Tennessee Senate Bill SB2708

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/25/26
• Engrossed: 3/9/26
• Enrolled: 4/1/26
• Passed: 4/14/26
• Chaptered: 5/1/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Chapter 107 of the Private Acts of 1957; as amended by Chapter 2 of the Private Acts of 1987; Chapter 63 of the Private Acts of 1993 and Chapter 144 of the Private Acts of 1998; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the Williamson County Hospital.

Summary

SB2708 amends the private act governing the Williamson County Hospital District. The bill revises the board of trustees’ authority over district property, specifically allowing the board to sell or lease real or personal property owned or operated by the hospital district, but with important limits. The board would be prohibited from selling any real property and from leasing substantially all of the district’s facilities to one or more entities in a single transaction or related series of transactions without approval from the Williamson County Board of Commissioners. The measure is a local, county-specific governance change rather than a statewide policy shift. It modifies the district’s enabling private act by narrowing and clarifying the hospital board’s power to dispose of assets, while preserving county oversight for major transactions involving the hospital’s facilities or land. The act also includes a local approval requirement, meaning it has no effect unless ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Williamson County legislative body and then certified to the secretary of state.

Impact

The bill changes the legal authority of the Williamson County Hospital District’s board of trustees under its private enabling act. It affects how the hospital district may sell or lease property, limiting unilateral board action on real estate sales and large-scale facility leases and requiring county commission approval for major transactions. The practical impact is on the hospital district, Williamson County government, and any private entities seeking to acquire or lease hospital assets.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests strong support and little opposition, with a 32-0 floor vote to adopt. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous vote indicates the bill was generally viewed favorably, likely as a local governance and oversight measure rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the balance of authority between the Williamson County Hospital District board and the Williamson County Board of Commissioners. Supporters would likely favor preserving county oversight over major asset transfers, while any opposition would likely come from those concerned about restricting the hospital board’s flexibility to manage property or pursue leasing arrangements. The bill’s requirement for a two-thirds local approval vote also means the county legislative body has the final say on whether the change takes effect.