HB 747 - SB 968
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
March 1, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Rebecca Chandler | Email: rebecca.chandler@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
HB 747 - SB 968
SUMMARY OF BILL: Shifts administrative oversight, reporting, and accountability of the
Tennessee Energy Policy Council (Council), from the Chair of the Council to the Departments of
Economic and Community Development (ECD) and Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
Replaces two annual reports with a single, expanded initial report due by July 1, 2026, with future
reports required at least every two years. Transfers energy sector assessment responsibilities from
the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy to ECD and TDEC. Requires reports to be
distributed electronically to legislative committees and posted on ECD and TDEC websites, with
email notifications for registered users.
FISCAL IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT
EXPENDITURES General Fund
FY25-26 $836,900
FY26-27 & Subsequent Years $830,900
Total Positions Required: 3
Assumptions:
• The proposed legislation shifts administrative oversight of the Council from the Chair of
the Council to ECD and TDEC; therefore, transferring responsibility for managing the
council’s operations and ensuring policy implementation.
• Membership of the Council will not be changed.
• The proposed legislation requires a single initial report by July 1, 2026, covering energy
production goals, source analysis, capacity assessments, and emerging technologies. Future
reports will be issued at least every two years, made publicly available online, and distributed
electronically to relevant legislative committees instead of being submitted directly to the
Governor and select Legislative Leaders.
• With the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center (Center) no longer responsible for energy sector
assessments, these responsibilities will shift to ECD and TDEC.
• It is assumed that the reduction in workload to the Center will not necessitate a reduction in
personnel.
• Based on information provided by TDEC, the department anticipates outsourcing a portion
of the work, with an estimated annual cost of $500,000. This outsourcing cost accounts for
specialized expertise in energy modeling, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement,
aligning with practices in other states and the Tennessee Valley Authority's Integrated
Resource Plan process, which have ranged from $750,000 to $1,500,000.
HB 747 - SB 968 2
• TDEC would need two additional positions to manage ongoing oversight, coordination,
and stakeholder engagement:
Title Salary Benefits
#
Positions Total
Senior Policy
Analyst $87,036 $22,467 1 $109,503
Energy Program
Administrator $100,440 $24,691 1 $125,131
Total: $234,634
• An additional $4,000 one-time expenditure will be required for computers and related
equipment, bringing the total one-time increase in FY25-26 to $238,634 ($234,634 for
salaries + $4,000 for equipment).
• Based on information provided by ECD, an additional position would be required to fulfill
the legislation’s requirements:
Title Salary Benefits
#
Positions Total
Project
Manager $75,720 $20,590 1 $96,310
• There will be an additional one-time expenditure of $2,000 for computers and related
equipment. Therefore, the one-time increase in FY25-FY26 will be $98,310 ($96,310 salary
+ $2,000 equipment).
• The reports can be distributed electronically to specified legislative committees and posted
on ECD and TDEC websites, with email notifications for registered users utilizing existing
personnel and resources.
• The total one-time increase in state expenditures for FY25-26 is estimated to be $836,944
($500,000 for outsourcing + $238,634 for TDEC personnel and equipment + $98,310 for
ECD personnel and equipment).
• The recurring increase in state expenditures is estimated to bet $830,944 annually ($500,000
for outsourcing + $234,634 for TDEC personnel $96,310 for ECD personnel) in FY26-27
and subsequent years.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director