Tennessee House Bill HB2175

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/24
• Refer: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/28/24
• Refer: 3/12/24
• Refer: 3/25/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 49; Title 54 and Title 55, relative to pedestrian safety.

Impact

The bill creates a dedicated fund within the general fund known as the Student Pedestrian Protection Grant Fund. This fund will be financed through appropriations from the General Assembly as well as donations and grants. Funding is projected to begin in the fiscal year 2025-2026, allowing local governments to apply for grants on a competitive basis. Each funded project would be required to involve a match from the local government, promoting investment at the community level.

Summary

House Bill 2175 aims to enhance pedestrian safety around public schools in Tennessee by establishing a grant program specifically designated for improving sidewalk infrastructure. This legislation requires the Department of Transportation to administer this program, which would provide financial aid to local governments for the design, construction, repair, or replacement of sidewalks adjacent to educational institutions. The goal is to ensure safer routes for students walking to and from school, thereby potentially reducing accidents and increasing overall safety in school zones.

Contention

While the bill broadly aims to address pedestrian safety, the introduction of grants tied to local government matching funds raises questions about equity in funding. Critics might argue that local governments with fewer resources could struggle to meet the matching requirements, potentially leaving them without access to necessary safety improvements. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the adequacy of the grant funding and whether it will be sufficient to cover the needs of many schools that could require significant sidewalk repairs or enhancements.

Implementation

The act will come into effect as soon as it is signed into law, with the goal of streamlining the allocation of these funds as soon as possible. It empowers the commissioner of the Department of Transportation to set criteria for grant distribution and mandates that recipients report their progress, thereby ensuring accountability and transparency in how the funds are utilized.