Dear SOCM members and supporters,
Take a lunch break today for Tennessee mountains and people! It takes about five minutes of your day to call your Tennessee Senators and Representatives to ask that they vote YES on HB 0291, SB 0578 and SB 0577 and against an Arizona copycat bill - HB 1380 Carr. Your call does make a difference!
Find contact information for your state legislators by clicking here.
The following bills will be considered:
� Tuesday, March 22:
HB 0291 McDonald: Prohibition on surface mining at specified elevation levels. Prohibits the commissioner of water quality control from issuing or renewing a permit, certification, or variance that allows surface coal mining operations that will disturb ridgelines above 2,000 feet elevation above sea level with exceptions made for underground mining.
(SENATE: SB 0577 Stewart E.: Placed on Senate Environment, Conservation, & Tourism Committee calendar for 3/23).
� Wednesday, March 23:
SB 0577 Stewart E.: Prohibition on surface mining at specified elevation levels. Prohibits the commissioner of environment and conservation from issuing or renewing a permit, certification, or variance that allows surface coal mining operations that will disturb ridgelines above 2,000 feet elevation above sea level with exceptions made for underground mining.
(HOUSE: HB 0291, McDonald: Placed on House General Subcommittee of Conservation and Environment calendar for 3/22.)
SB 0578 Stewart E.: Prohibits surface coal mining if it disturbs ridgeline. Prohibits the commissioner of environment and conservation from issuing or renewing a permit that would allow surface coal mining operations to alter or disturb any ridgeline that is over 2,000 feet elevation above sea level.
(HOUSE: HB 0290, McDonald: Assigned to House General Subcommittee of Conservation and Environment.)
HB 1380 Carr: Threatens Tennessee's reputation as a state that protects community interests. The most dangerous provision of the bill requires every law enforcement officer in the state-every time he or she "makes a lawful stop"-to question the person's immigration status, contact federal agents if there is "reasonable suspicion" an immigration violation has occurred, and transport the person to a federal holding facility. The bill would invite racial profiling and further divide communities, while funding for the necessary training, personnel, and detention would further devastate local government budgets.
(SENATE: SB 0780 Carr: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.)
Thank you for taking time to ensure that your voice is heard for measures that protect communities, mountains and water quality!
Sincerely,
Your SOCM Team