Tennessee Senate Bill SB0059

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/25
• Engrossed: 2/20/25
• Enrolled: 2/20/25
• Passed: 3/10/25
• Chaptered: 3/21/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 64, Chapter 1, Part 2, relative to the Chickasaw basin authority.

Summary

SB0059 makes two technical changes to Tennessee law concerning the Chickasaw Basin Authority. First, it removes the authority from one list of entities in Title 4, Chapter 29, which governs state boards and commissions subject to periodic review and related administrative provisions. Second, it adds the Chickasaw Basin Authority to a different list in the same chapter, indicating the authority is being placed under a revised statutory classification for state entities. The bill does not change the substantive powers, duties, or mission of the Chickasaw Basin Authority itself. Instead, it updates how the authority is referenced in the Tennessee Code and how it fits within the state’s framework for boards and commissions. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting a legislative intent to make the statutory correction or reclassification effective without delay.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 29 by deleting the Chickasaw Basin Authority from one subsection and adding it to another, while leaving Title 64's creation statute for the authority intact. Its practical effect is to adjust the authority’s placement within the state’s boards-and-commissions statutes, which may affect administrative oversight, review, or reporting requirements tied to those provisions. No direct changes are made to the authority’s operational powers or to private parties.

Sentiment

The available legislative history shows clear support and little controversy. The Senate Government Operations Committee recommended passage unanimously, with 9 yeas and 0 nays. There is no committee transcript indicating debate, opposition, or concern, and the bill was enacted as Public Chapter No. 4 and signed by the governor, suggesting broad agreement that the measure was a routine statutory update.

Contention

There is no recorded substantive contention in the materials provided. Because the bill appears to be a technical or conforming amendment, any discussion would likely have centered on statutory organization rather than policy disagreement. The absence of dissenting votes or transcript debate suggests no identifiable opposing faction or major issue was raised in the available record.