Bill > SB0141

This bill establishes a new Student Pedestrian Protection Grant Program within the Tennessee Department of Transportation, designed to improve sidewalk infrastructure around public schools. The program will create a dedicated fund within the state's general fund, which can receive legislative appropriations, gifts, and donations. Grants will be awarded competitively to local governments, with recipients required to match the proposed expenditures, potentially through in-kind project work approved by the commissioner. The commissioner will determine the annual budget and selection criteria for grants, which can only be used for designing, constructing, and repairing or replacing sidewalk infrastructure near public schools. Grant recipients must submit quarterly progress reports and a final report detailing fund usage, and the department must prepare an annual report to the General Assembly about the fund's activities. Any unspent funds will carry forward to the next fiscal year rather than reverting to the general fund, and the commissioner is authorized to create rules to implement the program in accordance with administrative procedures. The act will take effect immediately upon becoming law, with the stated purpose of enhancing public welfare by improving pedestrian safety around schools.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0141&ga=114