Tennessee Bills

This bill would adjust the mineral severance tax rate in Unicoi County to match specific amounts set by state law, affecting businesses that extract sand, gravel, sandstone, chert, or limestone in the area. The tax rates would increase gradually over time, starting at 15 cents per ton before July 2025 and rising to 30 cents per ton by July 2035. The law clarifies that the tax applies when minerals are removed from the ground and excludes materials used for agricultural purposes or other minerals already taxed under different state provisions. Importantly, the bill includes a provision requiring approval by a two-thirds vote of the Unicoi County Commission before the tax changes take effect.

This bill would allow non-resident property owners in Dickson County who own at least half of a property of 5,000 square feet or more within White Bluff to vote in White Bluff municipal elections. The law requires these non-resident owners to follow standard voter registration procedures and present registration receipts when voting. However, the bill includes a special provision stating it will not take effect unless the White Bluff town council approves it by a two-thirds vote. The legislation amends existing state law to expand voting eligibility beyond current residents while maintaining local control over whether the change is implemented.

This bill amends the city charter of Kingsport, Tennessee, to update several administrative and operational procedures for local government. It changes how a vice-mayor is selected, allowing the city board to choose a member to act as mayor during absences or vacancies. The bill also adjusts the timeline for issuing tax collection warrants and removes a requirement to publish tentative budget proposals in a newspaper. Additionally, it shifts the start date for elected school board members from July 1 to September 1, while keeping vacancy fill procedures unchanged. These changes affect city officials, taxpayers, and school board members by modifying specific rules for governance and fiscal management.

This bill reorganizes Rutherford County's highway management structure by repealing outdated laws and establishing a new County Highway Commission divided into seven Road Board Zones. Each zone will be represented by elected members serving staggered four-year terms, with elections scheduled for 2026 and 2028, and zone boundaries will align with existing county commission districts to ensure equal population representation. The bill also creates an elected County Highway Superintendent who will oversee road construction, maintenance, and drainage easements, while the County Mayor may attend commission meetings without voting rights.

This bill proposes changes to how the town of Ashland City elects its mayor and council members, taking effect on January 1, 2026. Under the new rules, the mayor would be elected by all voters in the town, while the six council members would be elected by voters in their specific wards. The bill also requires all elections to be nonpartisan and establishes a staggered four-year term system for all positions. Importantly, the bill requires approval by a two-thirds vote of the town's legislative body before it can take effect.

This bill is a joint resolution that formally congratulates Governor Bill Lee for deploying the Tennessee National Guard to assist law enforcement in Memphis. It recognizes the Governor's response to a declared emergency and acknowledges the National Guard's role in supporting the Memphis Safe Task Force, which aims to reduce violent crime through increased policing and investigations. The resolution expresses gratitude to National Guard members for their service and does not create any new laws or policy requirements. It serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of past actions rather than establishing future obligations or changes to state operations.

This bill would transfer power in Oakland from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to the Town Manager, allowing the manager to appoint and remove all directors and department heads except the town recorder. The Town Manager would become the chief administrative officer responsible for running all town departments, while the board would only interact with the town through the manager without giving direct orders to staff. The bill requires a two-thirds vote by Oakland's legislative body to approve these changes before they take effect.

This Tennessee House Joint Resolution commemorates National Pencil Day on March 30, 2026, to recognize the pencil's historical and educational significance. The measure acknowledges the pencil's role in fostering creativity, education, and written communication throughout history, highlighting its evolution from early graphite discoveries to modern designs with erasers. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about this writing instrument's enduring value even in the digital age. It is a ceremonial observance without policy changes or funding requirements.

HB 2624 amends Adamsville's city charter to clarify procedures for filling vacancies in the mayor's office or city commission. It defines vacancies as occurring due to resignation, death, moving out of the city, removal, or conviction for certain crimes (including felonies or moral turpitude), which also bars offenders from holding office for 10 years. The city commission must appoint a replacement to serve until the next election, and if they fail to act within 45 days, the mayor appoints within 15 days. The bill requires Adamsville's legislative body to approve it by a two-thirds vote before taking effect. This directly affects Adamsville's local government operations and election processes.

SB 2696 amends an existing 1997 law to change how Cheatham County's $7,500 development impact fee (known as the Cheatham County Development Tax) is allocated. The bill requires 46.67% of the fee ($3,500) to fund the general education debt service, another 46.67% ($3,500) to a dedicated fund for school building construction and renovation, and 6.66% ($500) for highway and public works projects. This reallocation applies only to new developments subject to the fee and requires approval by a two-thirds vote of Cheatham County's legislative body. The bill does not create new taxes but modifies the distribution of an existing fee.

SB 2697 would amend Springfield's city charter to allow relatives of city employees to be hired in departments *other than* the employee's department, while maintaining existing bans on hiring relatives of elected officials or city managers. This change would directly affect Springfield city employees and their relatives, as well as the city's hiring practices. The bill requires Springfield's city council to approve the change by a two-thirds vote before it takes effect. If approved, it would modify the current "nepotism" rule that previously prohibited hiring relatives in the same department.

SB 2695 would reorganize Cheatham County's school governance by creating seven school districts (up from six) for the 2032 election cycle. Each district would elect one board member, increasing the total board size from six to seven members. The bill requires approval by Cheatham County's legislative body before implementation and ensures current board members serve out their terms while a new member is elected in 2032 to fill the additional seat. This change directly affects Cheatham County residents by altering local school board election structures and representation.