Ahhh. Covering the legislature. It’s not glamorous, but the legislation that comes out of there has an impact on us all. Over the course of the session, I’ll break down some of the day’s most important and most interesting bills.

Today’s highlights include a major crackdown on smoking, the cost of every drink you buy that doesn’t come in a cup and on the lighter side, paying tribute to a NASCAR legend.

We’ll start with the bills that’ll really get people fired up, then move to the “responsible” proposals and end with some legislation on the lighter side.

First up, cracking down on smoking. When I say cracking down, this bill really does it. Under House bill 259, people would only be able to light up in a private residence, unless it’s used to provide adult or child care services, a retail tobacco shop, a tobacco manufacturing facility, a smoking room at a hotel, a private club, bars that only allow patrons over the age of 21 and any place of employment where smoke is used for scientific research. Let me boil down what that really means to most of us. The law means there would be NO smoking in restaurants. NONE. Not even in the bar area. Representative Holliman feels it’s the General Assembly’s role to protect citizens everywhere from second-hand smoke. Let’s see how this plays out. I’m sure the restaurant lobby will have a say!

On to the senate side, where one proposal hits you in the wallet, but aims to fix a problem we get plenty of complaints about. Senate Bill 215 would put a deposit on every beverage container you buy. The way the bill’s written, every container must come with a minimum 10-cent deposit. That means a six-pack will cost at least 60-cents more. You’ll get your refund back only if you recycle. The goal of the Litter Reduction Act of 2007 is to clean up our roadsides, which are covered with trash. How about a crackdown on people who throw cigarette butts out the window? That’s just as big an eyesore from my driver’s seat. If I’m not mistaken, cars do come with ashtrays, don’t they?

Finally, back to the house, where the charter school debate may take center stage again. One lawmaker filed a bill to lift the cap on the number of charter schools.  Right now, the state only allows 100 charter schools, mainly so it's easier to provide oversight. There's also some statewide research that suggests charter schools on the whole are not performing as well as public schools on standardized testing.

Several other bills go after big issues in the state, but one’s that likely won’t cause as much controversy.

Two bills in the house and senate would give homeowners a vote before they’re annexed.

Senate Bill 213 tackles a huge issue with local governments and that’s the cost of Medicaid. This bill would phase out the counties’ responsibility within five years and put the entire Medicaid bill on the state’s tab.

House Bill 263 aims to protect unborn children who die as the result of violence against a pregnant woman. Under the bill, a suspect who kills a pregnant woman would face two murder or manslaughter charges.

We’ll end today’s look on a much lighter note. Senator Goss filed a resolution to honor NASCAR legend Benny Parsons, who passed away in mid-January. The resolution highlights some of Parsons’ big accomplishments on and off the track.