LEGISLATION BEFORE THE 103rd TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF IMPORTANCE TO THE CITIES AND COUNTIES OF GNRC
HB 102 (Buck): SB 989 (Williams) H- caption bill; S – S&LG
Establishes that outdoor advertising signage does not constitute an industrial, commercial, or business establishment that would be protected by the provisions of the “grandfather” clause under the nonconforming provisions of 13-7-208.
HB 107 (Buck): SB 990 (Williams) H- caption bill; S-S&LG
Establishes that the provisions of 13-7-207 shall not be construed as being applicable to the enlargement, construction, demolition, installation or rebuilding of outdoor advertising signs. Any outdoor advertising sign existing prior to a zoning change would be allowed to remain and be maintained.
HB 375 (Odom): SB 456 (Ford) H- caption bill; S- caption bill
Increases the time from 10 to 30 days for a building inspector to return a certificate of compliance.
HB1160 (Towns): SB 1557 (Dixon) H- S- Gen Sub S&LG
In a home rule municipality located in a county having a charter form of government, no business which may be characterized as a nuisance may be located in a neighborhood if a petition signed by more than 20% of the residences within 3 miles is filed with the “board of zoning” for such municipality.
HB 1210 (DuBois): SB 1181 (Ketron) H- S-Trans
Rails to trails planning. Requires TDOT to conduct an assessment of active, inactive and abandoned railroad corridors in order to identify potential corridors for rail banking and rail-trail conversion. TDOT will have first right to acquire the rail but may assign the right to a county, a city or any transit authority. Establishes a rail-trail development office in the Department of Environment and Conservation.
HB 1217 (Jones); SB 1376 (Crutchfield)
Creates the statewide resource protection council. Designates certain areas as statewide resources such as; national parks, state parks, national historic landmarks, state owned property listed or eligible for the national register of historic places, national fish and wildlife refuges, state owned wildlife management areas, state forest, state owned property designated as part of a scenic river or trail. Requires cities and counties, regional planning commissions or other authorities which have zoning and subdivision regulations to seek and obtain, within one year of the rules and regulations this act authorize to be promulgated, to seek and obtain certification from the council that their zoning and subdivision regulations adequately protect the statewide resources. There shall be a protective area recognized as surrounding said resources which may not be in excess of 800 yards ( some non-compatible land uses may be established within that area). If the entities fail to obtain or maintain the certification, the council may then require the review and approval by the council of any change in land use to occur within the protective area. In areas outside the coverage of zoning or subdivision regulations, the council shall have the same power to regulate land use within the protected area as would a local planning commission including promulgating and enforcing zoning and subdivision regulations within the protected areas.
SB 17 (McNally): HB 226 (Hackworth) H- s/c Local Gov; S- FW&M
Enables cities and counties by resolution to provide for the deferral of payments of real property taxes of residential property due to the renovation of the original structure. The intent of the bill is to encourage rehabilitation of older homes and neighborhoods through property tax deferrals. The residential structure must have been constructed fifty (50) years or more prior to the date of the application for deferral. The resolution shall specify the manner in which collection of the taxes shall be deferred including the length of time for the deferral. Deferrals shall be terminated upon the time set out in the resolution or when the residential property is sold or when the property ceases to be residential in use.
SB 138 (Fowler): HB 1239 (Vincent) H- S- Trans
Authorizes a MPO to allow a local government to draw down funds to design, construct and maintain non-state roads and bridges. Applies to MPO with a county of more than 300,000, and, by a 2/3 vote, the legislative bodies of the largest county and city must authorize the MPO to exercise this authority.
SB 170 (Haynes): HB 1643 (West) H- S- S&LG
Prohibits Metro governments of more than 100,000 from regulating the aesthetics, appearances, or condition of property, buildings, and other structures unless they pose a danger to health and safety of others. Historic districts are also excluded.
SB 348 (Graves): HB 1472 (Briley) H- S- S&LG
Amends the nonconforming “grandfather” clauses of 13-7-208. After 12 months of cessation of a nonconforming use, any new industrial, commercial or other business establishment must be a conforming use. Nonconforming on site signs must be brought into conformity no later than 12 months after notification of the sign’s nonconformance. Off site signs must be brought into conformance with 7 years after notification of its nonconformance. If the off site sign is damaged and the cost of repair is 50% of its replacement value, then the sigh can be replace only if it can be done in conformance with the zoning ordinance. Any structure rebuilt on the site must conform to the provisions of the existing zoning regulations as to setbacks, height, bulk, or requirements as to the physical location of a structure on the site.
SB 365 (Miller): HB 1010 (Newton) H- S- S&LG
A municipality or county that regulates the placement, screening or height of radio antennas shall reasonably accommodate amateur radio antennas. A local government may not restrict the number of support structures for an amateur radio antenna. A local government may impose requirements to meet clearly defined objectives relating to screening, placement, aesthetics and health and safety factors with respect to the erection, maintenance and operation of amateur radio antennas. Antenna structures in excess of set limits shall be allowed by appeal to the local planning authority or in absence of a planning authority to the local governmental entity.
SB 428 (Cooper): WITHDRAWN
Requires certain land uses such as atomic reactors, hazardous wastes, explosive manufacturing, solid waste landfills and recycling, waste incinerators, mining and quarrying and slaughter houses when said uses are proposed to be located in a county with no zoning will require the approval of the county legislative body. The bill sets out the approval process and requirements to be considered by the county legislative body. After the approval by the legislative body, the use applicant may make application to the regional planning commission for approval of the final development plan. The bill also deals with existing non-conforming buildings and structures. Lawful nonconforming uses, buildings and structures existing at the time of the passage of the act or any amendment thereto and which have all required local, state, or federal permits shall be allowed to continue subject to the following provisions: when the nonconforming use of land or structure has been discontinues or ceases for 1 year it shall not be re-established or changed to any use not in conformity with this act; any nonconforming building or use damaged by fire, flood, wind, or act of God may be reconstructed and used as before if done within 1 year of such damage. In which case the repair or reconstruction shall be in conformity with the provisions of the act; the nonconforming use can continue on the portion of the property it now occupies without making application for the designation of the property as a special use.
SB 467 (Graves): HB 680 (Kent) H- s/c Local Gov; S- S&LG
Amends 13-7-208. The provision which allows expansion and construction of additional facilities will not apply to signs. Amends the provision which allows the destruction and rebuilding of structures so that it applies to signs only to the extent that reconstruction returns an existing sign to its original size, shape, form, location, and character as it existed at the time of enactment of, or change to, the zoning regulation.
SB 1097 (Jackson): HB 1586 (West) H- S- S&LG
Amends 13-7-208 by allowing non profit corporations to expand nonconforming structures or uses through the acquisition of additional land.
SB 1144 (Cooper): HB 1355 (Curtiss) H- S-S&LG
Requires approval of certain uses by the county legislative body if there is no county wide zoning regulations. Uses include; arsenals, atomic reactors, explosive manufacturing and storage, hazardous wastes, radioactive wastes, waste incinerators, mining and quarrying, slaughterhouses and rendering plants, and asphalt plants. The powers outlined in the act do not require the county to adopt zoning or establish a planning commission.
PC 1101
HB 469 (Fowlkes): SB 307 (Ketron) H- s/c Local Gov; S- S&LG
If annexation is proposed by municipality upon its own initiative by ordinance, the ordinance shall not become operative until an election is held at the expense of the municipality for the approval or disapproval of such annexation by the qualified voters who reside in the territory proposed for annexation. If the ordinance is rejected, the municipality shall have no authority to take any action or assume any control over such territory. The municipality may call for another election which shall be subject to approval of the qualified voters who reside in such territory as well as the qualified voters of the municipality.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
HB 16 (Turner): H-Judiciary
Creates a new civil right of action against a mayor, city manager, or appointing authority of a local government, as an individual and not in their capacity as a public official, for failing to provide due process in a disciplinary hearing. Damages are established as $10,000 or treble damages actually caused by the violation, costs and attorney fees
HB 31 (Turner): H-Finance
No state funds shall be appropriated to the Greater Nashville Regional Council.
HB 53 (Turner): SB 105 (Cooper) H-Ed; S-Gen Sub Ed
Requires the consolidation by September 1, 2006, of schools so that there is only one local public school system.
HB 93 (Buck): SB 572 (Williams) H-caption bill; S- Trans
Requires on board payment of fare ( for passenger train) and authorizes such fare to be increased but by not more than ¼ of the regular fare.
HB 170 (Briley): SB 336 Cooper H- ;S-FW&M
Converts present law on privilege tax on special nuclear materials from a local tax to a state tax, increases the tax, and earmarks the funds so collected for development of non-nuclear renewable energy sources.
HB 183 (Turner): SB 100 (Cooper) H- ; S- FW&M
Redistributes the Hall Income Tax from cities and counties to the state general fund.
HB 212 (Turner): SB 89 (Cooper) H- s/c State Gov; S-S&LG
No agency which receives state funds for operating expenses shall use any of such state funds for the purpose of lobbying or to make any gift or political contributions to, or for, a candidate for public office.
HB 353 (Odom): H-caption bill
Requires special census to be conducted in a manner directed by and satisfactory to the office of local government of the Comptroller’s office instead of the state planning office.
HB 421 (McDaniel): SB 200 (Ramsey) H- ; S- CL&A
No city, county, or metro government shall have the authority to require private employers to pay employees any wage that is not required to be paid under applicable federal or state law.
HB 425 (Rinks): SB 1058 (Herron) H- Finance; S-FW&M
Redistributes the Hall Income Tax from cities and counties to the education trust fund for BEP.
HB 445 (Bowers): SB 320 (Dixon) H- s/c Local Gov; S- Gen Sub FW&M
The bill would provide for the separate classification and taxation of low income housing property. Any owner (present law already allows charitable and nonprofits an exemption from property taxation) could apply for the classification. If approved, the assessor would appraise the land and compute the tax assessment each year based on the relevant percent (25% or 40%) times its low income housing property value. The subject value would be determined by reference to its net income from its restricted rents.
HB 507 (Buck): SB 1138 (Jackson) H- ; S- FW&M
Changes some areas of funding and responsibilities among state and local governments. For example, purchase of voting machines would be the responsibility of the state; it would be the responsibility of the state to fund all operations of the county election commission but local elections would still be funded by the respective city or county for which the election is conducted; it would be the responsibility of the highway patrol to transport all persons with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance instead of the sheriff’s department, the state would reimburse counties for the housing of prisoners detained in the county facility with the rate to be determined in the same manner as if the prisoner was housed as a state prisoner; and the state would be responsible for 100% of the total cost of instructional salaries and benefits.
HB 549 (McKee): SB 543 (Miller) H- caption bill; S- FW&M
Extends from 40 to 50 days the period under which the local option law allows a county to adopt a local option tax after the municipality in the same county has adopted the tax.
HB 566 (Brooks): SB 438 (Cohen) H-s/c State Gov; S- S&LG
`Establishes the Inner-City Redevelopment Act of 2003. Affords an alternate method for the making of improvements by a municipality, creation of special improvement districts for inner-city redevelopment, levy of assessments and the issuance of bonds by the municipality.
HB 599 (Briley): SB 1606 (Cooper) H- ; S- FW&M
Creates a privilege tax on the storage of special nuclear materials( such as plutonium and uranium). The tax is established a $100 for every metric ton stored within the state.
HB 600 (Briley): SB 448 (Cohen) H- s/c Local Gov; S-S&LG
Requires the 4 Lake Authority to include requirements in any purchase agreement prior to the sale of or lease of land for an uranium enrichment facility.
HB 611 (Harmon): SB 807 (Atchley) H- ; S-Gen Sub CL&A
Prohibits cities, counties, or transit authorities from bargaining collectively with HRAs or Development Districts.
HB 647 (Stanley): SB 733 (Norris) H- s/c Local Gov; S- S&LG
Authorizes cities to jointly create a corridor central business improvement district (linking together two central business districts).
HB 715 (Hackworth): SB 1164 (Dixon) H- s/c Local Gov; S- Gen Sub S&LG
Allows any city or county to create by a 2/3 vote of their legislative body a civil service system.
HB 727 (Curtiss): SB 887 (Clabough) H- Gov Op; S-S&LG
Enacts the Fire Department Recognition Act. After the effective date of the act, no city, county, or political subdivision shall operate a fire department, and no organization, agency, or entity shall operate as a fire department unless it has been duly recognized to do so by the state fire marshal’s office. The state fire marshal shall promulgate rules and regulations relative to the standards and qualifications for becoming and remaining a fire department.
HB 734 (Todd): SB 736 (Norris) H- Ed; S-Ed.
Allows a county local education agency to convert to a special school district.
HB 735 (Hood): SB 627 (Haynes) H- Gov Op; S- S&LG
Increases the appointments made by the governor from 6 to 9 on the RTA Board.
HB 736 (Hood): SB 626 (Haynes) H- Gov Op; S- S&LG
Amends the RTA enabling legislation to expand the Board’s membership by removing the population cap, establishes that action can be taken by a majority of the quorum instead of a majority of the entire membership, allows the board to empower the executive committee as the administrative body and it act in its stead, adds powers to the board such as the ability to own or lease property both personal and real, and to enter into contracts or employee people to construct or operate its transit services. Establishes a local assessment of between 10 cents and 50 cents per capita or a flat rate of $500 whichever is the greater amount .
HB 744 (Fowlkes): SB 720 (Burchett) H-s/c Local Gov; S-S&LG
Changes the title of county executive to county mayor.
HB 990 (Maddox): SB 1680 (McLeary) H- ; S- S&LG
If a city annexes a farm held in trust, no city property tax shall be collected on the property while the land remains as productive agriculture.
HB 998 (Sargent): WITHDRAWN
Remover the limitation prohibiting multiple taxation of occupancy in hotels (cities and counties can tax hotels within their boundaries). 33% of money collected to be allocated to the state’s general fund.
HB 1042 (Rinks): SB 1379 (Crutchfield) H- S- FW&M
Increases local option rate on out of state dealers to 2.4%.
HB 1112 (Tidwell): SB 1543 (Haynes) H- S-EC&T
Establishes the requirements and penalties for violation of the requirements for establishing a single home aerobic sewage treatment plant which does not utilize a field line system for final disposal.
HB 1122 (Shepard):
The salary of the county executive shall not be decreased during the term of office.
HB 1182 (Vincent): SB 1511 (Ramsey) H- ;S- S&LG
No agency which receives state funds for operating expenses shall use any of such funds for the purpose of lobbying or to make any gift or political contribution to, or for, a candidate for public office.
HB 1215 (Maddox): SB 1679 (McLeary) H- ; S-S&LG
If a city annexes a farm held in trust, the city cannot collect property tax while the farm remains in productive agriculture.
HB 1226 (Sargent): SB 1609 (Trail) H- ; S- FW&M
Eliminates provision that a city cannot levy a hotel tax if county has levied one prior to the city, and removes the provision that a county can levy the tax only outside boundaries of the city which has levies such tax.
SB 11 (Fowler): HB 70 (Bunch) H- Finance; S- FW&M
Terminates any federally funded program in which federal funding decreases to 40% or less of the total program costs unless specifically continued by the General Assembly.
SB 106 (Beavers): HB 490 (Buck) H- s/c Local Gov; S- S&LG
Authorizes the counties within the 4 Lake Authority to have nonbinding referendums on the uranium enrichment facility.
SB 109 (Graves): HB 995 (Winningham) H- ; S-Ed 3/5/03
Upon the approval of the local board of education and the appropriate county or municipal legislative body, any county or municipal local education agency may convert to a special school district.
SB 195 (Atchley): HB 465 (Overbey) H- s/c Local Gov; S- S&LG
Requires annexing municipality and the utility provider to agree to a purchase price for the utility’s services and property so annexed. If they cannot agree then each appoints one person to value the services and property. If the two cannot agree then a third person will be selected to do the evaluation and that person’s decision controls.
SB 211 (Dixon): HB 607 (DeBerry) H- Judiciary; S- Gen Sub S&LG
Local governments who have enacted fair housing ordinances may enforce the ordinance in the circuit court of the county in which the violation occurred.
SB 232 (Miller): HB 1816 (Vincent) H- S- Ed
Allows the county commission to provide for the popular election of a director of schools.
SB 338 (Herron): HB 1037 (Rinks) H- ; S-EC&T
Establishes the requirements, and penalties for violation of these requirements, for a single home on site aerobic sewage treatment plant which does not utilize a field line system for final disposal.
SB 447 (Ford): HB 1224 (Jones) H- ; S-FW&M
Requires that state shared taxes and state connected revenue which by law are allocated to municipalities to be paid directly to the municipalities. The bill as drafted applies only to cities in Shelby County.
SB 483 (Burks): HB 996 (Winningham) H- ; S-Ed
Allows county commissions to create elected office of director of schools.
SB 513 (Jackson) ; S- S&LG
The salary of the county executive shall not be decreased during the term of office.
SB 544 (Miller): HB 1466 (Head) H- ; S-FW&M
Transfers motor vehicle registration fee from highway fund to the education trust fund.
SB 582 (Williams): HB 801 (Head) H- Finance; S- FW&M
Imposes special sales tax of 4.5% on diesel fuel used for railroad purposes.
SB 591 (Williams): HB 815 (Pinion) H- caption bill; S- Trans
If a passenger refuses to pay the fare the conductor may put the passenger off at any regular station or any location where the conductor reasonably believes there is a working telephone.
SB 862 (Kyle): HB 1028 (Miller) H- ;S- Trans
Allows TDOT to delegate project development and construction administration to local governments.
SB 877 (Ramsey): HB 1418 (McCord) H- ; S-EC&T
Authorizes unified permit or regulatory fee to be charged for activities affecting storm water management with 25 % of the fee to the state and 75% of the fee to the municipality for expenditure on storm water management cost.
SB 923 (Cohen): HB 1559 (Jones) H- ; S- S&LG
Adds the chairs of the house and senate state and local government committees to TACIR.
SB 1163 (Dixon): HB 1879 (Langster) H- ; S- Gen Sub FW&M
Allows cities or counties to utilize state shared petroleum taxes for mass transit.
SB 1260 (Williams): HB 1399 (Fowlkes) H- ; S-Trans
Requires approval of the state building commission for all highway projects.
GOVERNMENTAL TORT LIABILITY
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
HB 20 (Turner): Would prohibit the use of state funds for the assistance, promotion or deterrence of labor organizations. Forbids state contractors and recipients of state funds and well as employers conducting business on state property pursuant to any contract or agreement from using any state funds in violation of this act. The bill would not apply to any fixed price contract, any other situation where payment of state funds does not depend on the costs incurred by the contractor or any grant or contract awarded before the enactment of the bill.
HB 210 (Turner):
Requires (changes “May” to “Shall”) binding arbitration to resolve disputes in the school systems.
HB 323 (Odom):
A county, municipality or metro may not prohibit an employee from being represented before a civil service commission by a representative of an employee organization or association.
HB 602 (Briley): SB 663 (Cooper)
Allows public employees (an employee of the state and any political subdivision of the state) the right to organize, form, join, assist and participate in activities of an employee organization. Prohibits the right to strike or participate in work stoppage or interruptions.
HB 1216 (Jones): HB 1522 (Kyle)
Enacts the “Professional Police Department Employees Negotiations Act”. Affects both city and county governments. Recognizes the right of professional employees to form, join and assist employee organizations. Strikes can be enjoined by chancery court and participating employees may be subject to dismissal. The local government and the employee organization shall negotiate in god faith the following conditions of employment; salaries and wages, grievance procedures, insurance, pensions and fringe benefits, working conditions, leave and “other conditions of employment”.
HB 1220 (Turner): SB 1393 (Kyle)
Allows cities to make monthly deductions of membership dues.
HB 1307 (Jones):
In Metro forms of government of over 500,000 by a 2/3rd vote of the county legislative body, boards and commissions may enter into memoranda of understanding with representatives of employees or employee organizations. Such memoranda voluntarily enter into are enforceable, provided, that such agreements contain a no strike clause.
SB 1168 (Dixon):
Recognizes the right for municipal or county paid firefighters to organize. Enacts the “Professional Fire Department Employees Negotiations Act”. Strikes may be enjoined by a chancery court. The governmental units and the employee’s organization shall negotiate in good faith the following conditions of employment; salaries or wages, grievance procedures, insurance, pensions and fringe benefits, working conditions, leave, and “other conditions of employment”.
SB 1145 (Kyle): HB 1306 (Jones)
Enacts “Professional Fire and Police Departments Police Employees Negotiations Act”. Strikes may be enjoined and participates may be subject to dismissal. The city or county and the employee organization shall negotiate in good faith the following conditions of employment; salaries and wages, grievance procedures, insurance, pensions and fringe benefits, working conditions, leave and “ other conditions of employment”.
SB 1490 (Harper): HB 1636 (West)
Requires cities to deduct membership dues for police association if association has 50% of all employees who qualify.
AGING
HB 13 (Turner):
Shortens the long term waiver notice to the General Assembly to 30 days; establishes individual expenditure limit within the waiver to no less than 75% of the average total cost of publicly funded institutional nursing home care.
HB 27 (Turner):
Removes sales tax from food purchased by senior citizens at least 65 years old with individual income of $30,000 and $60,000 for married couples.
SB 817 (Ford): HB 975 (Brown)
After July 1, 2003, the commission on aging and disability and local area agencies on aging may not provide direct services to individuals that local community agencies are providing. Area agencies on aging may only provide the following services; advocacy, regional and state planning, facilitating the development of needed services to enable the elderly and disabled to remain home, and monitoring funded contracts. Other services including ombudsman shall be contracted to appropriate community agencies. Direct services includes but is not limited to ; case management, in-home delivered meals, congregate meals, respite, client intake, senior centers, adult day care, transportation, long term care and guardianship services. In areas where no local community agency is willing or able to provide the services then the local area agencies on aging may provide the services.
SB 818 (Ford): HB 976 (Bowers)
Transfers administration of Title V from the Commission on Aging and Disability to the Department of Workforce Development.
ENVIRONMENT
HB 38 (Turner):
Adds Stones River to the Class ll Pastoral Rivers Areas.
HB 39 (Turner):
Requires attachment of a flow filter on all new septic tanks.
HB 40 (Turner):
Adds the Cumberland River form Old Hickory Dam to Old Hickory Bridge in Davidson County to the Class ll Pastoral River Areas.
HB 42 (Turner):
Requires senator and house member who represents the area in which a landfill for solid waste disposal or in which a hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility is proposed to be located to be notified no less that 30 days prior to the date a permit is to be issued by the department.
HB 43 (Turner):
Adds temporary restraining order to the other remedies the courts can issue for enforcement of orders, rules and regulations issued by the commissioner or board.
HB 45 (Turner):
Amends landfill code definition of “persons” to include limited liability company or association.
HB 46 (Turner):
Requires that no landfill for disposal of solid waste shall be constructed and no contract or binding agreement between any person or persons shall be completed or executed unless the location of the landfill area has been approved by the department and the governing body of the area in which the site is located.
HB 47 (Turner):
Owners or operators of landfills shall use native grasses to cover the site when filled or closed.
HB 49 (Turner):
Adds “areas with significant potential for enhancement of water quality” to list of wetland inventory.
HB 965 (Brooks): SB 1022 (Bryson)
A city or county public recycling center that employs adults with a developmental disability shall receive additional funds from the solid waste management fund (amount to be set by commissioner of environment and conservation).
HB 967 (Brooks): SB 1021 (Bryson)
A city or county solid waste disposal facility the employees adults with a developmental disability shall receive 1 and ½ units credit for every 1 unit such facility recycles.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
HB 32 (Turner):
Requires the commissioner of the department of economic and community development to establish microenterprise grants for non profit entities that provide business and financial training and technical assistance to low income entrepreneurs.
HB 199 (Turner): SB 94 (Cooper)
Enacts the Fiscal Accountability in Economic Development Act of 2003. Purpose to the act is to improve the effectiveness of economic development expenditures and to ensure that such expenditures raise living standards for working families. Requires reporting of development substitutes by various state agencies and local governments. Requires the applicant for the development subsidy to complete an application for said subsidy that reports among other things the number of employees and the wage of the employees. A development subsidy is any expenditure of public funds with a value to $25,000 for the purpose of stimulating economic development and includes bonds, grants, loans, enterprise zones, empowerment zones, tax increment financing, fee waivers, land price subsidies, matching funds, property tax incentives, and tax credits. The ranting bodies of these subsidies include agencies and departments of state and local governments. A granting body shall not award a development subsidy if the annual cost per job is greater than $35,000, and the wages to be paid to employees of the receiving entity must be equal to or exceed 85% of the average wage as established under the act.
HB 1204 (DuBois): SB 1182 (Ketron)
Enacts the “Main Street Act of 2003”. Establishes within the department of economic and community development a Tennessee Main Street Program. The department shall; contract with the national main street program to provide technical assistance, designate a program manager and staff, develop objective criteria for selecting participating and demonstration communities, devise a method of inviting eligible communities to submit applications. Establishes a Tennessee Main Street program fund. All private contributions, federal funds, and fees shall be deposited into the fund solely for the operation of the program.
SB 21 (Crutchfield):
Creates a joint select committee of the general assembly to study economic development. The committee is authorized to study: potential creation of industrial development zones, potential grant of taxing authority to any such industrial development zone, use of industrial revenue bonds or other financing mechanisms to provide economic development incentives, tax incentives for businesses to locate in industrial development zones, reimbursement to cities and counties for any lost tax revenues, and any other proposals to encourage or that may otherwise affect economic development in Tennessee.
SB 286 (Clabough): HB 581 (Head)
Creates the Tennessee tourism authority which shall have the following divisions; marketing, communications, heritage and community development, regional grants administration, administrative services, and business development.
SB 1303 (Herron):
Creates and directs Tennessee Industrial Finance Corporation to give priority to activities and projects that expand business opportunities in rural areas.