Tennessee House Bill HB0847

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/23
• Refer: 2/2/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2 and Title 67, Chapter 1, Part 5, relative to the compensation of administrators of elections.

Impact

The act has significant implications for local election offices across Tennessee. By tying the compensation of election administrators to that of property assessors, it seeks to standardize and elevate the salaries of these officials, thereby acknowledging the importance of their role in the electoral process. This could potentially make positions in election administration more attractive and competitive, potentially addressing staffing challenges in the face of rising public expectations for election integrity and efficiency.

Summary

House Bill 0847 aims to amend sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to the compensation of election administrators. The bill mandates that administrators of elections must receive a base minimum yearly salary that equals at least the base salary of the county's assessor of property, provided that the office of the administrator remains open five full days a week. Additionally, if an administrator's current salary is less than this benchmark as of July 1, 2023, the bill ensures a gradual increase of five percent per year until the administrator's salary meets the required minimum.

Contention

While the bill does not appear to have faced substantial public opposition, there may be concerns revolving around budgetary implications for local governments. As counties would need to adjust their budgets to accommodate the mandated salary increases, discussions may arise regarding the long-term financial feasibility of these changes. It is essential to weigh the benefits of increased compensation for election officials against the potential financial strain on local budgets, which could vary significantly across different counties.