Week in Review - Mar 22, 2024

As introduced, clarifies that an "occurrence," for purposes of the Mutual Aid and Emergency and Disaster Assistance Agreement Act of 2004, includes events that result in bodily injury or property damage; specifies the government officials through which mutual aid may be requested under the Act.

As introduced, authorizes the chief legislative body of a municipality to create a voluntary attainable housing incentive program by ordinance for the purpose of authorizing certain incentives to be provided to property owners who seek to build attainable housing.

As introduced, authorizes mayors of certain local governments to enter into voluntary agreements for energy infrastructure improvements for clean or renewable energy; requires that agreements be approved either by resolution of the respective legislative bodies of such local governments or in accordance with statutory requirements. 

Proposes an amendment to Article VI, Section 14 of the Tennessee Constitution to authorize municipal courts to impose civil penalties up to $3,000 for violations of municipal ordinances. 

As introduced, authorizes the use of certain third-party examiners, inspectors, engineers, and professionals in lieu of a local or state examiner, inspector, engineer, or professional for certain permitted processes and requirements; establishes procedures and requirements for the use of a third-party examiner, inspector, engineer, or professional. 

As introduced, expresses the intent of the general assembly that the membership of joint economic and community development boards be representative of the populations of the cities and counties for which the boards are formed.

As introduced, requires notices relating to annexation or municipal zoning to be published, posted, or mailed 21 days, rather than 15 days, prior to the public hearing on the annexation or zoning; requires the annexing municipality to provide notice of annexation to property owners whose property is within 200 feet of the territory being annexed; requires signs that inform viewers of the proposed annexation to be posted in and around the area being annexed.

As introduced, removes jurisdictional exceptions to prohibition on discrimination against first responders based upon residency with respect to employment; prohibits all local governments in this state from discriminating against first responders with respect to employment based on residence. 

As introduced, enacts the "Blockchain Basics Act." This bill authorizes an individual to engage in home digital asset mining as long as the individual complies with all local noise ordinances. 

As introduced, authorizes a local government to amend adopted building codes to include three-family dwellings and four-family dwellings within the scope of the residential code.

As amended, prohibits local governments from requiring certain gas utilities to repair more than 200% of pavement or sidewalk surface area disturbed during the inspection, installation, or connection to gas pipes, mains, or conductors.  As introduced, requires the commission to make the annual report the commission submits to the general assembly and governor regarding all matters relating to its office for the preceding year available on its website in a publicly accessible location.

As amended, allows a local governmental entity to purchase gasoline or diesel fuel in bulk amounts that would exceed the applicable bid limits in the open market without public advertisement or competitive bidding, but requires whenever possible to obtain at least three documented quotes.  As introduced, authorizes a local governmental entity to purchase fuel and fuel products in the open market without public advertisement or competitive bidding, but requires the entity, whenever possible, to obtain at least three documented quotes; permits such purchases from the department of general services' contract where available. 

As introduced, removes requirement for receipt of certain grants and loans for water and wastewater treatment infrastructure projects that a municipality includes depreciation in its calculation of fees or rates.

As introduced, raises the penalty for the offense of drag racing from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony.

As introduced, authorizes a uniform procedure to establish infrastructure development districts as an alternative method to fund and finance capital infrastructure through the levy and collection of special assessments. Provides for the uniform operation, exercise of power, and procedure for termination of any such independent district. Defines "host municipality" and other relative definitions. Authorizes the governing body of a host municipality to create, by resolution, one or more infrastructure development districts located in whole or part within the boundaries of such municipality. Requires an infrastructure development district to be approved by the governing body of each host municipality.

As introduced, prohibits counties and municipalities from adopting and enforcing regulations to prohibit gardening and raising limited numbers of chickens or rabbits at single-family residences. 

As introduced, raises the penalty for the offense of drag racing from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony.

As introduced, requires a municipality levying the hotel-motel tax under general law to submit a report annually detailing how the revenue earned from the tax is used by the municipality; requires the comptroller of the treasury to audit the reports of the municipality; requires a municipality found to have used the funds improperly to appropriate general funds in the same amount for promotion of tourism and tourism development; prohibits a municipality, on and after July 1, 2025, from levying or increasing the hotel-motel tax if the aggregate total tax would exceed 8 percent

As introduced, authorizes local governments to regulate the storage of a firearm in a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is unoccupied; applies in counties having a population greater than 98,800, according to the 2020 or a subsequent federal census. 

As introduced, requires notices relating to annexation or municipal zoning to be published, posted, or mailed 21 days, rather than 15 days, prior to the public hearing on the annexation or zoning; requires the annexing municipality to provide notice of annexation to property owners whose property is within 200 feet of the territory being annexed; requires signs that inform viewers of the proposed annexation to be posted in and around the area being annexed.

As introduced, requires the review of executive branch agency policies and spending as it relates to illegal immigration; requires a report to be compiled and delivered to the governor and the speakers of the senate and house of representatives regarding such review. 

As introduced, exempts persons who are authorized to carry a firearm pursuant to an enhanced handgun carry permit or a concealed handgun carry permit from the criminal offense of possessing a firearm in a concealed manner at a meeting conducted by, or on property owned, operated, or managed or under the control of the individual, corporation, business entity, or government entity that is properly posted.

As introduced, creates a recall process for elected municipal officials and school boards.

As introduced, authorizes local governments to regulate the storage of a firearm in a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is unoccupied; applies in counties having a population greater than 98,800, according to the 2020 or a subsequent federal census. 

As introduced, creates a recall process for elected municipal officials and school boards.

As introduced, authorizes a uniform procedure to establish infrastructure development districts as an alternative method to fund and finance capital infrastructure through the levy and collection of special assessments. Provides for the uniform operation, exercise of power, and procedure for termination of any such independent district. Defines "host municipality" and other relative definitions. Authorizes the governing body of a host municipality to create, by resolution, one or more infrastructure development districts located in whole or part within the boundaries of such municipality. Requires an infrastructure development district to be approved by the governing body of each host municipality.

As introduced, prohibits a municipality, or an instrumentality of a municipality, from taking any action that affects or has the potential to affect the tax obligations, fees, or other costs for real property owners whose property is located outside a municipality's corporate boundary, unless the action is approved by the county legislative body in which such property is located.

Proposes an amendment to Article VI, Section 14 of the Tennessee Constitution to authorize municipal courts to impose civil penalties up to $3,000 for violations of municipal ordinances. 

As introduced, authorizes any local government in this state to create a land bank; authorizes a local government to post on its website, if available, a link to a state website or publication identifying surplus real property for sale or conveyance.

As introduced, creates more specific notice requirements for governmental bodies holding public meetings to be used in addition to and not in lieu of other notices required by law. Prior to holding a public meeting a governmental body must post notice of
the meeting, including its location:
(1) In a newspaper of general circulation;
(2) The governing body's website;
(3) Through social media generally; or
(4) Any other frequently trafficked medium where a member of the public
could receive notice of the meeting.

This is the vehicle for the forthcoming property tax cap.  As introduced, extends, from five business days to 10 calendar days after the conclusion of a tax sale, the deadline by which a court clerk must file a report of sale or other notice reflecting the results of the tax sale, prior to the confirmation of the sale by the court.

As introduced, authorizes local governments to regulate the storage of a firearm in a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is unoccupied; applies in counties having a population greater than 98,800, according to the 2020 or a subsequent federal census. 

As introduced, removes requirement for receipt of certain grants and loans for water and wastewater treatment infrastructure projects that a municipality includes depreciation in its calculation of fees or rates.

As introduced, exempts persons who are authorized to carry a firearm pursuant to an enhanced handgun carry permit or a concealed handgun carry permit from the criminal offense of possessing a firearm in a concealed manner at a meeting conducted by, or on property owned, operated, or managed or under the control of the individual, corporation, business entity, or government entity that is properly posted.

As introduced, expresses the intent of the general assembly that the membership of joint economic and community development boards be representative of the populations of the cities and counties for which the boards are formed.

As introduced, authorizes a governing body to provide a period of public comment for each item on an agenda for a public meeting or at the end of the agenda for comment collectively on matters germane to the items on the agenda. 

As introduced, enacts the "Housing Optimization and Market Empowerment Solutions (HOMES) Act of 2024."

As introduced, authorizes a local government to amend adopted building codes to include three-family dwellings and four-family dwellings within the scope of the residential code.

As introduced, requires the review of executive branch agency policies and spending as it relates to illegal immigration; requires a report to be compiled and delivered to the governor and the speakers of the senate and house of representatives regarding such review. 

As introduced, enacts the "Housing Optimization and Market Empowerment Solutions (HOMES) Act of 2024."

As introduced, requires a municipality levying the hotel-motel tax under general law to submit a report annually detailing how the revenue earned from the tax is used by the municipality; requires the comptroller of the treasury to audit the reports of the municipality; requires a municipality found to have used the funds improperly to appropriate general funds in the same amount for promotion of tourism and tourism development; prohibits a municipality, on and after July 1, 2025, from levying or increasing the hotel-motel tax if the aggregate total tax would exceed 8 percent

As introduced, creates a recall process for elected municipal officials and school boards.

As introduced, authorizes any local government in this state to create a land bank; authorizes a local government to post on its website, if available, a link to a state website or publication identifying surplus real property for sale or conveyance.

As introduced, removes the requirement that the state building commission set a ratio for water closets at publicly and privately owned facilities where the public congregates, including certain football stadiums in Davidson County.

As amended, establishes the process of assessment and valuation of low-income housing properties for property tax purposes.  As introduced, increases from 18 to 24 months the period of exemption from real property taxes to which a charitable organization is entitled for the first lot purchased or developed by the organization for the construction of a single family residence for a low-income household. 

As introduced, permits a court to award the reasonable court costs and attorney's fees to a petitioner successfully proving that a governing body knowingly and willfully violated the public meetings laws in this state. 

As introduced, clarifies that only a person who has requested to personally inspect a state, county, or municipal record and whose request has been denied has standing to file an action for judicial review of the denial and that intervention by a non-governmental third party in a public records lawsuit is not permitted. 

As introduced, adjusts the minimum size requirements for one of two noncontiguous tracts of property to qualify as agricultural land under the greenbelt law, from a size of at least 10 acres to less than 15 acres. 

As introduced, prohibits counties and municipalities from adopting and enforcing regulations to prohibit gardening and raising limited numbers of chickens or rabbits at single-family residences. 

As introduced, authorizes a governing body to provide a period of public comment for each item on an agenda for a public meeting or at the end of the agenda for comment collectively on matters germane to the items on the agenda. 

As introduced, excludes recreational facilities, recreational purposes, and parks from the definition of "public use" as it applies to eminent domain.

As amended, prohibits local governments from being liable in a class action resulting from a cyber security event.  As introduced, declares a private entity to be not civilly liable in a class action resulting from a cybersecurity event unless the cybersecurity event was caused by willful, wanton, or gross negligence on the part of the private entity.