Legislative Scorecard

Tennessee Conservation Voters

2007

2021 21st Avenue S.

Suite 431N

ashville, Tennessee 37212

T 615-269-9090

E tcved@

bellsouth.net

ww

w.tnconservationvoters.org

Mem

ber organizations:C

umberland H

arpeth Chapter of the A

udubon SocietyH

arpeth River W

atershed Association

Scenic TennesseeSouthern A

lliance for Clean E

nergyTennessee C

hapter of Sierra Club

Tennessee Citizen A

ctionTennessee C

itizens for Wilderness Planning

Tennessee Clean W

ater Netw

orkTennessee E

nvironmental C

ouncilTennessee N

ative Plant SocietyTennessee Parks and G

reenways Foundation

Tennessee Preservation Trust

Tennessee Recreation and Parks A

ssociationTennessee Scenic R

ivers Association

Tennessee Trails A

ssociationTennessee T

rial Law

yersB

oone Watershed Partnership

Kilow

att Ours

To receive updates on state environm

ental legislation, e-mail: stew

artclifton@com

cast.net

Photo Credits: Penny Brooks

Printed on recycled paper

*To find the Legislators that represent your district, please visit the L

egislative Contacts page at w

ww

.tnconservationvoters.org

Tennessee C

onservation Voters (T

CV

) is a statewide non-partisan, non-

profit organization dedicated to the protection of Tennessee’s environment and

preservation of the state’s natural resources through effective legislation and adm

inistrative advocacy. TC

V focuses its resources on m

aking environmental

protection a top priority for Tennessee’s elected officials, political candidates and voters. O

ne way w

e accomplish this purpose is publishing a yearly

legislative scorecard. This is a sum

mary of state legislators’ perform

ance on environm

ental issues, i.e., how they voted on bills that w

ere particularly im

portant to Tennessee’s environment in the 2007 legislative session.

A note on Tennessee’s legislative process: M

ost environmental scorecards

are based on floor votes (entire House or Senate consideration) on

environmental bills. In the Tennessee legislature how

ever, most bills never

come up for a floor vote; m

any don’t come up for a vote at the

comm

ittee or sub-comm

ittee levels. They m

ay be filed with no

comm

ittee action. Without the objectivity of recorded floor votes,

this scorecard evaluates legislators’ performance on environm

ental bills by giving positive and negative credit for 1) floor votes, 2) com

mittee votes and 3) bill sponsorship.

2007 proved to be another positive year for our executive branch.

Governor B

redesen included a budget item for the purchase of 124,000 acres on the C

umberland Plateau.

This is the largest land conservation acquisition in Tennessee’s history and w

ill result in several beautiful, wild

tracts of land being preserved for future generations. Instrumental in the legislative approval of the purchase

was Senator M

ark Norris (R

-32) who w

orked tirelessly for the passage of the budget item. In addition, T

DE

C

and TD

OT

continued to work tow

ards the protection of Tennessee’s land and waterw

ays and remained open to

environmental concerns.

Scoring system:

Voting: L

egislators who sponsored or voted for a pro-environm

ent bill or voted against an anti-environment

bill or amendm

ent received a “+1”. Legislators w

ho voted for or sponsored an anti-environment bill or voted

against a pro-environment bill received a “-1”. T

he numbers in the colum

ns “Positive Environm

ental Actions”

and “Negative E

nvironmental A

ctions” refer to the numbers w

e have used to symbolize the bills in the bill

description section. Therefore, in order to note w

hich bills your legislators had the chance to vote on, you must

simply find the bills that are represented by the num

bers in the columns. T

he bills that a legislator sponsored are noted by parentheses ( ). L

egislators’ net scores are the number of positive actions m

inus the number of negative

actions. For every 2 net positive actions, legislators received a tree; for every 2 net negative actions, they received a stum

p.

The opportunities for getting positive or negative points varied because not all legislators w

ere on com

mittees that considered environm

ental bills. Legislators’ scores should not be directly com

pared unless they had an opportunity to vote on the sam

e bills.

2007(-) Negative

Actions*State Senate 2007 (+) Positive Actions*2007 Score 2007 Rating

* Refers to the index of Actions; ( ) denotes sponsorship

2007 Score

Speaker Ramsey, R-2 1,4,16,18 4 Beavers, R-17 4,16 1 1 Black, R-18 4,(17),18 1 2 Bunch, R-9 1,4,16 3 Burchett, R-7 (3),4,18 1,(13),16 0 Burks, D-15 1,(3),4,16,(17),18 6 Cooper, D-14 0 Crowe, R-3 1,4,16,18 4 Crutchfield, D-10 4,16,18 1 2 L. Finney, D-27 1,4,16,(17),18 5 R. Finney, R-8 1,(3),(4),4,(5),(7),(10),(12),(16),(17),(19) (2) 10 Ford, D-29 4,16,18 3 Harper, D-19 4,(16),16,18 1 3 Haynes, D-20 1,4,(8),16,(18),18 6 Henry, D-21 1,4,16,18 4 Herron, D-24 1,4,16,18 4 Jackson, D-25 1,4,(14),(15),(16),16,18,(19) 8 Johnson, R-23 4,16,18 1 2 Ketron, R-13 4,16,18 1 2 Kilby, D-12 1,4,(17) 3 Kurita, D-22 1,(3),(4),4,(5),(6),(7),(8),16,(17),18 11 Kyle, D-28 1,4,(18),18,(19) 5 Marrero, D-30 1,(3),4,(5),(11),(14),(16),16,(17),18,(19) 11 McNally, R-5 1,4,(14),18 16 3 Norris, R-32 1,4 2 Southerland, R-1 1,4 2 Stanley, R-31 4,(9),16 1 2 Tate, D-33 1,4,16,18 4 Tracy, R-16 4,(16),16 18 2 Watson, R-11 1,4,16 3 Wilder, D-26 4,16,18 (1),1 1 Williams, I-4 4 1 0 Woodson, R-6 1,4,(11) 3 House of Representatives Speaker J. Naifeh, D-81 18 1 Armstrong, D-15 (17),18 2 Baird, R-36 18,(20) 13 1 Bass, D-65 18 1 Bell, R-23 0 Bibb, D-66 (17),18 2 Bone, D-46 (17),18, (20) 3 Borchert, D-75 18 1 Briley, D-52 18 1 H. Brooks, R-19 (8),(17),18,(19) 4 K. Brooks, R-24 18 1 Brown, D-28 18 1 Buck, D-40 (4),(5),(11),(14),18 5 Campfield, R-18 18 -1 Casada, R-63 18 1 C. Cobb, D-62 (17),18,(19) 3 J. Cobb, R-31 18 1 Coleman, D-49 (5),18, (20) 3 Coley, R-97 (14),18 2 Cooper, D-86 18 1 Crider, R-79 (9),(14),18 3 Curtiss, D-43 18 1 Dean, R-30 18, (20) 2 J. Deberry, D-90 18 1 L. Deberry, D-91 18 1 Dubois, R-64 (5),(17) 2 Dunn, R-16 (17),18 2 Eldridge, R-73 18 1 Favors, D-29 18 1 Ferguson, D-32 (17),18,(19) 3 Fincher, D-42 (17),18 2 Fitzhugh, D-82 18 1 Floyd, R-27 18 1 Ford, R-6 18, (20) 2 Fraley, D-39 (17),18 13 1 Gilmore, D-54 (8),(15),(16),18,(19),(20) 13 5 Gresham, R-94 18 -1 Hackworth, D-33 (17),18 2 Hardaway, D-92 (17),18 2 Harmon, D-37 0 Harrison, R-9 18 (13) 0 Harwell, R-56 (6), (8) 2 Hawk, R-5 18 13 0 Hensley, R-70 18 -1 Hill, R-7 18 1 Hood, D-48 18 1 C. Johnson, R-68 18 1 P. Johnson, R-78 (20) 18 0 S. Jones, D-59 (8),(14),18 3 U. Jones, D-98 18 1 Kelsey, R-83 18 1 Kernell, D-93 (11),13,(14),18 4 Litz, D-10 (17),18 2 Lollar, R-99 18 1 Lundberg, R-1 18 1 Lynn, R-57 18 (2) 0 Maddox, D-76 18 1 Maggart, R-45 18 (2) 0 Matheny, R-47 (14),18 2 Matlock, R-21 18,(19) 2 McCord, R-8 (3),18 13 1 McCormick, R-26 18 1 McDaniel, R-72 18 1 McDonald, D-44 (5),(7),(8),(10),(12),(17),18,(20) 8 McManus, R-96 (14),18 2 Miller, D-88 18 1 Montgomery, R-12 (17),18 2 Moore, D-50 (5),(8),(14),(17),18 5 Mumpower, R-3 18 1 Niceley, R-17 13,18 -2 Odom, D-55 (18),18,(19),(20) 4 Overbey, R-20 18 1 Pinion, D-77 18 1 Pitts, D-67 18, (20) 2 Pruitt, D-58 (8),(16),18 3 Rinks, D-71 18,(19) 2 Roach, R-35 18 1 Rowe, D-87 (8),18 2 Rowland, R-34 (16),18 2 Sargent, R-61 18 1 Shaw, D-80 (17),18,(20) 3 Shepard, D-69 (15),(16),18,(19) 4 Sontany, D-53 18 1 Strader, R-14 0 Swafford, R-25 (14),18 2 Tidwell, D-74 18 13 0 Tindell, D-13 (17),18 2 Todd, R-95 18 1 Towns, D-84 (8),18 2 L. Turner, D-85 18 1 M. Turner, D-51 (8),(9),(12),(14),18, (20) 6 Vaughn, D-2 (17),18 2 Watson, R-22 18 1 West, D-60 (14),(17),18 3 M. Wilder, D-89 18 1 Williams, R-4 18 1 Windle, D-41 18 -1 Winningham, D-38 (17),18, (20) 3 Yokley, D-11 (17),18 2

Index of Actions

1. Acquisition of 124,000 acres on the North Cumberland Plateau. This pur-chase was a part of Governor Bredesen’s budget. An amendment to eliminate the land acquisition was defeated. Negative point for amendment sponsor-ship. Positive or negative points for full Senate vote on budget amendment.

2. SB 55/HB 1276 originally required all new regulations to undergo analysis as to whether there was a negative impact on business. Under the guise of protecting small businesses, that requirement would have curtailed the efforts of state officials to implement necessary and environmentally sound regula-tions. An amendment made the bill consistent with current policy. Became law as Public Chapter 464. Negative points for original sponsorship.

3. SB 109/HB 723 is an effort to promote the use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol and fuel-efficient or low emission vehicles in state-owned motor fleets. Became law as Public Chapter 489. Positive points for sponsorship.

4. SB 116/HB 348 would require the minimum energy conservation standard for any new residential construction to be consistent with the international conservation standards of 2003. It passed the Senate on a 32-0 vote and is alive and ready for action next year in the House. Positive points for Senate and House sponsorship and full Senate vote. 5. SB 123/HB 1146 calls for TDOT to encourage the acquisition of energy-efficient motor vehicles in the fleet of state vehicles. Became law as Public Chapter 523. Positive points for sponsorship.

6. SB 145/HB 214 would have required the use of LED lighting when install-ing new traffic signals or replacing existing signals throughout the state. Bill was filed but no committee action has been taken. Positive points for spon-sorship.

7. SB 146/HB 1218 requires the comptroller to conduct a performance audit of state agencies and departments responsible for conservation of energy and the study and production of alternative sources of energy, and energy security. Became law as Public Chapter 401. Positive points for sponsorship.

8. SB 266/HB 224 requests the administration to develop a comprehensive state energy conservation plan. Became law as Public Chapter 33. Positive points for sponsorship.

9. SB 463/HB 64 was an effort to create a sales tax exemption for hybrid vehicles. Bill taken off notice in Senate Tax Subcommittee; recommended by House Conservation but deferred by House Budget Subcommittee. Positive points for sponsorship.

10. SB 486/HB 1815 would have required that the air pollution control board authorize the sale of motor vehicles conforming to the emissions standards set by the state of California. Bill was filed but no committee action was taken. Positive points for sponsorship.

11. SB 603/HB 1804 requires final outcomes of water quality enforcement actions to be posted on TDEC’s website. Became law as Public Chapter 404. Positive points for sponsorship.

12. SB 827/HB 46 would have established efficiency standards for certain electrical products. Bill was filed but no committee action was taken. Positive points for sponsorship.

13. SB 1253/HB 865 originally proposed to exlude narrow run-off ditches from the definition of ‘water’ for purposes of the ‘Water Quality Control Act’. It was amended to create a legislative study committee. Negative points for sponsorship. Positive or negative points for House Environment subcommit-tee vote.

14. SB 1408/HB 1829 would have enacted the TN Beverage Container Act of 2007 to increase recycling rates and reduce litter. Bill was filed but no com-mittee action was taken. Positive points for sponsorship.

15. SB 1774/HB 1344 would have required the division of water pollution control to analyze, evaluate, categorize and report on landfills in Tennessee identified as contaminating the groundwater. Bill was filed but no committee action was taken. Positive points for sponsorship.

16. SB 1779/ HB 1345 directs the municipal solid waste advisory committee to develop recommendations for finding a higher value use for materials in the waste stream than landfilling, and reducing materials that may increase the en-vironmental hazards potentially created by the landfill. Became law as Public Chapter 584. Positive points for sponsorhip. Positive or negative points for full Senate vote on amendment 2.

17. SB 2150/ HB 2216 authorizes TDOT to develop programs for alterna-tive fuel use and research on converting TN agriculture products, including soybeans, switchgrass and other biomass, into alternative fuels. Became law as Public Chapter 456. Positive points for sponsorship.

18. SB 2257/HB 2319 increases various permitting fees charged by TDEC and deposits that revenue into Environmental Protection Fund. Shifts the burden of payment onto the businesses that profit from the regulated activity. Became law as Public Chapter 362. Positive points for sponsorship. Positive or negative points for full Senate and House vote.

19. SB 2267/HB 2289 revises Solid Waste Act to provide more revenue for recycling and household hazardous waste disposal. It also requires that each municipal solid waste region develop a plan for a ten-year disposal capacity, and for achieving compliance with the waste reduction and recycling goals. Became law as Public Chapter 462. Positive points for sponsorship.

20. HJR 472 encourages TVA to make large scale investment in efficient and renewable power. Positive points for sponsorship.

For more information on individual bills go to www.legislature.state.tn.us