AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 15-2-129, relative to songwriters.
Summary
SB1885 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 15-2-129 to designate the month of February each year as "Tennessee Songwriters Month." The bill states that the observance is intended to promote Tennessee's musical heritage by recognizing the contributions of both past and present songwriters to the state.
The measure is a ceremonial or commemorative designation rather than a regulatory change. It does not create new licensing, tax, or enforcement provisions; instead, it updates state law to establish an annual month-long recognition of songwriters and Tennessee's role in music history.
Impact
The bill changes Tennessee law by replacing the existing statutory language in Section 15-2-129 with a requirement that February be observed as Tennessee Songwriters Month. Its practical effect is to formalize a state observance that can be used by state agencies, schools, cultural organizations, and tourism or arts advocates to highlight songwriting and Tennessee's musical legacy.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received very positively and without opposition. It passed the Senate State & Local Government Committee unanimously 9-0, the Senate floor motion to adopt 32-0, and final passage 91-0, indicating broad bipartisan support for the recognition of Tennessee songwriters and the state's music heritage.
Contention
There is no notable recorded contention in the available materials. The bill's commemorative nature and lack of substantive regulatory impact likely limited disagreement, and the unanimous committee and floor votes suggest that members from both chambers viewed the proposal as a noncontroversial celebration of Tennessee's cultural identity.