Tennessee House Bill HB1959

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/24
• Refer: 1/25/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Section 29-34-213, relative to charitable organizations providing community services.

Impact

The implementation of HB1959 could significantly affect how charitable organizations operate within the state. By allowing these organizations to use an official state logo, it could facilitate an increase in trust and public engagement with these entities. This measure could lead to greater community support for volunteer initiatives or charitable events since the association with a state emblem may lend increased legitimacy to their causes. Additionally, this shift allows for collaboration between state departments and non-profit organizations, which could enhance community service initiatives throughout Tennessee.

Summary

House Bill 1959 seeks to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 4 and Section 29-34-213, to allow charitable organizations that provide community services to utilize an official state logo or emblem. This authorization can be granted at no cost to the organizations, enabling them to potentially enhance their visibility and credibility in the community. The bill lays down the framework through which state departments, agencies, or officials can permit such usage either free of charge or through a contract with private entities or the charitable organizations themselves.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits, the bill may raise concerns regarding the appropriateness and criteria for using the state logo. There could be debates about which organizations qualify as charitable and how the state logo's usage would be regulated to avoid misuse. Ensuring that only organizations with a genuine community service intent benefit from this provision could be a point of contention among legislators and stakeholders. Discussions may arise on the ethical implications of state branding and how it aligns with state values and policy objectives.