AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 12-2-114, relative to state leases.
Summary
HB0917 amends Tennessee law governing state leases by narrowing and clarifying one of the conditions under which leased space may be approved. Specifically, it revises Tennessee Code Annotated Section 12-2-114(b)(2)(C) to state that space requirements may qualify when they are "special and unique" as determined and approved by the state building commission. The bill does not create a new leasing program or change lease procurement generally; instead, it adjusts the statutory standard used to justify certain state lease space needs.
In practical terms, the bill gives the state building commission explicit authority to determine whether a space need is sufficiently special and unique to warrant approval under the state leasing framework. This affects state agencies seeking leased space and the officials responsible for reviewing and approving lease arrangements, potentially influencing how exceptions to standard space requirements are documented and authorized.
Impact
The bill amends TCA Section 12-2-114, which governs state leases, by replacing the prior language in subdivision (b)(2)(C) with a more explicit standard tied to the state building commission's determination and approval. This change affects how state agencies can justify lease requests for nonstandard space needs and reinforces the commission's role in approving those exceptions. It is a targeted statutory update rather than a broad overhaul of state property or procurement law.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It advanced unanimously through subcommittee and committee, passed the House on consent calendar with no recorded opposition, and was adopted in the Senate without any nays. The voting pattern suggests general agreement that the amendment was a routine or technical clarification to state leasing law.
Contention
No notable opposition or substantive controversy is reflected in the available record. The only discernible policy point is the degree of discretion given to the state building commission in determining whether leased space is "special and unique," but the unanimous votes indicate that lawmakers did not view this as a disputed issue. The bill's narrow scope and technical nature likely contributed to the lack of contention.