I hope you enjoy this week's Capitol Hill Review !
Capitol Hill Review
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Go to my website http://www.debramaggart.com/ and click on "Flood Update" to learn about how to protect yourself from Contractor Scams and FEMA Fraud.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
'Memorial Day Celebration & Remembrance - May 31st at 11:30am'
'Memorial Day Celebration & Remembrance - May 31st at 11:30am'
Sumner County Administration Building
355 N. Belvedere Drive, Gallatin, Tennessee
I hope you will attend this Celebration as we remember our Armed Forces and their sacrifices for our freedom. Look forward to seeing you there!
Sumner County Administration Building
355 N. Belvedere Drive, Gallatin, Tennessee
I hope you will attend this Celebration as we remember our Armed Forces and their sacrifices for our freedom. Look forward to seeing you there!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
This week's Capitol Hill Review
Read my legislative update, Capitol Hill Review, by visiting my website at www.debramaggart.com or clicking the link below.
Home
You can sign up for these updates by emailing me at rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.gov
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You can sign up for these updates by emailing me at rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.gov
Sunday, April 11, 2010
PHYSICIAN NOTIFICATION LEGISLATION
PHYSICIAN NOTIFICATION LEGISLATION
TO BE HEARD BY HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Medication Therapy Monitoring and Management Act (HB 2655) will be heard in the House Health Committee on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.
The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville), would establish a process by which doctors can request notification from a pharmacy for any changes to their patients’ prescriptions.
“The intent of House Bill 2655 is simple,” said Maggart. “Its sole purpose is to increase communication between the pharmacist, doctor and patient on drugs that require close monitoring. My co-sponsor, Sen. Diane Black, and Rep. Shepard and I have spent the past year listening to the concerns of patients who take these so-called critical dose drugs. All they ask is that their physician to be notified if their medication must change”
Notification is a tool that doctors may use to manage and monitor their patients’ critical dose therapy. Critical dose drugs are those in which a small difference in dose concentration can lead to serious consequences. Examples of such drugs include blood thinners, thyroid medications, Lithium, and anti-rejection drugs for organ transplants.
The act will not inhibit a pharmacist’s ability to substitute one drug for another. Nor will it cause a delay in getting medication to the patient. In fact, the notification to the prescribing doctor can be made after the prescription has been filled. Doctors can choose whether to be notified at the time they write the prescription.
“Consumers are craving more control of and more involvement in their health care,” Maggart said. “This legislation is an easy way to give them that control by enhancing the relationship between patient, doctor and pharmacist.”
Rep. Maggart invites anyone who is interested in the legislation to contact her at (615) 741-3893, or via e-mail at rep.debra.maagart@capitol.tn.gov.
The Senate General Welfare, Health & Human Resources Committee passed the companion bill (SB 2639), sponsored by Sen. Diane Black, on March 10.
###
TO BE HEARD BY HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Medication Therapy Monitoring and Management Act (HB 2655) will be heard in the House Health Committee on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.
The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville), would establish a process by which doctors can request notification from a pharmacy for any changes to their patients’ prescriptions.
“The intent of House Bill 2655 is simple,” said Maggart. “Its sole purpose is to increase communication between the pharmacist, doctor and patient on drugs that require close monitoring. My co-sponsor, Sen. Diane Black, and Rep. Shepard and I have spent the past year listening to the concerns of patients who take these so-called critical dose drugs. All they ask is that their physician to be notified if their medication must change”
Notification is a tool that doctors may use to manage and monitor their patients’ critical dose therapy. Critical dose drugs are those in which a small difference in dose concentration can lead to serious consequences. Examples of such drugs include blood thinners, thyroid medications, Lithium, and anti-rejection drugs for organ transplants.
The act will not inhibit a pharmacist’s ability to substitute one drug for another. Nor will it cause a delay in getting medication to the patient. In fact, the notification to the prescribing doctor can be made after the prescription has been filled. Doctors can choose whether to be notified at the time they write the prescription.
“Consumers are craving more control of and more involvement in their health care,” Maggart said. “This legislation is an easy way to give them that control by enhancing the relationship between patient, doctor and pharmacist.”
Rep. Maggart invites anyone who is interested in the legislation to contact her at (615) 741-3893, or via e-mail at rep.debra.maagart@capitol.tn.gov.
The Senate General Welfare, Health & Human Resources Committee passed the companion bill (SB 2639), sponsored by Sen. Diane Black, on March 10.
###
Bill banning sexual predators from practicing medicine passes unanimously
Dear Friends:
This past Monday evening, the House unanimously passed legislation I sponsored that prohibits the Board of Medical Examiners from issuing a license to practice medicine in Tennessee to anyone convicted of and registered as a violent sexual offender. The bill sponsored by Sen. Black passed the Senate unanimously in late March. Sen. Black & I continue to work together to make Tennessee a safe place for our children from sexual predators.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the State House. Below you will find my legislative update. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information.
Sincerely,
Debra
The Tennessee General Assembly
House of Representatives
CAPITOL HILL REVIEW
A weekly wrap-up of legislative news
April 5th – April 8th, 2010
Bill banning sexual predators from practicing medicine passes unanimously
On Monday evening, the House unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Debra Maggart that prohibits the Board of Medical Examiners from issuing a license to practice medicine in Tennessee to anyone convicted of and registered as a violent sexual offender. The bill sponsored by Sen. Diane Black passed the Senate unanimously in late March.
In addition to prohibiting violent sexual offenders from practicing any kind of medicine, the bill also requires the board to hold a hearing regarding any application to practice medicine from a non-violent sexual offender. During the hearing the medical board has to consider the extent to which the applicant poses a risk to patients before determining whether or not to grant a medical license.
Bill to ensure fiscal accuracy passes House
This week legislators passed a measure requiring the audit of fiscal notes after the end of each legislative session in an effort to help ensure their accuracy. Fiscal notes are official estimates given to the cost associated with each proposed piece of legislation. The audits will compare the estimated cost of the legislation as stated by the official fiscal note to the actual cost of implementing the law change by its affected agency or department. Having already passed the Senate, the bill is now on its way to the Governor.
Fiscal notes are written by the Legislative Fiscal Review Committee, and are often the subject of debate and can impact the outcome of legislation due to the estimated cost. Any piece of legislation with a fiscal note that indicates even $1 of cost must go through the Budget Subcommittee and Finance Committees, an added step to the legislative process. The Fiscal Review Committee bases fiscal notes on cost estimates given to them by the affected governmental agency or department.
Republican leaders ask Bredesen to reconsider state employee bonuses
House Republican leaders sent a letter to Governor Bredesen this week asking him to reconsider the state employee bonus plan in the current proposed budget. The leaders said members are concerned about handing out bonuses to all state employees, while laying off others. In addition, they stated they felt it was inappropriate that many state employees at the top of the pay scale stand to receive $4,000 to $5,000 bonuses as lawmakers struggle to find ways to balance the budget.
The Governor proposed an across the board three percent bonus for all state employees including those top executive cabinet members who make $130,000 to $180,000. The estimated cost to the state for the bonuses is $164 million. In a year where lawmakers are watching every penny, Republican leaders question whether or not bonuses are appropriate.
The letter went on to say, “We recognize that state employees play a critical role in the day to day operation of this state, however, we question whether $164 million in three percent employee bonuses are appropriate in a year when so many cuts and reductions in state departments and programs are necessary.”
The letter was sent to the Governor’s office Thursday afternoon, as lawmakers wait for the Governor’s supplemental budget amendment which is scheduled to be released on April 15th.
Committee discusses eminent domain proposal
Legislation that would strengthen the state’s eminent domain laws was discussed at length in the House Judiciary Committee this week. House Bill 3338 would entitle property owners to recoup certain costs incurred in contesting eminent domain action from the condemning authority. The bill was amended to allow for non-binding arbitration to reduce time and cost for small businesses.
The Republican sponsor of the bill argued that abusive practices are not currently discouraged. If the bill is successful, it would give property owners a better opportunity to defend themselves. The meeting was adjourned before a vote was taken on the legislation, which is scheduled again for next Wednesday.
Race to the Top allocations to
school systems announced
The Tennessee Department of Education released tentative totals this week as to how much money each school system in the state can expect as a result of winning the “Race to the Top” program. State officials said the numbers are tentative, as they will be traveling to Washington soon to finalize the details regarding the specific dollar amount the state will receive.
The state is set to receive approximately $500 million. About $250 million of that will be divided between school systems across the state. Each individual school system must decide what the money will be used for, although the program does have certain restrictions. Funds cannot be used for facilities, capital projects, buses, or raises. To find out how much the school system in your community will tentatively receive, contact your state representative’s office.
Tennessee ‘middle of the pack’ in census returns
The United States Census Bureau reported this week that Tennessee’s participation rate is estimated at roughly 64 percent, putting the state in the middle of the pack in regards to return rates. Because federal funding for money returning to Tennessee is based upon the population as counted by the census, it is important that all Tennesseans respond.
Some areas with low return rates will see additional census forms mailed to their homes after research showed re-sending forms could increase the response rate by 7 to 10 percent. The U.S. Census Bureau said if people filled out and returned a form but receive another, they should destroy the duplicate.
The Week Ahead
HOUSE SESSION: 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 12, 2010 in the House Chambers
HOUSE SESSION: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010 in the House Chambers
HOUSE SESSION: 9:00 a.m. Thursday, April 15, 2010 in the House Chambers
Tuesday, April 13
Committee Room Time
Calendar and Rules Legislative Plaza 16 8:00 A.M.
Commerce Legislative Plaza 16 9:15 A.M.
Agriculture Legislative Plaza 29 9:15 A.M.
Health and Human Resources Legislative Plaza 16 10:30 A.M.
Children and Family Affairs Legislative Plaza 31 12:00 P.M.
State and Local Government Legislative Plaza 16 12:00 P.M.
Finance, Ways, and Means Legislative Plaza 16 2:00 P.M.
Conservation Legislative Plaza 29 2:00 P.M.
Transportation Legislative Plaza 16 3:30 P.M.
Civil Practice Legislative Plaza 31 3:30 P.M.
Judiciary Legislative Plaza 31 3:30 P.M.
Wednesday, April 14
Committee Room Time
Calendar and Rules Legislative Plaza 16 8:00 A.M.
Consumer and Employee Affairs Legislative Plaza 29 8:30 A.M.
Government Operations Legislative Plaza 30 10:00 A.M.
Industrial Impact Legislative Plaza 31 10:00 A.M.
Education Legislative Plaza 16 11:00 A.M.
Budget Sub. Legislative Plaza 29 11:00 A.M.
This past Monday evening, the House unanimously passed legislation I sponsored that prohibits the Board of Medical Examiners from issuing a license to practice medicine in Tennessee to anyone convicted of and registered as a violent sexual offender. The bill sponsored by Sen. Black passed the Senate unanimously in late March. Sen. Black & I continue to work together to make Tennessee a safe place for our children from sexual predators.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the State House. Below you will find my legislative update. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information.
Sincerely,
Debra
The Tennessee General Assembly
House of Representatives
CAPITOL HILL REVIEW
A weekly wrap-up of legislative news
April 5th – April 8th, 2010
Bill banning sexual predators from practicing medicine passes unanimously
On Monday evening, the House unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Debra Maggart that prohibits the Board of Medical Examiners from issuing a license to practice medicine in Tennessee to anyone convicted of and registered as a violent sexual offender. The bill sponsored by Sen. Diane Black passed the Senate unanimously in late March.
In addition to prohibiting violent sexual offenders from practicing any kind of medicine, the bill also requires the board to hold a hearing regarding any application to practice medicine from a non-violent sexual offender. During the hearing the medical board has to consider the extent to which the applicant poses a risk to patients before determining whether or not to grant a medical license.
Bill to ensure fiscal accuracy passes House
This week legislators passed a measure requiring the audit of fiscal notes after the end of each legislative session in an effort to help ensure their accuracy. Fiscal notes are official estimates given to the cost associated with each proposed piece of legislation. The audits will compare the estimated cost of the legislation as stated by the official fiscal note to the actual cost of implementing the law change by its affected agency or department. Having already passed the Senate, the bill is now on its way to the Governor.
Fiscal notes are written by the Legislative Fiscal Review Committee, and are often the subject of debate and can impact the outcome of legislation due to the estimated cost. Any piece of legislation with a fiscal note that indicates even $1 of cost must go through the Budget Subcommittee and Finance Committees, an added step to the legislative process. The Fiscal Review Committee bases fiscal notes on cost estimates given to them by the affected governmental agency or department.
Republican leaders ask Bredesen to reconsider state employee bonuses
House Republican leaders sent a letter to Governor Bredesen this week asking him to reconsider the state employee bonus plan in the current proposed budget. The leaders said members are concerned about handing out bonuses to all state employees, while laying off others. In addition, they stated they felt it was inappropriate that many state employees at the top of the pay scale stand to receive $4,000 to $5,000 bonuses as lawmakers struggle to find ways to balance the budget.
The Governor proposed an across the board three percent bonus for all state employees including those top executive cabinet members who make $130,000 to $180,000. The estimated cost to the state for the bonuses is $164 million. In a year where lawmakers are watching every penny, Republican leaders question whether or not bonuses are appropriate.
The letter went on to say, “We recognize that state employees play a critical role in the day to day operation of this state, however, we question whether $164 million in three percent employee bonuses are appropriate in a year when so many cuts and reductions in state departments and programs are necessary.”
The letter was sent to the Governor’s office Thursday afternoon, as lawmakers wait for the Governor’s supplemental budget amendment which is scheduled to be released on April 15th.
Committee discusses eminent domain proposal
Legislation that would strengthen the state’s eminent domain laws was discussed at length in the House Judiciary Committee this week. House Bill 3338 would entitle property owners to recoup certain costs incurred in contesting eminent domain action from the condemning authority. The bill was amended to allow for non-binding arbitration to reduce time and cost for small businesses.
The Republican sponsor of the bill argued that abusive practices are not currently discouraged. If the bill is successful, it would give property owners a better opportunity to defend themselves. The meeting was adjourned before a vote was taken on the legislation, which is scheduled again for next Wednesday.
Race to the Top allocations to
school systems announced
The Tennessee Department of Education released tentative totals this week as to how much money each school system in the state can expect as a result of winning the “Race to the Top” program. State officials said the numbers are tentative, as they will be traveling to Washington soon to finalize the details regarding the specific dollar amount the state will receive.
The state is set to receive approximately $500 million. About $250 million of that will be divided between school systems across the state. Each individual school system must decide what the money will be used for, although the program does have certain restrictions. Funds cannot be used for facilities, capital projects, buses, or raises. To find out how much the school system in your community will tentatively receive, contact your state representative’s office.
Tennessee ‘middle of the pack’ in census returns
The United States Census Bureau reported this week that Tennessee’s participation rate is estimated at roughly 64 percent, putting the state in the middle of the pack in regards to return rates. Because federal funding for money returning to Tennessee is based upon the population as counted by the census, it is important that all Tennesseans respond.
Some areas with low return rates will see additional census forms mailed to their homes after research showed re-sending forms could increase the response rate by 7 to 10 percent. The U.S. Census Bureau said if people filled out and returned a form but receive another, they should destroy the duplicate.
The Week Ahead
HOUSE SESSION: 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 12, 2010 in the House Chambers
HOUSE SESSION: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010 in the House Chambers
HOUSE SESSION: 9:00 a.m. Thursday, April 15, 2010 in the House Chambers
Tuesday, April 13
Committee Room Time
Calendar and Rules Legislative Plaza 16 8:00 A.M.
Commerce Legislative Plaza 16 9:15 A.M.
Agriculture Legislative Plaza 29 9:15 A.M.
Health and Human Resources Legislative Plaza 16 10:30 A.M.
Children and Family Affairs Legislative Plaza 31 12:00 P.M.
State and Local Government Legislative Plaza 16 12:00 P.M.
Finance, Ways, and Means Legislative Plaza 16 2:00 P.M.
Conservation Legislative Plaza 29 2:00 P.M.
Transportation Legislative Plaza 16 3:30 P.M.
Civil Practice Legislative Plaza 31 3:30 P.M.
Judiciary Legislative Plaza 31 3:30 P.M.
Wednesday, April 14
Committee Room Time
Calendar and Rules Legislative Plaza 16 8:00 A.M.
Consumer and Employee Affairs Legislative Plaza 29 8:30 A.M.
Government Operations Legislative Plaza 30 10:00 A.M.
Industrial Impact Legislative Plaza 31 10:00 A.M.
Education Legislative Plaza 16 11:00 A.M.
Budget Sub. Legislative Plaza 29 11:00 A.M.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Guest editorial: Safety outweighs right to privacy
By State Reps. Debra Maggart and Henry Fincher • April 7, 2010
Crimes against children are despicable and evoke our strongest emotions. All decent people want to protect and help our children grow up safe and happy. Likewise, when our children make mistakes, we want them to learn a lesson and not repeat that mistake.
Juvenile crime brings desires into conflict. Violent juvenile sexual offenders are the subject of a legislative debate right now, and this issue evokes strong and passionate emotions from both sides.
Adult sexual offenders are put on a public registry and are subject to strict limitations on where they can live and how they must conduct themselves in our society. Certain violent sex offenders cannot work around schools, day care centers, parks and other public areas. These laws help protect our children from being victimized.
Right now, juvenile sex offenders are treated very differently, regardless of their crimes. Rapists, child molesters and sexual predators are not subject to public registration requirements as juveniles.
We want to fix that. Our bill puts the worst juvenile offenders on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.
We believe that the public has the right to know when a rapist or a sexual predator lives in their neighborhood. As parents, we do not care if a sex offender living nearby is 15 or 51; we want to know about it so we can take the appropriate precautions to protect our families.
Our bill puts the most violent juvenile sex offenders ages 14 and up on the public registry. The offender has to receive a juvenile conviction for one of the most egregious sex crimes in our laws — rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, rape and aggravated sexual battery with a weapon. These convictions are called "adjudications" and only happen after a full trial is held before a juvenile judge who finds that the offender committed these crimes beyond a reasonable doubt, or after the offender pleads guilty.
The offenders are then evaluated by a team of child mental health experts who rate their likelihood of re-offending. If they are deemed a "high risk" of re-offending, they would go on the registry. These offenders would continue to receive treatment while in custody. More than 32 states place juveniles on a sex offender registry.
Tennessee Code Section 37-1-153 makes a juvenile's serious crimes public record. But common sense dictates that the public should have a convenient and accessible way to see them.
Some well-intentioned people claim that by posting these rapists' pictures and names on the Internet, we are stigmatizing them. Some argue that the registry does not deter crime. That is not its intent. Tennessee law states, "It is a compelling and necessary public interest that the public have information concerning persons convicted of sexual offenses to allow members of the public to adequately protect themselves and their children from these persons." Further, there is evidence that Tennesseans do just that: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports that the Tennessee registry receives over 10,000 visits per day.
While these concerns are worthy of consideration in some offenders, the public's right to know where these violent predators live outweighs their right to privacy. If we can save one child from being victimized by a violent sexual predator by making the public aware and vigilant, this law will have served its purpose.
State Rep. Debra Maggart is a Republican from Hendersonville. State Rep. Henry Fincher is a Democrat from Cookeville.
By State Reps. Debra Maggart and Henry Fincher • April 7, 2010
Crimes against children are despicable and evoke our strongest emotions. All decent people want to protect and help our children grow up safe and happy. Likewise, when our children make mistakes, we want them to learn a lesson and not repeat that mistake.
Juvenile crime brings desires into conflict. Violent juvenile sexual offenders are the subject of a legislative debate right now, and this issue evokes strong and passionate emotions from both sides.
Adult sexual offenders are put on a public registry and are subject to strict limitations on where they can live and how they must conduct themselves in our society. Certain violent sex offenders cannot work around schools, day care centers, parks and other public areas. These laws help protect our children from being victimized.
Right now, juvenile sex offenders are treated very differently, regardless of their crimes. Rapists, child molesters and sexual predators are not subject to public registration requirements as juveniles.
We want to fix that. Our bill puts the worst juvenile offenders on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.
We believe that the public has the right to know when a rapist or a sexual predator lives in their neighborhood. As parents, we do not care if a sex offender living nearby is 15 or 51; we want to know about it so we can take the appropriate precautions to protect our families.
Our bill puts the most violent juvenile sex offenders ages 14 and up on the public registry. The offender has to receive a juvenile conviction for one of the most egregious sex crimes in our laws — rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, rape and aggravated sexual battery with a weapon. These convictions are called "adjudications" and only happen after a full trial is held before a juvenile judge who finds that the offender committed these crimes beyond a reasonable doubt, or after the offender pleads guilty.
The offenders are then evaluated by a team of child mental health experts who rate their likelihood of re-offending. If they are deemed a "high risk" of re-offending, they would go on the registry. These offenders would continue to receive treatment while in custody. More than 32 states place juveniles on a sex offender registry.
Tennessee Code Section 37-1-153 makes a juvenile's serious crimes public record. But common sense dictates that the public should have a convenient and accessible way to see them.
Some well-intentioned people claim that by posting these rapists' pictures and names on the Internet, we are stigmatizing them. Some argue that the registry does not deter crime. That is not its intent. Tennessee law states, "It is a compelling and necessary public interest that the public have information concerning persons convicted of sexual offenses to allow members of the public to adequately protect themselves and their children from these persons." Further, there is evidence that Tennesseans do just that: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports that the Tennessee registry receives over 10,000 visits per day.
While these concerns are worthy of consideration in some offenders, the public's right to know where these violent predators live outweighs their right to privacy. If we can save one child from being victimized by a violent sexual predator by making the public aware and vigilant, this law will have served its purpose.
State Rep. Debra Maggart is a Republican from Hendersonville. State Rep. Henry Fincher is a Democrat from Cookeville.
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