Transportation, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to develop and implement a policy regarding the removal of personal property used for camping from the shoulder, berm, or right-of-way of highways under its jurisdiction or under a bridge or overpass under its jurisdiction; prohibits the department from commencing initial clean-up activities, vegetation removal, or site securing activities until the municipal or county government whose geographic boundaries include the camping removal site has ensured that no persons are occupying the site. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 13; Title 39; Title 54; Title 55 and Title 71.

HB 197 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a policy for removing personal items used for camping from highway shoulders, bridges, or overpasses. The policy mandates a 72-hour notice period before removal, 90 days of storage for belongings, and coordination with local homeless services to ensure no one is occupying the site. It specifically prohibits DOT from starting cleanup until local governments confirm no occupants are present and requires special handling for items like medications or legal documents. This bill directly affects homeless individuals camping near highways and changes how the DOT manages property removal from public roadways.