Tennessee House Bill HB0073

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Refer: 3/19/25
• Refer: 4/9/25
• Chaptered: 5/13/25
• Passed: 5/13/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 7; Title 8; Title 13 and Title 66, relative to historic preservation.

Summary

HB0073 is a historic preservation bill that limits the Tennessee Historical Commission and other state entities involved in historic preservation from regulating the renovation, alteration, or demolition of improved public or private property that is not listed on the Tennessee Register of Historic Places. The bill applies when a property was considered for, offered placement on, or eligible for the register but was not added after the commission declined placement, or when the property has not received protections, grants, or other benefits tied to register eligibility. The bill also requires the Tennessee Historical Commission to complete its review of relevant information related to a community development block grant for a qualifying property within 15 business days after the act takes effect. If the commission does not meet that deadline, the joint government operations committee of the House and Senate must require the commission to appear and explain the noncompliance. The measure takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

The bill narrows the regulatory reach of the Tennessee Historical Commission and similar state preservation entities by preventing them from using historic-preservation authority to block or condition changes to properties that are not actually listed on the state historic register. It also creates a short statutory deadline for commission review of certain grant-related matters and adds legislative oversight if that deadline is missed. In practical terms, the bill affects property owners, developers, local governments, and preservation officials by reducing preservation-based constraints on non-listed properties and by accelerating review timelines for related funding decisions.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. It advanced out of the House Public Service Subcommittee unanimously and then passed the House State & Local Government Committee by a wide margin, with only one dissenting vote. The committee actions indicate broad support for the bill’s approach, though not complete unanimity.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be the balance between historic preservation authority and property-owner/development rights. Supporters likely viewed the bill as preventing overreach by preservation officials and ensuring that non-listed properties are not treated as if they were formally protected. The lone committee dissent suggests at least some concern about weakening preservation review, limiting the commission’s discretion, or reducing protections for properties with historic significance that are not on the register. The 15-business-day review deadline and legislative enforcement mechanism also suggest concern about administrative delay and accountability.