Tennessee Bills

This bill modifies the rules for the Shelby County occupancy tax, which currently funds the local convention and visitors bureau. It changes the condition for ending the tax from the payoff of construction bonds to the departure of a National Basketball Association franchise from an indoor sports facility, with a final deadline of June 30, 2050. Additionally, the bill updates how tax money is split if the NBA team leaves, directing 61.25% to the visitors bureau and 38.75% to the county. Crucially, these changes only take effect if a two-thirds vote of the Shelby County legislative body approves them.

This bill updates the financial management system for Benton County, Tennessee, to modernize budgeting, investment, and debt oversight. It establishes a five-member Budget Committee responsible for preparing annual budgets that must include public hearings for citizen input before adoption by local officials. The County Legislative Body retains the authority to adjust budget line items within state rules but must adopt a balanced budget based on previous tax collection data. Additionally, the legislation defines key financial terms and sets specific timelines for creating and reviewing county expenditures.

This bill updates the town charter for Sardis, Tennessee, to modernize its governing structure by removing outdated references to historical roles and requirements. It changes how local officials are compensated and set meeting schedules, allowing the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to establish these details through local ordinances rather than fixed state rules. The legislation also extends the terms of the mayor and aldermen from two to four years and adjusts residency requirements for voters living within the municipality. Additionally, it clarifies the authority of the Recorder and expands the board's power to manage municipal employees and set their salaries.

This bill updates election rules for the City of Bristol, Tennessee, to align with state changes in general election law. It directly affects city council members and board of education members by establishing new election dates, term lengths, and voting procedures. Key provisions include shifting council and education board elections to the first Tuesday in November for even-numbered years, setting four-year terms starting in January, and allowing all city voters to nominate and vote for candidates regardless of their residential district. The bill also reduces the time for ordinances to take effect from 17 days to seven days, adjusts property tax due dates, and creates a new department of education. Additionally, it modifies how property tax penalties and interest apply, including a 5% penalty for unpaid taxes after March 31 and a 2% discount for early payment.

This bill rewrites the city charter for Niota, Tennessee, replacing its existing legal framework with a new set of rules. It directly affects the City of Niota by defining its official boundaries through detailed geographic descriptions and outlining the powers of its mayor and board of commissioners. The new charter grants the city authority to levy taxes, incur debt, issue bonds, acquire property, condemn land for public use, and manage public utilities. The bill also allows the city to annex additional property in the future, subject to state law requirements.

This bill proposes changes to the City of Lafayette's election schedule and compensation for city officials, requiring approval by the city council before taking effect. It would move the election of the mayor and council members from May to coincide with the November general election, with staggered terms beginning in 2026 and 2028. The legislation also increases council member meeting compensation from $100 to $150 and committee meeting pay from $50 to $75, while raising the mayor's annual salary from $45,000 to $75,000 starting after the 2028 election. Additionally, it authorizes the creation of superintendent positions for streets and sanitation, subject to council confirmation.

This bill amends the private acts of Obion County to clarify that the County Highway Superintendent will be appointed by the county commission rather than through a different selection process. It establishes the County Road Superintendent as the chief administrative officer responsible for building, maintaining, and managing county roads and bridges in accordance with state law. The position will be selected by a majority vote of the county legislative body for four-year terms starting in 2027, with the current superintendent serving until their term expires. The bill also outlines the superintendent's duties, including purchasing authority, budget proposals, and expenditure powers that require a second signature from the County Mayor. Crucially, the entire act requires approval by a two-thirds vote of the Obion County legislative body before it can take effect.

This bill proposes to require the City of Tullahoma to dedicate 3.8 percent of its annual operating budget, with a minimum of $1.5 million, to street and road maintenance starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funding mechanism is established by amending state law and includes a severability clause to ensure remaining provisions stay in effect if any part is ruled invalid. Crucially, the bill will only take effect if the City of Tullahoma's legislative body approves it with a two-thirds vote, giving local officials the final say on whether to adopt this spending requirement.

This bill clarifies the role of the mayor of Lexington as the chief executive officer of the city and establishes the office as a full-time position. It authorizes the mayor to suspend employees for misconduct or dereliction of duty, with the right to appeal to the city board, and requires the mayor to serve as a voting member only in the event of a tie at board meetings. The bill also outlines the mayor's duties, including supervising city affairs, executing contracts, submitting annual budgets, and presiding over board meetings. Importantly, this legislation will only take effect if approved by a two-thirds vote of the Lexington city council, ensuring local control over the changes.

This bill updates election rules for Bristol, Tennessee, to align with state changes in general election law. It establishes how city council and board of education members are elected, including terms of four years and allowing all city voters to vote for all seats regardless of district. The legislation also shortens the time for city ordinances to take effect from 17 days to seven days after final passage, adjusts property tax due dates, and creates a new department of education. These changes directly affect Bristol residents, city officials, and the local government structure.

This Tennessee bill updates the town charter for Sardis by removing outdated terms like debtor's prisons and city marshal, and it changes how town officials are selected and compensated. The legislation extends the terms of the mayor and aldermen from two to four years, allows the town to set meeting dates and official salaries through local ordinances rather than state law, and lowers residency requirements for voters within the municipality. Additionally, the bill clarifies the Recorder's role, grants the governing body more authority to manage town employees, and sets the date for the first election under the new rules to August 2026.

This bill updates the legal charter for the Town of Stanton, Tennessee, by revising the town's general powers and provisions related to its town judge. It grants the town expanded authority to manage local finances, including the ability to levy taxes, incur debt, issue bonds, and acquire or dispose of property. The legislation also clarifies the town's power to regulate public utilities, grant exclusive franchises or contracts for services, and manage infrastructure like streets and public facilities. These changes require local approval before taking effect and are designed to provide the town with clearer legal authority for municipal operations.