Tennessee House Bill HB0135

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23
• Refer: 1/20/23
• Refer: 3/14/23
• Refer: 3/29/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, relative to mandatory retirement.

Impact

The passing of HB0135 is expected to standardize mandatory retirement policies for specific law enforcement and conservation roles, thereby potentially enhancing the uniformity of retirement practices across these agencies. This bill addresses concerns regarding the age at which individuals in these positions are required to retire, which might affect factors such as agency operational efficiency, staffing levels, and the retention of experienced personnel. Proponents of the bill argue that the adjustment reflects the evolving nature of these roles and ensures that the state can accommodate skilled individuals as public service needs change.

Summary

House Bill 0135 seeks to amend certain provisions within the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 8, which relates to mandatory retirement. The bill specifies that a mandatory age requirement shall apply not only to commissioned instructors at the Tennessee law enforcement training academy but also extends this requirement to commissioned special agents of the Department of Revenue and commissioned members of the Department of Environment and Conservation, specifically those classified as park ranger, park manager, assistant chief ranger, or chief ranger. This change aims to establish consistent age criteria for retirement across various enforcement agencies in the state.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB0135 may arise from discussions on the balance between maintaining operational effectiveness through experienced staff versus the necessity of introducing new perspectives and energies into law enforcement and conservation roles. Critics might argue that mandatory retirement ages could potentially force out valuable personnel who still possess the capability to contribute effectively to their roles. Additionally, the bill does not provide for any funding to accompany these changes, raising questions about its implementation and the possible financial implications for the state when incorporating new officers or staff to fill vacated positions.