S.20.3-8: Protecting our History Act (Law'd)

[reagente]

I support this legislation. Statues, if they are removed at all, should be removed by the democratic process - not by vandals.

[reagente]

I'll object, only because I'd like the issue of Confederate Statutes to be separate from this, since many statutes that do not have anything to do with the Confederacy are being targeted by vandals.

Also I think DTC is right that these vandals would likely only be discouraged if the police got more funding - especially now that crowdfunding will allow people to pay off these fines (unless they are prohibitively high).

I encourage tmthforu94 to propose a separate bill regarding removing Confederate statues, since that's a worthwhile discussion to have.

[reagente]

nay

[reagente]

Can someone clarify if the amendment means that police departments will receive $250 for each act of vandalism, or if they will receive $250 if a locality votes to remove their statue?

[reagente]

My Confederate statues amendment was voted down on the argument that it should be a separate bill, however, under the current format of this bill, it would suggest the regional government can't take action in the future. Proposing an amendment to hopefully alleviate that, but if anyone can think of better wording, I'm open to it. Also adding in the word "public" just to provide certainty this doesn't apply to statues on private land.

AN ACT
to protect statues of historical figures in the South

Section 1 (Title & Definitions)
i. The title of this act shall be, the “Protecting Our History"

Section 2 (Protecting Statues)
i. Anyone who takes down or participates the vandalism of a statue of a historical figure will be fined $500 for destroying public property. Citizens may choose to permanently take down a public statue only by a ballot referendum in an election or by the regional legislature.
ii. Police departments in jurisdictions where a historical statue is vandalized will be compensated $250.

Section 3 (Implementation)
i. This legislation shall come into effect immediately upon signature by the Governor.

24 hours for objection.

I would have thought that newer legislation would automatically supersede any old legislation when there is conflict, but I have no problem with this language.

[reagente]

Nay

[reagente]

Aye

[reagente]

aye