Tennessee House Bill HB1717

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/26
• Refer: 1/22/26
• Refer: 3/2/26
• Refer: 3/11/26
• Engrossed: 3/24/26
• Enrolled: 4/2/26
• Passed: 4/16/26
• Chaptered: 5/1/26

Caption

AN ACT to repeal Chapter 1 of the Private Acts of 2007, relative to the chief executive officer of Roane County.

Summary

HB1717 is a private act for Roane County that repeals Chapter 1 of the Private Acts of 2007, which had changed the title of the county’s chief executive officer from County Mayor to County Executive. By repealing that earlier private act, the bill restores Roane County’s title to County Mayor, aligning the county with Tennessee’s general law that uses County Mayor for most counties. The bill is narrowly focused on a local government title change and does not alter the powers, duties, or structure of county government beyond the office name. It applies only to Roane County and only becomes effective if approved by a two-thirds vote of the Roane County legislative body, making local approval a condition precedent to implementation.

Impact

The bill repeals a 2007 private act specific to Roane County and thereby removes the county-specific exception that used the title County Executive. In practical terms, it brings Roane County into conformity with Tennessee Code Annotated Section 5-6-101, which generally designates county chief executives as County Mayor. The legislation affects Roane County officials, county records, and any references in local law or administrative practice that use the executive title, but it does not change statewide law or the substantive authority of the office.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been received positively and without controversy in the legislative process. It advanced unanimously through the House Private Acts Committee, the House State & Local Government Committee, and on the House floor, indicating broad support. The final adoption vote was also unanimous, suggesting the measure was viewed as a routine local cleanup bill rather than a contested policy change.

Contention

The only notable issue reflected in the bill text is the title preference itself: Roane County had previously used County Executive under a private act, while the general law uses County Mayor. The bill’s findings explain that the County Executive title can create confusion when working with other counties and that the Roane County Executive prefers the County Mayor title. No opposition is reflected in the votes or available discussion, and the bill’s local-effect clause means the Roane County legislative body must approve it before it takes effect.