Sen. Bo Watson (R-11) filed the following Bills which would eliminate the requirement that the Governor consult professional organizations and/or make his appointments based on their recommendations:

SB0146 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor consult with the Home Builders Association of Tennessee, Inc. about its recommendations prior to the Governor making appointments to the state board for licensing contractors.

SB0148 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor select members of the water quality control board from lists of nominees submitted by Tennessee Conservation League, County Services Association, Farm Bureau, Tennessee Muncipal League, Tennessee Automotive Association and Tennessee Association of Business.

SB0149 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor select members of the solid waste disposal control board from lists of nominees submitted by Tennessee Manufacturers Association, public higher education institutions, Tennessee Environmental Council, County Services Association, Farm Bureau, Tennessee Muncipal League and Tennessee Automotive Association.

SB0150 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor select members of the petroleum underground storage tank board from lists of nominees submitted by the Tennessee Association of Business, Tennessee Petroleum Council, Tennessee Oil Marketers Association, Tennessee Environmental Council and Tennessee Municipal League, but would require the Governor to consult with such entities prior to making appointments.

SB0152 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor make appointments to the board of optometry from lists of nominees provided by the Tennessee Optometric Association.

SB0153 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor select members of the board of land survey examiners from lists of nominees submitted by Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors.

SB0154 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor select some members of board of funeral directors and embalmers from lists of nominees submitted by Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and Tennessee Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.

SB0155 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor select psychologist members of the board of examiners in psychology from lists of nominees submitted by Tennessee Psychological Association, and select psychological examiner and senior psychological examiner board members from lists provided by Tennessee Association of Psychological Examiners.

SB0156 would eliminate the requirement that the Governor select the physician member of the board of communication disorders and sciences from a list of nominess provided by Academy of Otolaryngology.

He has also introduced the following Bills to make consultations with professional associations on board appointments mandatory:

SB0151 requires the Governor to consult with the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association prior to making appointments to the board of veterinary medical examiners. Under current law the TVMA may recommend licensed doctors of veterinary medicine and licensed veterinary technicians for appointment to the board but the Governor is not required to consult with them.

SB0184 requires the governor to consult with the Tennessee Dental Association prior to making appointments to the board of dentistry.