Tennessee House Bill HB1577

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/21/26
• Refer: 2/9/26
• Chaptered: 3/16/26
• Passed: 3/16/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 4, Chapter 3, relative to the department of tourist development.

Summary

HB1577 makes a narrow administrative change to Tennessee law concerning the Department of Tourist Development. The bill removes the department from one section of the Tennessee Code that lists certain state entities subject to a particular statutory framework, and adds it to another section that places the department within the state’s “sunset” review process for agencies and boards. In practical terms, the bill updates the department’s placement in the statutes governing state agency oversight and periodic review. The measure does not create a new program, change tourism policy, or alter the department’s core duties. Instead, it amends Title 4 to reflect the Department of Tourist Development’s status as a state agency created by existing law and ensures it is included in the appropriate statutory list for review and continuation. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

HB1577 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4 by deleting the Department of Tourist Development from one statutory list and adding it to another, thereby aligning the department with the state’s agency review and continuation provisions. The bill affects the legal status and oversight framework for the Department of Tourist Development, but it does not directly change substantive tourism regulations, funding, or program operations.

Sentiment

The available voting record shows strong, unanimous support for the bill. It passed the House Government Operations Committee 14-0 and later passed on the House floor by consent calendar with 93 yeas and 0 nays. The lack of recorded opposition or committee discussion suggests the measure was viewed as routine and noncontroversial.

Contention

There is no recorded committee testimony or floor debate indicating substantive disagreement. Because the bill is a technical statutory update involving agency placement in the code, any potential concern would likely be limited to administrative oversight or the mechanics of sunset review rather than the policy direction of the Department of Tourist Development. No specific opponents or contested issues are identified in the available materials.