Senators advance three local bills to fund law enforcement, tourism and courthouse repairs

Senators advanced three local bills on voice votes during a session, moving measures that would raise local fees and taxes to support law enforcement, tourism and parks, and courthouse renovations.

The measures were briefed and each drew little debate before members approved motions to report the bills. The action sends the local and private bills to the next procedural step.

House Bill 19‑54: Union County law enforcement maintenance fund The chairman explained, "house bill 19 54 is Union County bill authorizing, a $15 per case for a civil case filed in any justice court in Union Of Union County and for the misdemeanor convictions obtained in that court, and the proceeds would go to the Union County law enforcement maintenance center maintenance fund." The bill would assess $15 on civil filings in justice courts and on misdemeanor convictions in Union County courts and deposit the proceeds into a county law enforcement maintenance fund. After questions from senators, a motion for a sufficient do pass recommendation was approved by voice vote; a clerk announced "the ayes have it."

House Bill 19‑61: Verona tourism and parks sales tax referendum Senator Whaley described House Bill 19‑61 as "a bill authorizing the city of Verona to have an election to levy a 3% tax on proceeds from sale of restaurants or, promotion of tourism and parks in the city." When asked whether the measure would go to referendum, Senator Whaley said, "There will be an election 60% passed just like all the others." A motion for a sufficient do pass recommendation was approved by voice vote; a clerk announced "the ayes have it." The transcript does not specify ballot language, effective date or how the revenue would be administered beyond the stated purpose.

House Bill 19‑65: Lee County courthouse renovations Senator Whaley explained House Bill 19‑65 as a Lee County measure establishing a $25 assessment for convictions in justice, county or circuit courts and a $50 assessment for convictions of driving under the influence, with the proceeds earmarked to fund renovations to the historic Lee County Courthouse. After the explanation, senators approved a motion to report the bill by voice vote; the record shows the clerk announcing "the ayes have it," and later a motion to rise and report was agreed to.

Votes at a glance - House Bill 19‑54 (Union County): Motion for sufficient do pass approved by voice vote; outcome reported as passed by voice vote (no roll‑call tally provided in the transcript). - House Bill 19‑61 (City of Verona): Motion for sufficient do pass approved by voice vote; transcript records a statement that the measure would go to an election "60% passed," attributed to Senator Whaley. - House Bill 19‑65 (Lee County): Motion for sufficient do pass approved by voice vote to report the bill; proceeds proposed for renovations to the historic Lee County Courthouse.

The session record does not include roll‑call vote counts, specific effective dates, or detailed fiscal estimates for any of the three bills. Each bill was described as a local or private measure and will proceed through the legislature under the regular process for such bills.