Tennessee House Bill HB0215

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 2/3/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3; Title 4; Title 8; Title 9 and Title 12, relative to a new parking garage for legislative employees. This act makes appropriations for a new parking garage for legislative employees for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.

Summary

HB0215 appropriates $25 million in non-recurring funds to the Tennessee legislature for the planning and construction of a new parking garage for legislative employees. The garage must provide at least 400 parking spaces and be attached to the north side of the Cordell Hull Building. The bill specifies that the facility is to be used solely by legislative employees, and the appropriation applies to the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. The measure is primarily an appropriations bill rather than a broad policy change. It amends provisions in Titles 3, 4, 8, 9, and 12 of the Tennessee Code Annotated only to the extent necessary to authorize the funding and construction project. If enacted, it would direct state funds toward legislative infrastructure and create a dedicated parking facility for legislative staff, affecting state budgeting and capital planning for the General Assembly.

Impact

HB0215 would authorize a one-time $25 million non-recurring appropriation from the state legislature for a capital project, shifting state resources toward construction of a dedicated parking garage for legislative employees. The bill would affect state appropriations and public building planning, but it does not create a new regulatory program or alter private rights. Its practical effect would be to fund design and construction of a 400-space garage attached to the Cordell Hull Building for exclusive legislative use.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or votes were provided, so there is no recorded debate or roll-call history to indicate support or opposition. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears administrative and internally focused, with a straightforward appropriations purpose. Because it concerns a facility for legislative employees, public reaction could reasonably center on spending priorities, but the available record does not show expressed sentiment from lawmakers.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the use of $25 million in non-recurring state funds for a parking garage reserved solely for legislative employees, which could raise questions about spending priorities and whether the project serves a public need. Another possible issue is the scale of the project—at least 400 spaces attached to the Cordell Hull Building—which may prompt scrutiny over cost, necessity, and exclusivity. However, no specific objections, amendments, or opposing arguments are documented in the materials provided.