Tennessee House Bill HB0434

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25
• Refer: 2/5/25
• Refer: 3/10/25
• Failed: 4/2/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9 and Title 12, relative to public officials.

Impact

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any charitable donations made using public funds must be attributed to the respective public entity and not to individual public officials. This is intended to ensure transparency in how public funds are utilized for charitable purposes. Furthermore, it prohibits naming public facilities after officials who have been convicted of felonies or crimes of moral turpitude, thereby reinforcing ethical standards for public service roles.

Summary

House Bill 434 is a legislative act aimed at amending multiple titles within the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically concerning regulations around public officials and public facilities. The bill establishes restrictions on naming public facilities after individual public officials during their term of service and extends this restriction for a period of two years following their departure from office. This provision seeks to introduce accountability and reduce the potential for conflicts of interest in the naming of publicly-funded properties.

Contention

Debate around HB 434 may surface regarding the implications of restricting the naming of public facilities. There could be differing opinions about the balance between honoring public service and ensuring ethical conduct. Some may argue that this bill protects state interests and enhances accountability, while others might see it as unnecessarily limiting local recognition of officials who have served honorably. Coupled with the donation attribution requirement, the bill may ignite discussions on the proper use of public funds and the ethical obligations of public officials.