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TennesseeSB 1739114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7, Chapter 56, Part 2 and Title 64, Chapter 2, relative to railroad authorities.

Sponsored By: Jessie Seal (Republican)

Became Law

Regional Authorities and Special Districts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Bidding rules for railroad authority contracts

The railroad authority must follow county contracting rules. For purchases or projects over the state bid threshold, it must advertise and use sealed bids or proposals. Similar items are added together to see if the threshold is met. In an emergency that needs immediate delivery or work, it can skip the advertising step.

Railroad authority for Northeast Tennessee counties

The law creates the North East Tennessee railroad authority for Anderson, Campbell, and Scott counties. Claiborne, Union, and Grainger can join only after a two-thirds vote of each county’s governing body. The county’s presiding officer must certify the authorization to the secretary of state. Each county must also state it is willing to fund its share to help run the authority with current members. The authority’s goal is to keep rail service and support local jobs and growth.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jessie Seal

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Sara Kyle

    Democrat • Senate

  • Bill Powers

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 159 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 3/19/2026

Yes: 27 • No: 0

House vote • 3/16/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/16/2026

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 2/19/2026

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 650

    4/6/2026

  2. Effective date(s) 04/01/2026

    4/6/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/1/2026Senate

  4. Signed by H. Speaker

    3/24/2026House

  5. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    3/24/2026Senate

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    3/23/2026Senate

  7. Concurred, Ayes 27, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0630)

    3/19/2026Senate

  8. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    3/19/2026Senate

  9. Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 3/19/2026

    3/17/2026Senate

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/16/2026House

  11. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0630)

    3/16/2026House

  12. Passed H., as am., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 0

    3/16/2026House

  13. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    2/23/2026House

  14. Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0

    2/19/2026Senate

  15. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/19/2026Senate

  16. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    2/19/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 2/19/2026

    2/17/2026Senate

  18. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    2/11/2026Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 2/11/2026

    2/4/2026Senate

  20. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee

    1/22/2026Senate

  21. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    1/21/2026Senate

  22. Filed for introduction

    1/16/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • HA0630 (Substitute)

    3/16/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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