Tennessee House Bill HB1799

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/22/24
• Refer: 3/6/24
• Refer: 4/2/24
• Chaptered: 5/9/24
• Passed: 5/9/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, relative to county election commissions.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1799 will result in more stringent reporting requirements for election officials when attending training sessions or conferences outside the state. Administrators will need to submit records detailing the name, location, date of the event, as well as the funding sources and duration of their attendance. This increased oversight is likely to instill a greater sense of responsibility among election administrators and may deter unnecessary or extravagant spending of taxpayer funds on external training programs.

Summary

House Bill 1799 aims to introduce measures that enhance transparency and accountability within county election commissions in Tennessee. By requiring administrators of elections to report detailed information regarding their attendances at out-of-state educational events, this bill seeks to ensure that public funds are utilized appropriately and that there is a comprehensive record of expenditures related to election administration. These regulations are set forth in an amendment to the Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, which governs election procedures.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding HB 1799 appears to be supportive among those advocating for greater accountability in government spending. Proponents argue that the bill is a necessary step in ensuring that election officials operate with transparency and adhere to ethical standards. However, there may be concerns from those within the election administration community regarding the potential increase in administrative burden and the implications of extreme scrutiny on their professional development opportunities.

Contention

Notable points of contention around the bill may arise from the potential administrative workload placed on county election commissions. Critics could argue that while the intention behind the bill is commendable, the reporting requirements could create an additional bureaucratic layer that complicates the process of professional development for election officials. Additionally, there might be discussions about the appropriateness of state-level oversight into local election administration practices, raising questions about local autonomy versus state control.