Housing (Property Development)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 785: Zoning - As introduced, prohibits local governments or planning commissions from requiring more than one means of ingress and egress into a proposed subdivision unless the proposed subdivision has at least 70 residential dwellings. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

SB 785 limits local governments in Tennessee from requiring more than one entrance or exit for new housing subdivisions unless they contain at least 70 homes. It directly affects subdivision developers (especially for smaller projects) and local planning commissions, cities, and counties that previously could mandate multiple access points. The bill prohibits these local entities from enforcing such requirements for subdivisions with fewer than 70 residential units, making any conflicting rule void. It amends Tennessee zoning codes (Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 13) to establish this statewide standard. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to new or amended planning regulations after that date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves local zoning barriers for smaller subdivisions, lowering development costs and enabling more housing options without restricting construction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 1068: Public Funds and Financing - As introduced, creates in the department of human services a community grant advisory board for the purpose of administering the community-based organizations grant program to financially support eligible nonprofit organizations that serve communities in the areas of education, public health, housing, social issues, and economic and workforce development. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 67 and Title 71.

HB 1068 creates a Community Grant Advisory Board within Tennessee's Department of Human Services to manage a new grant program supporting community-based nonprofit organizations. The bill establishes a special fund in the state general budget, initially appropriating $1 million to award grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving communities in education, health, housing, social services, or economic development. Grants require applicants to demonstrate need, outline project plans, and prioritize community-driven solutions, with priority given to organizations led by community members they serve. The board must report annually on fund usage and recipient progress, with unspent funds carried forward annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M from state budget for community nonprofit grants in education, health, housing, and economic development programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates dedicated $1M grant program specifically funding nonprofits serving housing, alongside education/health, through new Community Grant Advisory Board.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 129: Tennessee Housing Development Agency - As enacted, increases, from $4 billion to $5 billion, the maximum aggregate principal amount for which the agency may issue bonds and notes at any one time. - Amends TCA Section 13-23-121.

SB 129 increases the Tennessee Housing Development Agency's (THDA) maximum bond limit from $4 billion to $6 billion. This change allows THDA to issue more bonds to fund below-market interest rate loans for low- and moderate-income Tennesseans. The bill directly affects THDA's ability to provide housing assistance programs, addressing rising demand since 2008. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 13-23-121(a) to update the financial cap.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases THDA bond cap to $6B for below-market loans to low/moderate-income residents, directly funding affordable housing programs to address rising demand since 2008.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 670: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, decreases from 450 to 400 feet from the usual banks of a Class II or Class III scenic river, the maximum area within which development is limited. - Amends TCA Title 11.

HB 670 would reduce the buffer zone for development near Class II and Class III scenic rivers in Tennessee from 450 feet to 400 feet from the river banks. This change would directly affect property owners and developers in these areas by narrowing the area where construction or other development is restricted. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Section 11-13-108(a)(2), to update the distance limit for scenic river protections. The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, but was withdrawn the following day.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces scenic river buffer zone from 450 to 400 feet, weakening development restrictions and environmental protections near waterways.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces scenic river buffer zones from 450 to 400 feet, allowing more development (including housing) in previously restricted areas. This facilitates housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 26, 2025

HB 652: Zoning - As introduced, prohibits local governments or planning commissions from requiring more than one means of ingress and egress into a proposed subdivision unless the proposed subdivision has at least 70 residential dwellings. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

HB 652 limits local governments' zoning authority for new residential subdivisions. It prohibits planning commissions, city councils, county legislatures, and municipal governing bodies from requiring more than one entrance or exit into a subdivision unless it contains at least 70 homes. This applies to all Tennessee subdivisions subject to local planning regulations and takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects developers and local governments by standardizing access requirements for smaller subdivisions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces local zoning barriers for subdivisions, enabling more housing development by standardizing access requirements, which supports increased housing supply and affordability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 63: Tennessee Housing Development Agency - As introduced, creates within the agency the Housing Opportunity and Pathways to Education (HOPE) pilot program to provide support to homeless families and those at risk of homelessness. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 9; Title 13 and Title 71, Chapter 5.

HB 63 creates Tennessee's HOPE pilot program to support homeless families and those at risk of homelessness. It requires the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to establish county-level facilities with health clinics, classrooms, and child-safe spaces, offering four staged support levels - from basic needs like ID assistance and emergency shelter to permanent housing with job training and educational support. The program partners with local nonprofits, streamlines ID documentation using facility addresses, and expires in 2030. It applies only to counties with 100,000-101,000 residents per the 2020 census.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates HOPE pilot program providing homeless families with housing support, job training, and health services through state agency and nonprofits, directly addressing homelessness and funding housing assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 1271: Economic and Community Development - As enacted, clarifies that certain definitions concerning housing facilities and developments with regard to industrial development corporations include affordable and workforce housing; authorizes a municipality or county to approve amendments to an economic impact plan when approving the plan. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 53; Title 9, Chapter 21 and Title 9, Chapter 23.

SB 1271 clarifies that definitions for housing facilities under Tennessee's industrial development corporation laws explicitly include affordable and workforce housing. It modifies economic impact plan processes, allowing municipalities or counties to approve amendments to these plans without requiring additional public hearings. The bill directly affects local governments, industrial development corporations, and housing developers by streamlining plan modifications for projects involving affordable/workforce housing. Key provisions update three code sections to include these housing types in definitions and simplify administrative approvals for economic development plans. The changes aim to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for housing projects while maintaining existing regulatory frameworks.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExplicitly includes affordable/workforce housing in definitions and streamlines development approvals, advancing housing accessibility under industrial development laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 735: Planning, Public - As enacted, specifies that the vesting period established for a construction project or development plan does not expire because of pending litigation challenging a permit; specifies that the vesting period is tolled while such litigation is pending. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 3; Title 13, Chapter 4 and Title 13, Chapter 7.

HB 735 amends Tennessee law to prevent a development project's "vesting period" (the timeframe during which approved permits remain valid) from expiring while a lawsuit challenges the permit. This affects developers and property owners whose permits face legal challenges, as it stops the vesting period from counting down during litigation. The bill requires that the vesting period be "tolled" (paused) for the duration of any pending court case about the permit. It applies to permits under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 13-3-413 and 13-4-310, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents permit expiration during litigation, reducing delays for housing development projects and enabling faster construction of housing units.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 958: Public Funds and Financing - As introduced, creates in the department of human services a community grant advisory board for the purpose of administering the community-based organizations grant program to financially support eligible nonprofit organizations that serve communities in the areas of education, public health, housing, social issues, and economic and workforce development. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 67 and Title 71.

SB 958 creates a Community Grant Advisory Board within Tennessee’s Department of Human Services to administer grants for eligible nonprofit organizations. The bill establishes a special fund to provide financial support ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per grant to 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving communities in education, public health, housing, social services, or economic development. Applicants must demonstrate need, outline project plans with measurable outcomes, and prioritize community-driven solutions. The program requires annual reporting by the board and grant recipients, with an initial $1 million appropriation planned for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates special fund allocating state budget resources ($10k-$100k grants) to nonprofit programs in education, health, housing, and economic development, directly funding public services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates dedicated grants ($10k-$100k) for nonprofits addressing housing needs through a new advisory board program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1313: Real Property - As enacted, creates a vested property right upon the submission, rather than the approval, of a development plan or building permit; specifies that the vesting period applicable when it is based on the submission of a building permit is three years. - Amends TCA Title 13.

SB 1313 changes Tennessee property development law by establishing a property owner's rights upon *submitting* a development plan or building permit, rather than waiting for local government *approval*. This affects developers and local governments, as it secures rights for three years starting from the submission date. The law requires plans to substantially comply with local ordinances, fixes development standards in place at submission for the entire vesting period, and shifts key terms from "approval" to "submission" throughout the code. The bill is now enacted (effective July 1, 2025), streamlining the timeline for project certainty.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines housing development by securing property rights upon plan submission (not approval), reducing delays and encouraging construction within 3-year vesting period.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Landlords Property Development