Tennessee House Bill HB1756

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/11/24
• Refer: 2/12/24
• Chaptered: 4/3/24
• Passed: 4/3/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 4, Chapter 3, relative to the department of transportation.

Impact

The impact of HB 1756 on state laws lies in its specific amendments to the Tennessee Code, which could potentially change the procedural standards for how the Department of Transportation operates. By emphasizing the importance of performance audits and mandating advancements based on these audits, the bill aims to strengthen oversight and ensure that transportation projects are executed efficiently. If the Department complies with the new reporting requirements, this could lead to more improved practices and greater transparency in how public funds are utilized within the transportation sector.

Summary

House Bill 1756 aims to amend specific sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning the Department of Transportation. The amendments include the deletion of certain subdivisions and the requirement for the Department to report its progress on addressing findings from a recent performance audit. This move indicates an effort to enhance accountability and transparency within the state's transportation sector. By focusing on the Department, the bill seeks to ensure that necessary reforms or improvements are being made in response to previous assessments of the Department's operations and performance.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HB 1756 appears to be supportive, especially from those who advocate for better governmental accountability. Legislators may view the bill as a proactive step towards ensuring that the Department not only acknowledges previous shortcomings identified in audits but also takes appropriate actions to rectify them. However, sentiments may vary among stakeholders within the transportation sector who may have differing opinions on the implications of these amendments.

Contention

While there do not appear to be major points of contention publicly documented in relation to HB 1756, as it primarily updates existing statutes without introducing major policy changes, stakeholders may express concerns regarding the practical implications of implementing the reporting requirements. Questions may revolve around the resources necessary for the Department to meet these new mandates and whether this approach sufficiently addresses the underlying issues identified in past audits.