Carrie Underwood hits Tennessee lawmakers, governor on 'Ag Gag' bill

Thursday, April 18, 2013

photo Carrie Underwood performs at the 2012 CMA Misic Festival in Nashville.

VIDEO

This story is featured in the TimesFreePress newscast.

photo Carrie Underwood tweet
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE - Country music star Carrie Underwood is scolding Tennessee lawmakers and warning Gov. Bill Haslam she'll show up at his door in force if the governor signs a controversial bill requiring anyone videoing or taking photos of livestock abuse to turn the material over to law enforcement within 48 hours.

"Shame on TN lawmakers for passing the Ag Gag bill," Underwood tweeted this afternoon. "If Gov. Bill Haslam signs this, he needs to expect me at his front door. Who's with me?

The House took final action on the bill last night. Critics charge it is aimed at deterring groups like the Human Society of the United States from carrying out long-term investigations detailing abuse. Similar investigations have helped law enforcement.

The group conducted such an operation last year on a Tennessee Walking Horse industry trainer whose operation was in the district of the Senate sponsor, Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville.

Gresham and House sponsor, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, a farmer, said their bill is aimed at requiring quick action by anyone who knowingly witnesses animal abuse.