TennesseeHB 1439114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Chapter 615 of the Private Acts of 1931; as amended by Chapter 326 of the Private Acts of 1941; Chapter 534 of the Private Acts of 1953; Chapter 39 of the Private Acts of 1965; Chapter 20 of the Private Acts of 1965; Chapter 220 of the Private Acts of 1974; Chapter 106 of the Private Acts of 2000; and Chapter 5 of the Private Acts of 2017; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the charter for the City of Ridgeside.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Ridgeside

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 5 costs, 3 mixed.

Nearby property owners can pay improvement costs

Ridgeside can charge special assessments to property next to a local improvement. Examples include paving, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, sewers, and drainage work. Authorized charges on property bordering an improvement can become liens on that property. The city can sue in Chancery Court to collect those charges. The charter sets no assessment amount or formula.

Unpaid Ridgeside taxes risk property loss

Ridgeside taxes are due October 1 of the assessment year, unless city ordinance or state law sets another date. Unpaid taxes incur a 0.5% penalty and 1% interest starting March 1 of the next year, unless an ordinance changes that date. Each later month adds another 0.5% penalty and 1% interest until payment in full. Delinquent tax records carry the force of a judgment, allowing the county collector to seize and sell enough personal property to pay the debt. That debt includes taxes, penalties, interest, costs, and attorney fees. Real-estate taxes, penalties, interest, and costs form a property lien starting January 1 of the assessment year. For unpaid real-estate taxes, the city can seek a tax sale through the county trustee or sue to enforce the lien.

Nonresident property owners gain Ridgeside voting rights

An otherwise-qualified voter living outside Ridgeside can vote in city elections through qualifying property ownership. The voter must have owned taxable real estate held as a freehold within the city for at least one year before the election. The voter must also hold a controlling interest of at least 50% in that property.

Ridgeside employees get merit-based personnel rules

When Ridgeside hires employees, the commission must adopt personnel policies that comply with state law. Those policies must be based on merit, efficiency, and fitness for duty, not personal or political considerations. The law sets no wages or employee benefits.

Public can inspect Ridgeside meeting records

The Ridgeside City Commission must keep accurate records of its regular and special meetings. Those records must remain open for public inspection under Tennessee law.

Ridgeside sets safeguards for legal officers

The commission appoints the city judge for four years and can remove the city attorney at its pleasure. Both must be at least 25, live in Hamilton County, and hold Tennessee law licenses in good standing. The judge must leave office upon moving outside the county. The commission fixes the judge's pay for the term, and that pay cannot change during the term. The judge can work part-time and hold other work only without conflicts with judicial duties. The attorney handles city lawsuits, advice, representation, and city-court prosecutions, and approves specified city documents in writing.

Ridgeside court fines reach $50 per violation

The law establishes a Ridgeside City Court to hear city-ordinance cases within the authority allowed by Tennessee law. A person found in violation can owe up to $50 for each violation. Court costs set by city ordinance are additional. The court can enforce collection of its fines, costs, and forfeitures.

Ridgeside businesses face licenses and taxes

Ridgeside can license and regulate lawful businesses, professions, trades, and other occupations. The city can impose license taxes on those activities or another lawful taxable subject. The charter sets no license fee or tax amount.

Ridgeside can levy taxes with limits

Ridgeside can tax property and other taxable subjects, and set tax classifications, unless Tennessee law forbids the tax. The city cannot grant exemptions beyond those state law allows for state or county taxes. The commission sets its yearly levy after receiving the certified taxable value. The city must adopt an annual budget before spending city money or levying property taxes. The charter sets no tax rates or household tax amounts.

Ridgeside officials keep terms, face residency rules

Commissioner candidates must be Tennessee citizens and genuine Ridgeside residents for at least 12 months before the election. A commissioner who moves outside city limits vacates the office and must resign. The remaining commissioners can declare the seat vacant. The charter change does not remove current officials, shorten their existing terms, or change salaries before those terms end.

Ridgeside safety rules can bring fees

Ridgeside can restrict conduct and property uses that harm or threaten residents' health, safety, comfort, or welfare. The city can require permits and inspections, and charge related fees needed for effective regulation. It can also require building changes needed to make buildings healthful, clean, or safe. These powers support safety but can impose costs on affected owners and businesses.

Ridgeside controls utility rates and exclusive deals

Ridgeside can grant exclusive utility or public-service franchises and contracts for up to 25 years. It can set providers' rates, fares, charges, and service rules. It can require reasonable utility construction, maintenance, operation, and service standards, along with reasonable facility extensions. This supports service access, but exclusive deals can limit provider choice. The city cannot use its utility-rule powers to change or impair an exclusive franchise or contract, and the charter sets no prices.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Bryan Terry
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 113 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

Haynes - HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

Haynes - FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025

Yes: 86 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2025

Haynes - HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 17 • No: 0