By Lucas L. Johnson II
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE - Let the record reflect that the Tennessee state Senate has endorsed fish tanks and live birds in barbershops.
The Senate on Wednesday voted 30-1 for a measure allowing Tennessee barbershops to display live fish and birds. A companion bill passed the House 95-1 earlier this month and the legislation is now headed to Gov. Phil Bredesen.
It means barbershop owner Lori Corbin soon may be allowed to have live fish in her aquarium. She had been asked to drain the built-in fish tank at her shop in nearby Mount Pleasant following a state inspection and was told she could have only fake animals in it.
Existing law bars birds, fish or other live animals in barbershops, except for animals that help people with disabilities.
The bill - which specifies that fish or birds be allowed strictly for "decorative purposes" - has provoked some laughs on Capitol Hill.
Before the Wednesday vote, Sen. Mike Faulk, R-Kingsport, asked the sponsor to describe a "decorative fish."
"One that's pretty to look at, I guess," responded Sen. Eric Stewart, D-Belvidere.
Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, offered a tongue-in-cheek nod to his aquatic constituency when asked to explain his lone dissenting vote.
"I represent more ... fish than any other member of the General Assembly," he said, noting there are several rivers in his district. "Representing that many bodies of water, I just was afraid I might offend some of my fish constituents by subjecting them to the confines of a barbershop."
Christopher Garrett, spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, said the department had reminded legislators that an overly broad amendment allowing fish in barbershops might inadvertently reverse a separate ban on fish pedicures - a practice in which small fish nibble off dead skin.
Garrett said the "department will continue to enforce the laws the Legislature passes pertaining to its areas of regulation."
The part of the measure that applies to birds states their cages must be cleaned daily and inspected by the state.
Calvin Malone has had his own barber shop in Franklin for 21 years and said he may consider getting a small fish tank if the legislation becomes law. He's not too sure about the birds, however, because he believes their exposed waste is unsanitary - regardless of the cleaning mandate.
"You don't have that type of action from a fish tank," Malone said.
Bredesen is expected to review the proposal once it reaches his desk.