Tennessee Senate Bill SB0958

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 9; Title 67 and Title 71, relative to community-based organizations.

Summary

SB0958 creates a new state grant program for eligible community-based organizations and establishes a dedicated community-based organization grant fund in the state general fund. Eligible organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofits that have served communities for at least five years in areas such as economic or workforce development, education, poverty, health, housing, or social services. The bill states legislative intent for an initial $1 million appropriation in fiscal year 2025-2026 and authorizes grants of $10,000 to $100,000 based on scope, impact, and financial need. The bill also creates a nine-member community grant advisory board within the department to administer the program. The board would include state officials, local government representatives, and nonprofit/community-based organization leaders from across the state’s grand divisions. It would set application guidelines, review grant proposals, award funds, monitor recipients through quarterly reports and site visits, and submit annual reports to legislative committees. The bill allows the department to promulgate rules to implement the program and provides that unspent funds remain in the grant fund rather than reverting to the general fund.

Impact

SB0958 would add new provisions to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 71 and make a conforming amendment to Title 4 to place the new advisory board among state entities. It would create a new special account, establish grant eligibility and administration requirements, and authorize the state treasurer to invest the fund’s money. The bill would also require ongoing reporting and oversight mechanisms for grant recipients and the administering board, thereby expanding state involvement in funding and monitoring nonprofit community services.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a supportive, capacity-building initiative for nonprofit and community service organizations. Its structure emphasizes broad community benefit, sustainability, and local leadership, suggesting a generally favorable policy posture toward community-based organizations. No opposing viewpoints are documented in the provided context.

Contention

No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so no specific objections or supporters are identified in the available materials. Potential points of policy discussion inherent in the bill include the use of state general fund dollars, the size and distribution of grants, the composition of the advisory board, and the preference for organizations led by community members from the populations served. These issues could raise questions about funding priorities, oversight, and equitable access, but no explicit contention is documented here.