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Education, public safety and abortion. Those are among Gov. Bill Haslam's legislative priorities for this year.
Haslam's office released its list Thursday.
The governor's proposals include reorganizing the Tennessee Board of Regents and a plan to reduce the number of people sent back to prison for nonviolent parole violations. Both proposals were expected, and the latter is part of a broader effort reduce to recidivism.
The governor also wants to update the state's regulations on for-profit colleges. The statute that governs such institutions, he says, hasn't been revised in more than four decades.
Meanwhile, Haslam is dipping a toe into the debate over firearms. He suggests extending the term of a handgun carry permit to eight years from five years and lowering the initial cost of a permit to $100 from the current rate of $115. Gun owners would also have more time to renew a permit. But they would have to agree to a background check halfway through the term of their permit.
The governor is also putting forward his response to last year's sting videos targeting Planned Parenthood. He's calling for more reporting on how fetal remains are disposed of, and he wants to prohibit reimbursements for shipping aborted fetuses or remains.
At the same time, the governor proposes new inspection rules for surgical centers that perform abortions.
Haslam says such rules will increase transparency and accountability from abortion providers.
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