Tennessee Senate voters to overhaul county clerks’ fee structure

NASHVILLE — The state Senate voted 29-0 Thursday for legislation that would overhaul the fee structure charged by Tennessee’s 95 county clerks.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dewayne Bunch, R-Cleveland, said the bill abolishes a number of archaic fees and updates others, some of which have not been increased in decades.

“I do want to put out to you there is one new fee in the bill. That new fee is a $1 fee for handling speciality license plates. As you all know, our clerks operate off the funds that they get, so this is not going into the general fund for any new programs.”

Sen. Bunch said the money will remain with the clerks and help offset the need for county governments to underwrite the clerks’ operations.

There was no debate on the measure.

The bill remains in the House Finance Committee.

In other action:

* Senators sent to the governor a bill requiring the Department of Children’s Services to notify foster parents of the criminal backgrounds of youths they accept into their homes and also make adults aware of the youths’ past hospitalizations for mental-health issues.

* The Senate gave final approval to a bill by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, that lets individuals who are 16 years old donate blood if their parents or guardians agree. The bill now goes to the governor.

* Bail bondsmen must maintain an office, telephone and sign or face suspension of their licenses under a bill approved by senators. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, remains in the House.