All Roll Calls
Yes: 141 • No: 1
TennesseeHB 2653114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT to repeal Chapter 55 of the Private Acts of 1951; as amended by Chapter 68 of the Private Acts of 1957; Chapter 84 of the Private Acts of 1961; Chapter 115 of the Private Acts of 1963; Chapter 191 of the Private Acts of 1967; Chapter 143 of the Private Acts of 1969; Chapter 263 of the Private Acts of 1972; Chapter 391 of the Private Acts of 1972; Chapter 73 of the Private Acts of 1975; Chapter 53 of the Private Acts of 1977; Chapter 149 of the Private Acts of 1981; Chapter 4 of the Private Acts of 1985; Chapter 155 of the Private Acts of 1998; Chapter 160 of the Private Acts of 2002; Chapter 59 of the Private Acts of 2012; Chapter 47 of the Private Acts of 2012 and Chapter 47 of the Private Acts of 2014; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the Rutherford County Highway Commission.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Rutherford County
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Rutherford County replaces highway leadership rules
The law replaces Rutherford County’s 1951 highway law and amendments with a seven-member elected Highway Commission and elected Highway Superintendent. Local effect requires approval by two-thirds of the county legislative body; existing elected officials keep their terms. Commission members serve four-year terms until successors qualify. Zones 1, 4, and 7 hold elections in 2026; zones 2, 3, 5, and 6 in 2028, then every four years. Under the 2021 district map, zones cover these county commission districts: I—5, 11, 12; II—1, 2, 3; III—4, 6, 7; IV—8, 9, 10; V—17, 18, 21; VI—13, 15, 16; VII—14, 19, 20. Zone boundaries follow county commission districts and must maintain substantially equal populations after redistricting. The commission meets monthly, needs four agreeing votes to act, and chooses its chair and vice-chair each September. The County Mayor can attend discussions but cannot vote. The Superintendent’s election schedule starts in August 2024 and repeats every four years, with state highway-administrator qualifications required. The Superintendent controls road construction, repairs, maintenance, hiring, staffing levels, hours, job classifications, wages, personnel policies, purchasing, and spending. Highway and road fund spending must stay within the county-approved budget.
Rutherford highway purchases face bidding rules
Rutherford highway purchases estimated above $50,000 require public advertising, competitive bidding, and Highway Commission approval of contracts. Non-emergency purchases up to $50,000 can skip formal bidding but must follow county purchasing-agent quotation rules. For purchases over $20,000 through $50,000, the Superintendent must get at least three documented quotes whenever possible. Emergencies defined by state law allow waived procedures, but the Superintendent must report emergency spending to the commission in writing. Thresholds and quote rules adjust automatically with the specified county purchasing changes. Local effect requires approval by two-thirds of the county legislative body.
Rutherford highway jobs face family safeguards
The Highway Department cannot hire, promote, supervise, or pay employees in ways that create prohibited direct family supervision. The restriction covers an employee’s spouse, parent, child, or sibling who is a Highway Commissioner, County Mayor, or Superintendent. Family ties include blood, marriage, and adoption. Local effect requires approval by two-thirds of the county legislative body.
Rutherford County must defend highway law
Rutherford County must use authorized legal counsel to defend challenges to this act’s constitutionality or legality. The county pays related costs as provided by law; no dollar amount is stated. Invalidating one provision does not invalidate the rest of the act. Local effect requires approval by two-thirds of the county legislative body.
Rutherford drainage work requires county approval
The Superintendent can enter, build, and maintain public drainage easements, but only those on the county-approved official list. The list has been effective since January 2003 and must be updated each January. Adding or removing easements requires recommendations from the County Engineer and Superintendent, plus Highway Commission consent and county legislative approval. Local effect requires approval by two-thirds of the county legislative body.
Rutherford highway officials get pay rules
The Superintendent receives the salary set under state law, paid in equal monthly installments from the county highway fund. Commissioners receive county legislative members’ regular-meeting pay for their first attended meeting each month, and committee-meeting pay for later meetings. County travel allowances apply, but reimbursement requires a detailed expense affidavit. The Superintendent and commissioners must furnish a bond or have insurance as required by law; coverage amounts and premium payers are not stated. Local effect requires approval by two-thirds of the county legislative body.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Mike Sparks
Republican • House
Bryan Terry
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/2/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 4/2/2026
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 3/30/2026
FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/30/2026
Yes: 82 • No: 1
House vote • 3/26/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
Yes: 17 • No: 0
House vote • 3/16/2026
HOUSE PRIVATE ACTS COMMITTEE
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Pr. Ch. 52
5/1/2026Signed by Governor.
4/16/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
4/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/6/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/6/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/2/2026HousePassed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0
4/2/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/2/2026SenateReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/2/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
3/31/2026HousePassed H., Ayes 82, Nays 1, PNV 10
3/30/2026HouseH. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/30/2026
3/26/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026
3/25/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
3/24/2026HousePlaced on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/24/2026
3/18/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
3/16/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government Committee
3/16/2026HousePlaced on cal. Private Acts Committee for 3/16/2026
3/11/2026HouseP2C, ref. to Private Acts Committee - State & Local Government Committee
3/9/2026HouseIntro., P1C.
3/5/2026HouseFiled for introduction
3/3/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Introduced
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