Tennessee House Bill HB0857

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 12; Title 54; Title 55; Title 64; Title 65 and Title 67, relative to transportation.

Impact

The introduction of HB 0857 is expected to amend several sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically targeting statutes related to local government responsibilities in transportation. By mandating that municipalities and counties provide public access to maps, the bill seeks to establish a more standardized approach to transparency within the transportation sector at the local level. This could lead to enhanced accountability among local officials and a more informed citizenry that is better equipped to participate in governmental processes.

Summary

House Bill 0857 aims to enhance transparency and public engagement in transportation-related matters by requiring counties and municipalities to publish maps on their respective websites. Specifically, the bill stipulates that these maps must be accessible to the public at least thirty days prior to any public hearings. This legislative move is designed to ensure that residents have adequate notice and access to relevant information before local government meetings regarding transportation issues, thereby promoting greater community involvement in decisions that may impact them directly.

Contention

While proponents argue that increased public notice will lead to more informed decision-making and community involvement, there could be opposing views regarding the feasibility of implementing such requirements. Critics may express concerns about the potential financial burden on smaller municipalities, which might struggle to update and maintain online resources adequately. Additionally, there may be debates about whether thirty days is a sufficient time frame for public notice, as community members may require more time to prepare for hearings, depending on the complexity of the transportation matters being discussed.