Latest news with #HouseBill473
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mobile lake closure prompts state legislative action
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Alabama State Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle) has filed legislation prohibiting water boards and sewer commissions from banning or restricting recreational activities on lakes they own or control. List: The Social Security offices expected to close this year According to a news release from the Alabama State House of Representatives, the legislation was filed after the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System decided in February to permanently close Big Creek Lake to recreational activities, including fishing and vehicles. Escambia County deputies arrest man accused of pretending to be sheriff's office employee 'Suddenly declaring an entire lake off limits without offering specific reasons or justification is unfair and hurts the quality of life for everyone who lives in the area,' Stringer said. 'The residents of House District 102 are angry and upset at this bureaucratic nonsense, and I share their reaction, so if MAWSS refuses to reverse its decision, the Legislature can certainly step in and reverse it for them.' According to the release, House Bill 473 said water or sewer boards 'may not in any way restrict the public's recreational use of a body of water, or portion thereof, owned or controlled by the board, including for fishing and boating.' Mobile County residents who disagree with the lake's closure have already begun pushing for its reopening with a Facebook page. 'Public health departments, environmental agencies, and similar departments governed by other portions of the Code of Alabama would maintain their authority to declare health emergencies and take necessary actions to safeguard the public from contaminated bodies of water and other threats,' the Alabama House release said. Saraland High School receives donated aircraft for hands-on training Now that the bill has been filed, it has been sent to the House Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Committee, which is headed by State Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile). Kendra Day contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local lawmaker proposes requiring DNA samples for all felony charges
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — In Tennessee, DNA samples are only taken from those charged with some felonies. However, state Rep. John Crawford's new bill would require them for all felonies. According to House Bill 473, anyone arrested for a felony would have a buccal swab, a swab taken from inside the cheek, for use in future cases. 'They would give a DNA sample when they are booked in the jail,' Crawford said. 'Just like they have to get fingerprints, they have to get their picture taken.' Crawford said his reasoning for creating the bill stems from a Kingsport cold case that was solved in 2024 following DNA testing. 'It was 27 years he got away with murder, and he probably thought he was good for life,' Crawford said. 'But by having that DNA sample on record with the technology and the things we have now, then we finally got satisfaction for that family.' Richard Frazier, captain of criminal investigations with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, said the bill could prevent other cases from becoming cold. 'Especially if they get arrested again for any type of felony and their DNA is ran,' Frazier said. 'Hopefully it'll give a hit and then it'll pop up on our radar and we can go start the investigation with them.' There is opposition to the bill. Defense attorney Gene Scott said the bill is a violation of privacy. 'It's overly intrusive to take people's DNA just because they're accused of something,' Scott said. 'It goes against the presumption of innocence. And I don't think anybody should be okay with it.' The bill would also allow for the sample to be considered a condition for release, which Scott also opposes. 'To think that it's constitutional to say, 'We're going to take essentially the very essence of your selves from you just because you're arrested, if you want to make bond,'' Scott said. 'This is not right.' Crawford said provisions are written into the bill if the felony charges are dropped. 'If they're acquitted or the charges are dropped or they're found innocent,' Scott said. 'Then everything is destroyed like it never happened.' The bill is set to go before the House Judiciary Committee on March 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TN lawmaker files bill to require DNA collection for all felony offense arrests
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill from an East Tennessee Republican would require law enforcement to collect a DNA sample for all those arrested for felony offenses in the state. State Rep. John Crawford (R-Bristol-Kingsport) filed House Bill 473, which would establish procedures for DNA collection and the management of biological samples by law enforcement. If passed, anyone arrested for a felony offense in Tennessee would have a biological specimen collected before being released from custody. The arresting agency would use a buccal swab—a swab from the inside of the cheek—to collect the DNA. Then, that DNA would be sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for analysis. The DNA information would be 'securely stored,' according to a release from the representative's office, and 'could aid in criminal investigations.' 'Our criminal justice system depends on having a strong forensic infrastructure so that we can increase efficiency and expedite justice for victims,' Crawford said of the bill. 'This bill will help us solve cold cases but also prevent extremely dangerous individuals from committing more crimes.' According to Crawford, the inspiration for the bill comes from a Kingsport mother who was sexually assaulted and whose 17-year-old son, James Huston, was stabbed to death in 1997. At the time of Huston's death and his mother's assault, DNA was collected when the scene was processed, but analysis technology wasn't readily available. Nearly 30 years later, the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office was able to reexamine the case in such a way that resulted in the indictment of George Scott Robinson on three counts of first-degree murder in 2024 thanks to genetic DNA testing. 'For 27 years, a man got away with murder and rape,' Crawford said. 'This legislation provides a critical tool that equips Tennessee's criminal justice system with the ability to get violent people off our streets.' The bill stipulates the TBI will establish formal procedures for the DNA collection, which law enforcement agencies must follow. If a defendant is granted bond or released on their own recognizance, providing a DNA sample will be a condition of release. TN Supreme Court: Personalized license plates are 'government speech' Further, the bill requires the TBI to destroy the DNA samples and related records if charges are dismissed or a defendant is acquitted, provided there are no other charges or warrants pending. According to Crawford's office, all 50 states collect DNA samples from certain people convicted of crimes; at least 27 states collect DNA samples when an individual is arrested for a felony or a subset of felony crimes. If passed, Crawford's bill is estimated to cost the state more than $3 million annually, with $3.3 million required in the first fiscal year. The fiscal note on the bill from the Tennessee General Assembly Fiscal Review Committee states the bill would require nine additional positions be staffed in order to comply with the proposed law. DNA sample testing done by the TBI takes place at the TBI Jackson Lab, according to the fiscal note. The cost of each collection kit is $9.14. The cost of running the analysis on the collection kit is $25.41/sample. Estimates from the Fiscal Review Committee show the number of samples collected would increase by an average of 60,000 annually. Additionally, RapidDNA verification is estimated to cost $22,500 per 15,000 samples, per the fiscal note. That increase in costs is estimated to be $2,163,000, according to the Fiscal Review Committee. ⏩ Additionally, the committee said the bill would lead to an increase in the incarcerated population in the state, which would also increase state costs. 'Increasing DNA sample testing will result in an increase in the total number of individuals incarcerated in state and local facilities, as well as the length of time an individual is housed within a state or local facility,' the note reads. 'The extent and timing of any increases in state or local expenditures cannot reasonably be determined with any certainty, but could be significant.' Crawford's bill is set for discussion in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 12. The Senate companion legislation was recommended to the Senate Judiciary Committee in late February, though it does not yet have a date set. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
