NASHVILLE (AP) – A bill filed in the state Senate would end an automatic hotel allowance for lawmakers living within 50 miles of the Statehouse.

Under current rules, every lawmaker receives $173 each day to offset meals and lodging while they are participating in legislative proceedings, regardless of whether they spend the night at a hotel.

The bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Ferrell Haile of Gallatin would eliminate the lodging allowance for lawmakers who live nearby. But it would continue to allow them to receive food money based on the current federal per diem rate, which is pegged at $66 in 2013.

Haile's bill is co-sponsored by fellow Republican Sens. Steven Dickerson of Nashville, Jack Johnson of Franklin and Mark Green of Clarksville. The House sponsor is Republican Rep. Rick Womick of Murfreesboro.

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