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 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 a
couple of years ago, “Zedler’s against pubic hair. We still have a $10
billion deficit.”
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.
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.
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:
http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/
Thank you once again for choosing to make a difference!
Naturally,
Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee
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Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
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