Tennessee Senate Bill SB2272

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-17-102, relative to eminent domain.

Summary

SB2272 amends Tennessee’s eminent domain statute, specifically Tennessee Code Annotated Section 29-17-102, to clarify what qualifies as a public use for which land may be acquired. The bill expands the listed transportation-related purposes to include not only roads, highways, bridges, and other public transportation facilities, but also associated sidewalks, public greenways, bicycle lanes, pedestrian ways, and proper slope development. In practical terms, the measure broadens and modernizes the statutory language governing government acquisition of private property for transportation infrastructure and related amenities. By expressly naming these features, the bill is intended to reduce ambiguity about when eminent domain may be used for projects that include multimodal and pedestrian-oriented components.

Impact

The bill directly amends the state’s eminent domain law by revising the definition of a qualifying public transportation project under Section 29-17-102. This affects state and local governments, transportation agencies, and property owners by making it clearer that land can be acquired for projects that include sidewalks, greenways, bicycle lanes, pedestrian paths, and slope stabilization or grading associated with such projects. The change may support broader transportation planning and infrastructure development while preserving the legal basis for property acquisition in those contexts.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the limited available context, the bill appears to be a technical and policy-oriented update with no recorded committee debate or vote history provided. The overall tone of the legislation is neutral to favorable toward transportation infrastructure development, especially multimodal and pedestrian-friendly projects. Because no transcripts or votes are available, there is no evidence in the provided materials of organized opposition or strong controversy.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the scope of eminent domain authority. Property owners or critics of eminent domain expansion could view the bill as broadening the circumstances under which private land may be taken for public projects, even if the language is framed as clarification. Supporters would likely emphasize that the amendment simply modernizes the statute to reflect current transportation planning, including sidewalks, greenways, and bicycle infrastructure. No specific opposing or supporting speakers are identified in the provided record.