Tennessee House Bill HB1790

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/11/24
• Refer: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/6/24
• Engrossed: 2/13/24
• Enrolled: 2/23/24
• Passed: 3/7/24
• Chaptered: 3/19/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 6, Chapter 56, Part 4 and Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5, relative to finance officers.

Impact

By establishing clear educational and testing requirements for municipal finance officers, HB 1790 seeks to enhance the overall competence of local government financial management. The amendments proposed in this bill, particularly those regarding the confidentiality of examinations and test materials, aim to bolster the integrity of the certification process. This legislative change aligns local governance standards with best practices, potentially leading to improved fiscal responsibility within municipalities and greater public trust in local government operations.

Summary

House Bill 1790 aims to amend Tennessee law regarding the certification and training of municipal finance officers (CMFO). The bill mandates the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) at the University of Tennessee to develop a comprehensive curriculum that includes both coursework and examinations focused on current municipal financial management topics. This initiative is intended to create a standardized qualification process for municipal finance officers throughout the state, ensuring that candidates demonstrate a requisite level of proficiency in finance management principles applicable to local governments.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1790 appears to be generally positive, with strong support from proponents who believe that a formalized training program will provide necessary skills to municipal finance officers. Advocates argue that this bill will lead to better financial oversight and management in local governments, which could ultimately benefit taxpayers. However, there may be concerns from some members about the implications of confidentiality clauses for examination materials, which might be viewed as a lack of transparency in the certification process.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support from various stakeholders in the local government arena, some points of contention may arise regarding the balance between ensuring public accountability and maintaining the confidentiality of examination materials. Critics could argue that such confidentiality could hinder transparency and public scrutiny, particularly regarding the professional qualifications of municipal finance officers. The debate may center on how to best support effective training while ensuring governmental processes remain open and accountable to the public.