Governor Haslam Vetos "Ag-Gag" Bill
Monday, May 13, 2013
Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam vetoed the "Ag-Gag" bill that recently passed both the House and Senate. The legislation would have required video footage of animal abuse to be turned over to law enforcement within 48 hours of the witness of the abuse. Governor Haslam cited constitutionality concerns as the reason for his veto.
The Humane Society of the United States along with several celebrities, including Carrie Underwood, had lobbied Haslam to exercise his veto of the legislation. The Governor's office said they received over 5,000 phone calls and 16,000 emails on the legislation, mostly in opposition to the bill.
Governor Haslam released the following statement:
"Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Tennessee. Farmers play a vital role in our state's economy, heritage and history. I understand their concerns about large scale attacks on their livelihoods. I also appreciate that the types of recordings this bill targets may be obtained at times under false pretenses, which I think is wrong," Haslam said.
"Our office has spent a great deal of time considering this legislation. We've had a lot of input from people on all sides of the issue. After careful consideration, I am going to veto the legislation. Some vetoes are made solely on policy grounds. Other vetoes may be the result of wanting the General Assembly to reconsider the legislation for a number of reasons. My veto here is more along the lines of the latter. I have a number of concerns.
"First, the Attorney General says the law is constitutionally suspect. Second, it appears to repeal parts of Tennessee's Shield Law without saying so. If that is the case, it should say so. Third, there are concerns from some district attorneys that the act actually makes it more difficult to prosecute animal cruelty cases, which would be an unintended consequence.
"For these reasons, I am vetoing HB1191/SB1248, and I respectfully encourage the General Assembly to reconsider this issue."
More Stories |
-
Read More
-
The United Fall Finale that is scheduled for November 16-18, 2024, in Tunica, Mississippi is happy to release their class schedule.
Read More
-
On September 16th, our great friend Milly Player transitioned from this life into eternal peace...
Read More
-
The East Tennessee Fall Classic, scheduled for October 19-21, has selected Brent Coburn, Chris Pickel and Roger Varney to mark the cards for this year's event. The show will be held at the Smoky Mountain Expo Center in White Pine, Tennessee.
Read More
-
The following was read at the Cascade High School Homecoming Game on Friday, September 15, 2023:
Our flag horse tonight is My Diamonds and Pearls. She is presented by Madison Wilson. Owned by Christie Scrivner, My Diamonds and Pearls is a four-time Reserve World Champion Tennessee Walking Horse.
Read More
-
The Walking Horse Report has recently learned of the passing of former trainer and long time horse enthusiast Scott Benham. Benham passed away on September 1, 2023 in California.
Read More
-
Selmer “Peanut” Taylor, age 85, passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023 at his residence. He was a native and lifelong resident of Rutherford County. He served in the United States Air Force.
Read More
-
Read More
-
Read More
-
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Turman G. Meadows at the home of his son Keegan Russell Meadows, and his fiancé’ David “Brent” Arrington in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where Turman and his wife of many years Raymona resided in, on August 25th, 2023, at the age of 67.
Read More
|