Bill > SB1849

This bill amends Tennessee law to create the "Essential Governmental Employee Housing Act of 2026," which allows local governments to develop or lease housing for essential employees, such as teachers and law enforcement officers, who are critical to public services. Essential employees are defined as those whose duties are deemed critical by the local government's governing body, and an essential housing development must consist of at least 100 dwelling units. Local governments, particularly those with strong financial ratings, can use various funding mechanisms, including pledging tax revenue or revenue from the housing developments, and can enter into contracts with private entities for development and maintenance. Before acquiring, leasing, or developing such housing, local governments must submit a plan to the comptroller of the treasury for approval, demonstrating its feasibility and benefit to the state, and the comptroller has 60 days to respond. The bill also clarifies that this new act does not grant eminent domain powers for housing development and that it prevails over conflicting laws. Additionally, the bill makes a minor change to existing law by reducing the time a county has to post revisions to its charter of incorporation on its website from three months to two months.