Bill > HB0780

This bill establishes a new annual process for updating and certifying population estimates for Tennessee counties and municipalities during the decade between federal census counts. Specifically, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will be required to revise and certify population figures for each county and municipality before July 1 each year, using population estimates generated by the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee. These annual population estimates will be used to ensure equitable allocation and distribution of state and local funds across different jurisdictions. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code to mandate that money distributed to counties and municipalities based on population must use these annually certified population figures, with exceptions for special censuses and years of federal decennial census updates. The purpose is to provide more current and accurate population data for financial and administrative purposes between the standard ten-year federal census cycles. The new population certification process will take effect on January 1, 2026, giving state agencies time to prepare for the implementation of this new annual population estimation and certification system.

Budget and Finance

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0780&ga=114