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TennesseeHB 1804114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Chapter 120 of the Private Acts of 1915; as amended and rewritten by Chapter 21 of the Private Acts of 2009; Chapter 44 of the Private Acts of 2018; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the Town of Mason.

Sponsored By: Debra Moody (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Mason

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Clearer meeting rules and conflict checks

The Board must meet at least monthly with public notice. Special meetings need at least 48 hours’ notice and a clear agenda. Board members must file yearly conflict disclosures, state any conflict in public, and recuse from that matter. Robert’s Rules apply, a Parliamentarian can enforce them, and items can be moved to a later meeting with the Town Attorney mediating between meetings. A quorum is defined (including special vacancy rules). These changes take effect for Mason only after a two‑thirds vote by the Town’s Board.

Town Recorder keeps records and seal

The Board appoints the Town Recorder, who is supervised by the Town Administrator. The Recorder keeps minutes, public records, and the Town seal, and provides certified copies. The Recorder may charge fees set by ordinance or resolution. These changes take effect for Mason only after a two‑thirds vote by the Town’s Board.

Mayor speaks for town, not manager

The Mayor presides at meetings, represents Mason at events, and speaks for the town with other governments. The Mayor does not run daily operations and may not interfere with the Town Administrator’s work. If the Mayor fails to perform official duties, the Vice‑Mayor performs them. These changes take effect for Mason only after a two‑thirds vote by the Town’s Board.

Stronger budget, audit, and spending controls

The fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. The Administrator must submit a full proposed budget at least 45 days before the new fiscal year. The Board must give at least 7 days’ public notice and pass the budget on two separate readings before year‑end, or current spending continues until adoption. Emergency spending and borrowing are allowed by ordinance after declaring an emergency. The Administrator must certify money is available before any bill is paid, with personal liability for unlawful spending. The Town must follow GAAP accounting, get an annual CPA audit, follow purchasing laws, and use two authorized Board signatures on official documents. These changes take effect for Mason only after a two‑thirds vote by the Town’s Board.

Town Administrator runs staff and hiring

The Board hires the Town Administrator as an employee who manages day‑to‑day operations. The Administrator hires and fires most staff; the Board appoints department heads, who serve at will. Department heads and the Administrator must attend Board meetings unless excused. Employees who need licenses must keep them current or face suspension, demotion, or termination. The Administrator names a temporary acting Administrator when absent, and the Board picks an interim if the office is vacant. The Board may create, merge, or remove departments by ordinance. The Board must also keep written personnel policies and review them at least every five years. These changes take effect for Mason only after a two‑thirds vote by the Town’s Board.

Town attorney role and staffing

The Town Attorney must be licensed to practice in Tennessee. The Board appoints the Attorney, sets pay and benefits, and the Attorney serves at will. The Attorney manages lawsuits, advises officials, reviews documents, and attends meetings when asked. The Board may also appoint assistant Town Attorneys. These changes take effect for Mason only after a two‑thirds vote by the Town’s Board.

Who can serve and when they start

The law sets the Board as a Mayor and six Aldermen. Candidates must be qualified voters who have lived in town at least six months before the qualifying deadline. New officials take office on the first Monday in December, or the first Monday after election certification. They must take an oath before serving. Pay for the Mayor and Aldermen cannot change during a term, and vacancies are clearly defined. These charter changes take effect for Mason only after a two‑thirds vote by the Town’s Board.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Debra Moody

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 4/2/2026

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026

FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/23/2026

Yes: 82 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2026

HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

HOUSE PRIVATE ACTS COMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/16/2026

  2. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/7/2026House

  3. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/6/2026House

  4. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/6/2026Senate

  5. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/2/2026Senate

  6. Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0

    4/2/2026Senate

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/2/2026House

  8. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/26/2026Senate

  9. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/24/2026House

  10. Passed H., Ayes 82, Nays 0, PNV 2

    3/23/2026House

  11. H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/23/2026

    3/19/2026House

  12. Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

    3/18/2026House

  13. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/19/2026

    3/18/2026House

  14. Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/18/2026

    3/11/2026House

  15. Rec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government Committee

    3/9/2026House

  16. Placed on cal. Private Acts Committee for 3/9/2026

    3/4/2026House

  17. Action def. in Private Acts Committee to 3/9/2026

    3/2/2026House

  18. Placed on cal. Private Acts Committee for 3/2/2026

    2/25/2026House

  19. P2C, ref. to Private Acts Committee - State & Local Government Committee

    2/2/2026House

  20. Intro., P1C.

    1/22/2026House

  21. Filed for introduction

    1/21/2026House

Bill Text

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