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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: Robert Stevens (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Rutherford County

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Pay and travel for commissioners

Each Highway Commissioner is paid for attending the first meeting each month at the same rate as county legislators’ regular meetings. Pay for any extra meetings that month matches the county’s committee-meeting rate. Commissioners may receive travel under county policy. Travel claims need an affidavit filed with the commission chair. Pay and travel come from the county highway fund.

Salary and car for superintendent

The superintendent’s salary follows state law and is paid in equal monthly checks from the county highway fund. The Highway Commission may also provide a county car for the superintendent’s official use. The highway fund may pay the car’s maintenance and operating costs.

Elected highway superintendent runs roads

The law creates an elected County Highway Superintendent, first chosen in August 2024 and every four years after. Candidates must meet state-law qualifications for county highway chiefs. The superintendent controls where county roads go and how they are built, fixed, and maintained. Work on drainage is allowed only on public easements on the county’s official list, which is updated each January. The superintendent sets staff levels, job classes, work rules, and wages inside the highway department. The superintendent may spend from the highway fund and sign warrants, but only within the budget approved by the county legislative body.

New highway commission and zones

The law repeals the old private acts for the county highway system and sets up a new Highway Commission. Rutherford County is split into seven road zones that match county commission districts. Members serve four-year terms. Zones 1, 4, and 7 are elected in 2026 and every four years after. Zones 2, 3, 5, and 6 are elected in 2028 and every four years after. The county can redraw zones to keep populations roughly equal. The commission meets monthly, picks a chair and vice chair each September, needs four votes to act, and follows open-meetings laws. The County Mayor may attend and speak but cannot vote. Current officeholders keep serving until their terms end.

Bidding rules for highway purchases

The superintendent is the main buyer for the highway department. Non‑emergency purchases over $50,000 need public notice, competitive bids, and Highway Commission approval. Purchases over $20,000 up to $50,000 should have at least three price quotes when possible. In emergencies, normal steps can be skipped, but a written report must go to the commission. If the county raises its general purchasing limits later, these highway limits change automatically to match.

Ethics and bonding for road officials

The Highway Department cannot create a direct supervisor relationship between an employee and a close relative of a Highway Commissioner, the County Mayor, or the Superintendent. Close relatives include a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. The Superintendent and Commissioners must also be bonded or covered by insurance as state law allows.

Local approval and legal defense

This law takes effect in Rutherford County only after a two‑thirds vote of the county legislative body and certification to the Secretary of State. If the law is challenged, the county must defend it through its legal counsel. Costs are paid as provided by law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robert Stevens

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Mike Sparks

    Republican • House

  • Bryan Terry

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 1

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

  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. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/2/2026Senate

  6. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/2/2026Senate

  7. Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0

    4/2/2026Senate

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

    4/2/2026House

  9. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/31/2026House

  10. Passed H., Ayes 82, Nays 1, PNV 10

    3/30/2026House

  11. H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/30/2026

    3/26/2026House

  12. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026

    3/25/2026House

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

    3/24/2026House

  14. Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/24/2026

    3/18/2026House

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

    3/16/2026House

  16. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/16/2026House

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

    3/11/2026House

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

    3/9/2026House

  19. Intro., P1C.

    3/5/2026House

  20. Filed for introduction

    3/3/2026House

Bill Text

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