Wednesday, February 21, 2007

NAC Advisory: Texas House Bill 1466



NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
ADVISORY


http://www.naturistaction.org


Copyright 2007 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE: February 21, 2007
SUBJECT: Texas House Bill 1466
TO: Texas naturists and concerned others

Dear Naturist:

The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) wishes to make you aware of threatening legislation in the state of Texas.
Texas House Bill 1466 {link to bill added - Rick} attempts statewide regulation of sexually oriented businesses. Of greatest alarm to naturists is the bill's primary definition that puts at risk all naturist and nudist parks, camps and resorts, as well as any business (like a health club or bowling alley) that might be rented or used temporarily for naturist activities.

IMPORTANT: NAC IS NOT CALLING FOR YOUR ACTION AT THIS TIME

NO ACTION is called for at this time. House Bill 1466 has not yet been assigned to a committee. It is premature for individuals to take action concerning this legislative measure. However, NAC is working on the problem, and you should be watching for further NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this topic.

DISCUSSION

Texas House Bill 1466 was introduced last week by Rep. Bill Zedler, a third term Republican lawmaker from Arlington.

The threat to naturists from House Bill 1466 is simple, obvious and outrageous. To the customary list of sexually oriented business definitions, HB 1466 adds "any other commercial enterprise ... whose employees or customers appear in a state of nudity."

The definition would not only apply to naturist and nudist parks, it would have to include gyms, spas and pools with changing rooms.

Rep. Zedler has a history of sponsoring legislation that reflects his fascinated focus on regulating and criminalizing the bodies and body parts of others. As the late political commentator Molly Ivins wrote {link added - Rick} a couple of years ago, "Zedler's against pubic hair. We still have a $10 billion deficit." {HB 2257-Relating to the regulation of sexually-oriented businesses. Rick}

Despite his lawmaking eccentricities, Rep. Zedler has been successful a fair number of times with his legislative measures. Having been elected to the Texas legislature with the help of money from the political action group of discredited former Congressman Tom DeLay, Rep. Zedler enjoys the faithful core support of a significant number of fellow lawmakers who came to the legislature with the same help.

Naturists must take the threat of House Bill 1466 very seriously, and we cannot assume that the broadness of the definition was unintentional. This legislation, if passed intact, would be a back breaker for naturists.

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

Immediately after House Bill 1466 was filed, the Naturist Action Committee hired a professional Texas legislative lobbyist for assistance and advice. NAC's careful and selective use of lobbyists complements NAC's own expertise and legislative response system. A skilled and properly managed lobbyist can help improve and focus the effect of grass roots action taken by individual naturists, as coordinated by NAC.

The Naturist Action Committee and its lobbyist are presently working with key Texas lawmakers to prevent the damage that would be inflicted on naturists by HB 1466. NAC does not intend to solve the problem presented by this dangerous legislation by seeking fragile exemptions for affiliated individuals or businesses. Instead, NAC intends to derail the bill or rework its basic definition, so that venues for naturist activities will not be considered "sexually oriented businesses."

NAC is coordinating its action with AANR-Southwest, a regional affiliate of the American Association for Nude Recreation. {links added - Rick}

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is an informational advisory only. It's important that you know what's going on, but the Naturist Action Committee is specifically asking that you do not take action at this time. Please watch for further NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this topic.

MORE INFORMATION

You can access additional information on the Web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts, Advisories and Updates." Under Current Advisories, you'll find the text of this NAC Advisory, along with links to the complete text of Texas House Bill 1466.

PLEASE HELP NAC HELP NATURISTS

As the nonprofit volunteer political adjunct to The Naturist Society, NAC is a vigorous force at work on behalf of naturists.

NAC does not hesitate to engage legislative lobbyists when it becomes necessary. But lobbyists are expensive. NAC relies entirely on your voluntary support. Please donate generously with a check to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or use your credit card to make a direct donation online through NAC's Web site:
www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you once again for choosing to make a difference!

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee




Naturist Action Committee (NAC)
- PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com


Related Posts with Thumbnails