NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal to bar local governments from renaming parks or monuments honoring Tennessee's military figures is headed to the governor for his consideration.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro was approved 26-3 by the Senate on Thursday. The companion bill passed the house 69-22 last month.

Sponsors say the legislation is aimed at preventing shifting views and changing "demographics" from erasing memorials to historical figures from the Civil War and other conflicts.

The bill would allow local governments seeking to change the names of parks to seek permission from the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Critics say it should be left to local governments to decide the naming of parks.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is expected to review the legislation once it reaches his desk.

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