Bill > SB1404

This bill introduces two key provisions aimed at improving local government representation and decision-making in Tennessee. First, the bill prevents municipalities from taking actions that could impact property taxes, fees, or costs for property owners outside their corporate boundaries without first obtaining approval from the county legislative body where those properties are located. Second, the bill mandates that joint economic and community development boards (which are local boards that typically oversee economic growth and planning) must achieve proportional population representation by July 1, 2029. To accomplish this, the bill requires that at least 90% of a county's population be proportionately represented on these boards, with a gradual implementation process. As board members' terms expire, new appointees must be selected in a way that incrementally improves the board's demographic representation. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will create specific rules to guide this transition, allowing for a small 5% deviation from ideal population representation and requiring board adjustments every ten years following the U.S. Census. This legislation seeks to ensure that local economic development boards more accurately reflect the populations they serve and that municipalities cannot unilaterally make decisions that could financially impact property owners outside their immediate boundaries.

Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1404&ga=114