commitment, and (3) mental institution. Amends 39-17-1316(a)(1) to provide that any person licensed by the federal government may stock and sell firearms; however, sales to persons who have been convicted of the offense of stalking, who are addicted to alcohol, who are ineligible to receive firearms under 18U.S.C. § 922, or who have been judicially committed to a mental institution or adjudicated as a mental defective are prohibited. The offense of violation of a protective order shall be considered a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” for purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 921. 

Amends 39-17-1351(c)(2) to provide, regarding handgun carry permit eligibility requirements, that the applicant has not been adjudicated as a mental defective; has not been judicially committed to or hospitalized in a mental institution pursuant to Title 33; has not had a court appoint a conservator for the applicant by reason of a mental defect; has not been judicially determined to be disabled by reason of mental illness, developmental disability or other mental incapacity; and has not, within 7 years from the date of application, been found by a court to pose an immediate substantial likelihood of serious harm because of mental illness. Amends 39-17-1351(i) to require the department to deny a permit if it determines from information in criminal history record checks conducted by the TBI and FBI, from information from the clerks of court regarding individuals adjudicated as a mental defective or judicially committed to a mental institution, or from otherinformation, that the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements. The department is not required to confirm the applicant's eligibility for a permit beyond the information received from the TBI and FBI, clerks of court, and sheriffs, if any. Amends 39-17-1352(a) to require the department to suspend or revoke a handgun permit upon a showing that the permit holder has been judicially committed to a mental institution or has been adjudicated as a mental defective.

Effective January 1, 2010.

SB 532 - HB 346    Enacts 38-6-121, the Missing Senior Citizen Alert Program.  The program will be coordinated by local law enforcement agencies which may seek the assistance of non-profit organizations such as A Child is Missing or the Alzheimer’s Association. Defines “missing senior citizen” as a person: (1) whose whereabouts are unknown; (2) who is 60 years of age or older and has an impaired mental condition; and (3) who is believed to be in danger because of age, health, mental or physical disability, in combination with environmental or weather conditions, or is believed to be unable to return to safety without assistance. When a local law enforcement agency receives notice that a senior citizen is missing, the agency may require the senior citizen's family or legal guardian to provide documentation, including medical records, if available, of the senior citizen's impaired mental condition. Once the local law enforcement agency verifies that the senior citizen is missing, the local law enforcement may notify A Child is Missing, the Alzheimer’s Association, or any other such non-profit assistance program, to activate its alert program.  Requires the local law enforcement to enter the report of the missing senior citizen with an impaired mental condition into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) within 4 hours of the completion of the verification process. The alert may be sent to designated media outlets in Tennessee at the discretion of the local law enforcement agency. The alert shall be cancelled by local law enforcement agency upon notification that the missing senior citizen has been found, including cancellation of the missing person entry in NCIC.

Effective August 17, 2009. [Tennessee Constitution, Article II, § 20].

SB 511 - HB 1120    Amends 40-39-211(d) to revise the restrictions on where sexual offenders may reside, work, or visit. No sexual offender or violent sexual offender shall knowingly: (A) be upon or remain on the premises of any building or grounds of any public school, private or parochial school, licensed day care center, other child care facility, public park, playground, recreation center or public athletic field available for use by the general public in this state when the offender has reason to believe children under 18 years of age are present; (B) stand, sit idly, whether or not the offender is in a vehicle, or remain within 1,000 feet of the property line of, or any building owned or operated by, any public school, private or parochial school, licensed day care center, other child care facility, public park, playground, recreation center or public athletic field available for use by the general public in this state when children under 18 years of age are present, while not having a reason or relationship involving custody of or responsibility for a child or any other specific or legitimate reason for being there; or (C) be in any conveyance owned, leased or contracted by a school, licensed day care center, other child care facility, or recreation center to transport students to or from school, day care, child care, or a recreation center or any related activity thereof when children under 18 years of age are present in the conveyance. Subdivision (d)(1) does not apply when the offender: (A) is a student in attendance at the school; (B) is attending a conference or other scheduled event with school, day care, child care, park, playground, or recreation center officials as a parent or legal guardian of a child who is enrolled and participating in the conference or other scheduled event of the school, day care center, other child care center, park, playground or recreation center (Note: This exemption does not apply if the victim of the offender's sexual offense or violent sexual offense was a minor at the time of the offense and the victim is enrolled in the school, day care center, recreation center or other child care center that is participating in the conference or other scheduled event.); (C) resides at a state licensed or certified facility for incarceration, health or convalescent care; or (D) is dropping off or picking up a child or children and the person is the child or children's parent or legal guardian.

Effective August 17, 2009. [Tennessee Constitution, Article II, § 20].

SB 1273 - HB 898    Amends 39-17-1350(c) to provide that the authority to carry firearms at all times and in all places within Tennessee, on-duty or off-duty, regardless of the officer's regular duty hours or assignments does not extend to a law enforcement officer:(1) who is not engaged in the actual discharge of official duties as a law enforcement officer and carries a firearm onto school grounds or inside a school building during regular school hours unless the officer immediately informs the principal that the officer will be present on school grounds or inside the school building and in possession of a firearm (if the principal is unavailable, the notice may be given to an appropriate administrative staff person in the principal's office); (2) who is consuming beer or an alcoholic beverage or who is under the influence of beer, an alcoholic beverage, or a controlled substance; or (3) who is not engaged in the actual discharge of official duties as a law enforcement officer while attending a judicial proceeding. [NOTE: This change in the law allows full time state law enforcement officers and full time POST certified law enforcement officers to carry a firearm while within the confines of an establishment where beer or alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on-the-premises.]

Effective July 9, 2009.

SB 1519 - HB 961    Amends 70-4-117 and 70-5-101 to authorize a person with a handgun carry permit to possess a handgun the entire year while on the premises of any refuge, public hunting area, wildlife management area or, to the extent permitted by federal law, national forest land maintained by the state. Does not authorize a person to use a handgun to hunt unless in full compliance with all wildlife laws, rules and regulations, and does not authorize a person with a hand gun carry permit to possess the weapon in the portion of any refuge, public hunting area or wildlife management area that is within the boundaries of a state park or state natural area unless otherwise authorized in accordance with state law.

Effective July 9, 2009.