March 6, 2017 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House
On Tuesday February 28th, the House and Senate returned to work for the 7th day of the session. Here are a few highlights:
- On Tuesday (7th day of session): The House passed several bills of local application only, and general bills to authorize the hunting of whitetail deer or feral swine by means of bait; to exempt from competitive bids the purchase of electronic data bases of manuscripts, books, maps, pamphlets or periodicals; and to clarify the authority of the Community College System to acquire and dispose of property and to participate in the TRS and PEEHIP. The Senate passed sunset bills to continue a number of state boards and agencies, such as the State Board of Pharmacy, Dental Examiners Board, the Board of Nursing and the Nursing Home Administrators Board of Examiners.
- On Wednesday (committee day): The House Judiciary Committee approved bills to require the Department of Human Resources to place the infant of a dependent minor mother with the minor mother in foster care and to require a parenting plan in all cases involving child custody. The House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee approved a bill to require licensing of all child care facilities to ensure uniform safety for children in care. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to prohibit the possession of a firearm at certain places to include persons with a valid pistol permit. The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee approved a bill to provide a $5,000 income tax credit to certain rural certified registered nurse practitioners.
- On Thursday (8th day of session): The House passed several bills of local application only that include the establishment of a cemetery board for Jefferson County and passed general bills to extended limited immunity to non-profit affiliates of Public Housing authorities and to authorize warrantless arrest for persons trespassing on property of an educational institution. The Senate passed a number of sunset bills to continue the operation of state boards, commissions and agencies including the Board of Optometry, the Interior Designers Board, the Marriage and Family Therapy Board, the Board of Podiatry and the Home Builders Licensure Board.
