Forensics testing bill adopted in state legislature

Legislation that allows the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office to begin charging for certain tests conducted at its forensics testing center has passed in both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly.   

Under the legislation that is headed to Gov. Phil Bredesen’s desk, the lab will be able to charge the same fees as Tennessee Bureau of Investigation labs and other publicly-funded forensic labs for tests to determine the drug and alcohol content of blood.

“This is good news,” said Sheriff Tim Gobble, adding, “while the amount of money we expect to receive from these tests is not tremendous, it will help to off-set some of the lab’s operational expenses.”

Implementation of this change is expected to re-direct $12,800 from TBI labs to the Bradley County lab, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill that was based on data from 2005.

That year the TBI conducted 255 blood and breath alcohol tests and 964 drug tests for Bradley County cases.  Sheriff Gobble pointed out as the number of tests increase,  fees should also go up.

The lab will be able to charge $20 for drug tests and $100 “upon conviction in drug and DUI cases in which blood alcohol and breath tests are conducted.”   

Fees collected by the court clerk for convictions are to be turned over monthly to the county trustee.

Sheriff Gobble thanked state Representatives Kevin Brooks and Eric Watson and state Senator Dewayne Bunch for their support of this important piece of legislation.

The bill was adopted 98 to 0 by the House on May 7 and in the Senate 36 to 0 on May 24.  It is scheduled to go into effect on July 1st.