A RESOLUTION to confirm the appointment of Michael Bittel of Knoxville to the heritage conservation trust fund board of trustees.
Summary
House Joint Resolution 171 confirms the appointment of Michael Bittel of Knoxville to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees, representing East Tennessee, for a term ending October 31, 2027. The resolution recites his background in business, agriculture, land conservation, and public service, including prior leadership roles and service on the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, as support for his confirmation.
The measure does not create new programs, change funding levels, or amend substantive law. Its legal effect is limited to fulfilling the statutory confirmation requirement in Tennessee Code Annotated section 11-7-104 for gubernatorial appointees to the board, thereby allowing Mr. Bittel to serve in the appointed seat if confirmed by the General Assembly.
Impact
HJR0171 affects Tennessee Code Annotated section 11-7-104 only in the sense that it carries out the confirmation process required for members of the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees. It does not alter the board’s powers, duties, or membership structure, but it authorizes one specific gubernatorial appointee to take office and serve through the stated term. The practical impact is on board composition and oversight of heritage conservation trust fund matters, especially those involving land conservation and related stewardship interests.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received very positively and without controversy. It was recommended for passage in the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee by a 16-0 vote and then passed the House on the consent calendar by a 89-0 vote. The unanimous votes suggest broad bipartisan agreement and little to no opposition to the appointment.
Contention
No notable substantive contention is reflected in the available record. The resolution is a routine confirmation of a gubernatorial appointee, and the committee and floor votes were unanimous. Any discussion implied by the bill text centers on Mr. Bittel’s qualifications—his experience in agriculture, land conservation, and public service—rather than on disagreement over policy, the board’s mission, or the confirmation process.