NASHVILLE - A bill seeking to ban smoking in cars and trucks where young children are present was gutted in the state House today and then banished to committee where opponents expect the measure to die as lawmakers scramble to adjourn by day's end.
Representatives voted 51-31 to refer the previously-passed Senate bill to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Before that, the House approved an amendment eliminating the Senate bill, which would have resulted in an initial warning to adult motorists followed by subsequent fines of up to $50 for repeat offenders.
It would have applied in cases where children were under age 14 with proponents, including three senators who are physicians, warning about the dangers of second-hand smoke on children who cannot escape the confines of the vehicle.
Under the House amendment from Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erwin, the bill simply directed the Tennessee Department of Transportation to flash warnings about second-hand smoke to young children on interstate digital information signs.
Earlier today, Senate proponents resurrected the bill which had previously failed to pass by one vote and passed it, despite objections from Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Paul Bailey, R-Sparta.
Bailey unsuccessfully sought to attach the same amendment, later adopted by the House, but it was rejected. Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, unsuccessfully sought to refer the bill to the Judiciary Committee, but wound up voting for the bill.