The House bill that would clear the way for a popular New Year’s Eve “possum drop” in Brasstown now has a companion bill in the Senate, where its comedian authors have dubbed it “The Opossum Right-to-Work Act.”
SB60, sponsored by Republican Senators Jim Davis, a two-term orthodontist from Franklin, and Stan Bingham, a seven-term lumber company owner from Denton.
The House went with the more staid title, “Captivity License and Permit Amendments.” That bill has been referred to the Rules Committee.
The bills would give the state Wildlife Resources Commission the authority to issue permits for wild animals to be used in “scientific, educational or exhibition purposes.”
But it’s not a funny matter to animal-protection advocates. People of the Ethical Treatment of Animals sued and stopped the state from allowing an opossum from being trapped for the event.
