The Senate has sent to Gov. Bill Haslam legislation that, if he signs its, would declare that the United Nations is banned from monitoring elections in Tennessee.

On the Senate floor Tuesday, sponsor Sen. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains, merely declared that “this is a one-sentence bill.” Then he read the sentence:

“ Any representative of the United Nations appearing without a treaty ratified by the United States senate stating that the United Nations can monitor elections in this state, shall not monitor elections in this state.”

There was no debate. Senate approved the bill 23-2. It House earlier approved the measure 75-20 after some discussion. House sponsor Rep. Micah Van Huss characterized the measure as an assertion of the state and nation’s sovereignty. Van Huss said he was upset that a United Nations affiliate organization sent two representatives – one from France and one from Armenia – to monitor Tennessee elections in 2012 because the state had enacted a law requiring a photo identification for voting.

The bill is HB2410, as amended.