LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES

Last week, the Washington State legislature adjourned for the year. It did
so without passing seven out of eight bills that we had been tracking as
problem legislation. In one form or another, those bills would have
increased penalties and/or imposed criminal registration requirements on
those cited for low-level misdemeanor indecent exposure. The one bill which
did pass was amended on the senate floor to strike any references to mere
indecency from the bill. These successes can be attributed to some very hard
work by Washington GAT chair Steve Hubbard and other volunteers including
Steve’s wife Sheila, Shirley Gauthier, Astrid King, and a few others who I
don’t have permission to thank publicly.

Speaking of victories, AANR-Florida’s government affairs professional in
Tallahassee delivered a major success this week. That’s when a house bill
which would have greatly increased penalties for illegal “exposure” on
public lands, beaches, parks, and sites within a certain radius of public
schools was amended after AANR-Florida’s professional worked extensively
with the bill’s sponsor.  As of today, all references to FL Stat 800.03 have
been stricken from the bill. In its amended form, the bill should regulate
only activity that is truly sexual in nature but we will monitor any further
developments which could pose a threat.

Source: AANR Clubs Weekly Report, March 21, 2008