Bill > SB1996

This bill establishes a student pedestrian protection grant program within the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The program will provide grants to local governments to design, construct, and repair sidewalk infrastructure around public schools in the state. The bill creates a dedicated fund for the program, with funding to be appropriated starting in fiscal year 2025-2026. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with local governments required to provide matching funds. The commissioner is tasked with proposing the program's annual budget and establishing the selection criteria for awarding grants. The bill also requires grant recipients to provide progress reports to the department and the department to submit annual reports to the legislature on the program's activities.