Tennessee House Bill HB2677

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24
• Refer: 3/13/24
• Refer: 3/19/24
• Refer: 4/17/24
• Engrossed: 4/23/24
• Enrolled: 4/30/24
• Passed: 5/21/24
• Chaptered: 5/29/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2; Title 5 and Title 7, relative to training for members of county legislative bodies.

Impact

The passage of HB 2677 is expected to enhance the educational level and competency of county legislative members across Tennessee. By establishing formal training requirements, the bill aims to ensure that these officials possess the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively govern and make informed decisions. The provision for counties to offer a supplement to the salaries of those who complete the training could serve as an incentive for legislative members to engage in continuous learning, potentially leading to better governance and community involvement.

Summary

House Bill 2677 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated pertaining to the training requirements for members of county legislative bodies. The legislation mandates that newly elected or appointed members complete an orientation training within 120 days from their appointment. Additionally, these members are required to participate in at least eight hours of continuing education training annually, starting September 1, 2024. The training will be provided by the University of Tennessee's county technical assistance service (CTAS), which will also ensure compliance by posting the training completion records on its website.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 2677 appears to be positive, with broad support from various stakeholders who see the value in having well-trained legislative members. This initiative is viewed as a step towards improving local governance and accountability. However, there may be some concerns regarding the implementation of such training requirements, particularly regarding the availability of resources and the feasibility for all members to meet these new standards, especially in smaller counties with limited budgets.

Contention

While there appears to be overall support for the bill, some opposition may arise concerning the added pressure these training requirements impose on existing legislative members, particularly those who may already be facing time constraints due to their responsibilities. Additionally, concerns regarding the state's role in mandating training for local officials could be a point of contention, particularly among those who advocate for local autonomy and governance.