Posted on 12/06/2005 8:10:49 AM PST by Van Jenerette
Bill would make organ donation automatic for drivers
By JIM DAVENPORT Associated Press Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Drivers would have to say they don't want their organs donated if they die under a bill filed by a Myrtle Beach senator becomes law.
Sen. Luke Rankin wants drivers to automatically become organ donors when they get or renew licenses. Current law allows drivers to opt in as organ donors.
Organ donation "ought to be the rule rather than the exception," Rankin said.
The Republican said it is not an attempt to mandate organ donation. But the legislation says unless applicants can prove they are an organ donor or sign a form saying they don't want to become one, they cannot get drivers' licenses.
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Tuesday was the first day for senators to file bills for the session that begins Jan. 10. House members had their first pre-filing date on Nov. 16.
The new spate of bills includes several dealing with property taxes, government restructuring and education.
- Voters would decide in November whether to change the constitution so that counties could not raise tax assessments. Property values could only be adjusted when it is sold, transferred or undergoes major improvements under the bill Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, sponsored.
- One bill broadens the state's price-gouging laws so they take effect when a state of emergency is declared in another state. The bill from Sen. Dick Elliott, D-North Myrtle Beach takes effect when the impact of a disaster is felt in South Carolina. A similar bill was filed in the House by Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston.
- Rankin has a bill that would create universal pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds. "It's time to do it," he said. Every effort to bring education to early childhood has helped create "brighter and better equipped" children, Rankin said. He has no estimate of the cost.
- Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, filed legislation allowing the governor to decide to lower flags on the Statehouse to half staff when Congress or the president have ordered that honor for federal buildings. Gov. Mark Sanford was criticized for not lowering flags after civil rights icon Rosa Parks died on Oct. 24. Harrell filed a similar bill in the House earlier this month.
© 2005 The Associated Press.
Please check your organs in before exiting the toll booth. You can pick them up on your return trip otherwise they will be forefeit.
This is a rather frightening proposal. Almost like mandatory harvesting!
RINO.
I read it that way too. The older I get, the less I like organ donation, even though I can see good in it too.
I'm sorry....I will determine when and if my organs get harvested.
Want to make it really interesting? Amend this to apply to motorcycle licenses only!
No thank you.
Okay. If roadkill, why not prisoners? Or vice versa?
Had me fooled. This is flat out wrong. It's disgraceful that an elected official would propose such a law. He should be recalled or forced to resign by his constituents.
This won't fly.
FYI Sen. Rankin just switched from Democrat to Republican last year.
And once that happens, why not apply New Eminent Domain?
"Excuse me sir, your body parts could be put to much better use over here because he pays more taxes than you ever will.....please lie down on this table."
If someone owns their body they should be able to sell their parts.
Only those with a socialist mindset would consider the state for use as a good way to fairly allocate resources that do not actually belong to the state.
You should die with all your organs intact so they can rot away with the rest of yiour body. Why give them to someone else who might live longer with them. Let nature take its course.
Well, send him back.
This is both outrageous and frightening.
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