Policy
2021 Legislative Scorecards
The Chamber values our partnership with elected officials as we work together to create jobs, develop workforce, and build communities. Every year the Chamber’s board of directors adopts a State and Metro Legislative Agenda based on issues identified by our members in our annual policy survey. These agendas are shared with state and local elected officials.
2021 State Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard reports how elected leaders voted on the Chamber’s priority State legislative areas. See how legislators in the House and Senate voted on the following issues.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Tennessee started the 112th General Assembly with the largest reserve in the nation for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – money that is slated to be spent to help low-income families in times of need.
In 2019, half of all children ages 0 – 8 in Tennessee live in households with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level — that’s $51,853 annually for a family of two adults and two children. The United Ways of Tennessee ALICE report (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) says a survival budget is $65,040 for that family of four and also that, pre-COVID, 47% of Tennessee households reported being one emergency away from financial ruin. The impact of COVID-19 will have only worsened these statistics.
The Families First Act acknowledges the importance of maintaining a reserve while also deploying these much-needed resources to mitigate the adverse effects of child poverty and give working families a leg-up to overcome economic hardship. Accordingly, the bill proposes establishing a reserve equal to a full year’s annual federal TANF block grant — $191 million. The remaining monies will be spent primarily on grants to non-profit agencies that promote a doctrine of families’ first in economic inclusion and on pilot projects brought to the state that lead to TANF families becoming self-sufficient. These projects include addressing the lack of affordable childcare, better student outcomes, and an entry path into the workforce that promotes generational success.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported this legislation to promote economic inclusion and a stable workforce during the pandemic and in Tennessee’s economic recovery.
Status
The General Assembly took action supporting the Chamber’s position. The bill has been signed into law as Public Chapter 515.
Right to Work Constitutional Amendment
For 70 years, state law has recognized Tennessee’s right to work status. However, several states have recently seen statutory and legal challenges to such a status. As a result, legislation was passed in 2021, allowing the voters to decide if such a provision should be in the Tennessee Constitution. The issue will now be put on the ballot in the next gubernatorial election to be voted on. If a majority of voters vote in favor of the initiative, it will be formally added to the Tennessee State Constitution.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported this legislation to allow voters to decide if the Constitution should protect Tennessee’s right to work status.
Status
The General Assembly took action supporting the Chamber’s position. The resolution was adopted, and it will need to be placed on the next gubernatorial ballot (2022) for inclusion in the State’s Constitution.
Dual Enrollment
The bill uses Tennessee’s lottery dollars to increase the dual enrollment program available to high school seniors from two total credits to four total credits available and paid for by the state. The newly minted public chapter will also pay for the mandatory fees at the in-state tuition rate. Dual enrollment allows college seniors to enter state institutions and other eligible institutions with college credits they earn while in high school, giving them a leg up and setting them up for success.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported this legislation. It is crucial to have students prepared and even ahead of the curve when it comes to college entrance. This bill meets both economic inclusion and workforce goals. This bill also directly benefits the Chamber’s efforts to support Drive for 55.
Status
The General Assembly took action supporting the Chamber’s position. The bill has been signed into law as Public Chapter 536.
Mandates on Business Health Policy
The bill as proposed would prohibit a private business from denying an individual the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of a place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement on the grounds of the wearing or use of a medical device like a mask, or whether the individual has received medical treatment like a vaccine. It is essentially mandating that a business could not set its own COVID restrictions or protections.
Chamber Position
The Chamber opposed this legislation.
Status
The bill was deferred to the first calendar of 2022.
Data Privacy
The proposed bill sought to make Tennessee one of only four states to have comprehensive data privacy laws at a state level. The bill would have done this by creating a regulatory scheme based within the Department of Commerce and Insurance and adding a private right of action in chancery court for data breaches by companies or people who did not have a direct agreement with the consumer whose data they were using.
Chamber Position
The Chamber opposed this legislation as initially proposed. The bill, as proposed, affects any business that held a database or email list of more than one hundred and fifty people and derived more than 50% of the business’ revenue from that data. This definition was too broad and left Chamber members with concerns. The Chamber continues to work with the sponsor to understand his intent and target regulation consumer protection while maintaining Tennessee’s healthy and competitive business environment.
Status
The bill was deferred to the first calendar of 2022.
Unemployment Reform
Governor Lee and the legislature made significant changes to the unemployment fund to provide stimulus assistance that financially stabilizes the state’s unemployment fund solvency and prevents increased taxes on all employers. In addition, the unemployment reform promotes human resources, employment, and labor law policies that balance employee rights and regulatory burdens on employers.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported a healthy unemployment fund that promotes solvency of the fund while not increasing a tax on employers of all sizes.
Status
The General Assembly acted supporting the Chamber’s position. The bill has been signed into law as Public Chapter 560.
Tennessee Apprenticeship Program Act
Tennessee Registered Apprenticeship Program Act creates the Tennessee Office of Apprenticeship within labor and workforce development. In addition, it establishes the Tennessee Apprenticeship Council and shows the appointment process for members to develop and maintain an apprenticeship program in the state in varying skills as needed.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supports workforce development and teaching the technical skills that students need to leave high school and be ready for the workforce.
Status
The General Assembly acted supporting the Chamber’s position. The bill has been signed into law as Public Chapter 70.
Franchise and Exicse Tax Extension
The Chamber asked for an extension for business on filings for franchise and excise taxes severely affected by the economic downturn and the pandemic.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported this exemption allowing flexibility and recovery.
Status
The General Assembly acted supporting the Chamber’s position. The bill has been signed into law as Public Chapter 559.
Marijuana Discrimination Act
This bill would prohibit an employer from taking any adverse action against an employee or prospective employee who drug tests positive for marijuana.
Chamber Position
The Chamber opposed this bill. Private businesses should be able to set their workplace drug policies.
Status
The General Assembly supported the Chamber’s position, and the bill never received a vote.
Increased Investment in Infrastructure
The Governor proposed dedicated funds in this year’s budget to address infrastructure needs across the state. The greatest need was additional resources dedicated to expanding the broadband footprint.
Chamber Position
The Chamber has supported the increase in access to broadband throughout Middle Tennessee and the state. Access to reliable, affordable internet is a critical factor in employment, education, economic inclusion, workforce development, and regional prosperity.
Status
The General Assembly supported the Chamber’s position, adding $100 million of dedicated broadband funding and giving counites access to more than $100 million to address infrastructure and other needs. Further, federal American Rescue Plan funding addresses broadband needs not met by these unencumbered dollars.
Reentry Success Act
The bill revises provisions regarding the release or preparation of the release of a person from incarceration, such as allowing parole hearings more often and limiting restrictions on probation. Further, the bill reinstates some rights removed during imprisonment, such as obtaining a driver’s license. The bill is bolstered by an evidence-based jail programming project which provides $5 million for programs demonstrated to reduce recidivism rates and increase local collaboration to improve outcomes for convicted felons after release. The project is a tool developed to accompany the increased reimbursement rate program made available to jails.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported the Governor in his effort to reform incarceration so that people leaving the system can be supported in rehabilitation and contribute to the workforce and economic growth of the region.
Status
The General Assembly took action supporting the Chamber’s position. As a result, the bill has been signed into law as Public Chapter 410.
Tax Relief
The General Assembly proposed a change to how excise tax liability was determined due to the fiscal effects of COVID-19. Any amount received between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, through the following programs (see below) funded by the coronavirus relief fund under the federal CARES Act, including any extension or modification thereof, or funded by appropriations under other federal law under Title VI of the Social Security Act, to mitigate the fiscal effects of COVID-19, be subtracted from the net earnings and losses to the extent such amount would otherwise be included in net earnings or loss for purposes of determining excise tax liability:
(1) The Tennessee business relief program or the supplemental employer recovery grant program administered by the department of revenue;
(2) The coronavirus agricultural and forestry business fund administered by the department of agriculture;
(3) The hospital staffing assistance program or the emergency medical services ambulance assistance program administered by the department of health; or
(4) The Tennessee small and rural hospital readiness grants program is administered by economic and community development and finance and administration departments.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported the General Assembly in providing much-needed relief to businesses during a global pandemic and economic downturn.
Status
The General Assembly took action supporting the Chamber’s position. As a result, the bill has been signed into law as Public Chapter 154.
2021 Metro Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard reports how elected leaders voted on the Chamber’s priority Metro legislative areas. See how Metro Council members voted on the following issues.
Lowering Local Street Speed Limits
BL2021-594, as amended, improved safety on local streets by lowering the speed limit on streets designated as “local streets” on the Major and Collector Street Plan within the Urban Services District from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. BL2021-594 was sponsored by Council Members Burkley Allen (At-Large), Bob Nash (27), Freddie O’Connell (19), Angie Henderson (34), Colby Sledge (17), Russ Bradford (13), Joy Styles (32), Jennifer Gamble (3), Brandon Taylor (21), Ginny Welsch (16), Emily Benedict (7), Brett Withers (6), and Courtney Johnston (26).
Chamber Position
The Chamber endorsed the lowering of speed limits on local streets because it benefits the economy in two ways:
- The community’s quality of life, an important input to economic health, is enhanced with improved pedestrian safety.
- Retail, restaurant, and other businesses benefit from visibility with slower speeds and a safer environment for walk-up business.
Status
BL2021-594 (Allen, Nash, O’Connell, Henderson, Sledge, Bradford, Styles, Gamble, Taylor, Welsch, Benedict, Withers, Johnston) was adopted by the Council at its February 2, 2021 meeting. See recorded vote.
Creation of Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) Overlay
Workforce and affordable housing are needed in Davidson County to retain and attract residents and workers. According to the Vital Signs 2020 Survey, 25.4% of Davidson County households are cost burdened, meaning they spend over 30% of their household income on their mortgage or rent.
BL2021-620, as amended, edited Chapters 17.36 and 17.40 of Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code to create a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) Overlay District. This tool would allow a neighborhood to go through the standard process of adopting a zoning overlay to allow detached accessory dwelling units, if the proposed area was eligible, meeting several qualifications. The DADU Overlay ensures design requirements to make sure DADUs are built to scale and have minimum impact on the neighborhood, which include a minimum of 30 contiguous lots, notification to property owners within and proximate to a proposed DADU overlay district, and non-permitted use of DADUs for short term rentals. BL2021-620 was sponsored by Council Members Burkley Allen (At-Large), Sean Parker (5), Ginny Welsch (16), Freddie O’Connell (19), Brett Withers (6), Brandon Taylor (21), Emily Benedict (7), Zulfat Suara (At-Large).
Chamber Position
The Chamber has heard from its member businesses that they struggle to find and retain workforce in part due to lack of housing affordability in Davidson County. The Chamber endorsed legislative action that increases the supply of affordable housing in Davidson County.
Allowing neighborhoods to make the choice to implement a DADU Overlay District and have the option of creating a DADU is one of the many resourceful ways Nashville can increase its housing supply.
Status
BL2021-620 (Allen, Parker, Welsch, O’Connell, Withers, Taylor, Benedict, Suara) was adopted by the Council at its May 18, 2021 meeting. See recorded vote.
Creation of a Department of Transportation
Transportation and mobility options provide access to jobs, education, and amenities for all Nashvillians. Research by Transportation for America has shown that cities that invest in transit during and emerging from recessions experience larger and more equitable recovery. Creation of a DOT aligns resources and action and creates a central point of accountability to improve all forms of mobility in Nashville/Davidson County.
RS2021-794, as amended, took the first steps to transform Metro Public Works (PW) to a Metro Department of Transportation (DOT). RS2021-794 was sponsored by Council Members John Rutherford (31), Bob Nash (27), and Burkley Allen (At-Large).
Chamber Position
The Chamber endorsed the transformation of Metro Public Works to a Metro Department of Transportation. However, while the change in mission, focus and organizational structure is necessary to create a DOT, it alone is not sufficient. The Chamber noted that there must be investment in staffing the DOT – both in terms of expertise and size/scale of staffing to accomplish the stated goals of the DOT. The Chamber urged the Mayor and Metro Council to fund the new DOT adequately and effectively in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 operating budget. In addition, the Chamber urged the city to seek dedicated funding for mobility and specifically for transit. While investments in the CSP and operating budget are needed and appreciated, the scope of the mobility challenges facing the city necessitates dedicated funding.
Status
RS2021-794 (Rutherford, Nash, Allen) was adopted by Council at its April 6, 2021 meeting. See recorded vote.
Economic Impact Plan for the Oracle Development
RS2021-908, as amended, approved the Economic Impact Plan (EIP) for the proposed Oracle development at the River North site. Oracle will receive a 25-year, 50% property tax discount in exchange for Oracle investing $175 million in public infrastructure to support the River North site and create attractive community spaces, bringing value to the River North site. Mayor Cooper committed through his State of Metro to appropriate one half of Metro’s real property taxes collected from this site towards funding affordable housing initiatives, a crucial need for Nashville. In addition, Oracle anticipates creating approximately 2,500 jobs by the end of 2027 for a total of 8,500 jobs by the end of 2031.
RS2021-908 was sponsored by Council Members Sean Parker (5), Kyonzté Toombs (2), Nancy VanReece (8), Zach Young (10), Zulfat Suara (At-Large), Brett Withers (6), Steve Glover (At-Large), John Rutherford (31), Russ Pulley (25), Bob Nash (27), Courtney Johnston (26), Gloria Hausser (22), Mary Carolyn Roberts (20), Tom Cash (18), Bob Mendes (At-Large), Jeff Syracuse (15), Sharon Hurt (At-Large), Ginny Welsch (16), Joy Styles (32), Robert Swope (4), Freddie O’Connell (19), Tonya Hancock (9), Dave Rosenberg (35), Burkley Allen (At-Large), Larry Hagar (11), Thom Druffel (23), Jennifer Gamble (3), Brandon Taylor (21), and Emily Benedict (7).
Chamber Position
The Chamber endorsed the Economic Impact Plan (EIP) for the proposed Oracle development at the River North site. The Oracle development and their investment into the city brings in new jobs for Davidson County residents, infuses wages into the Nashville economy, tax dollars into Metro Nashville’s operating funds, and creates strong, local workforce development opportunities. Oracle values Nashville’s diverse and talented workforce and wants to develop and strengthen partnerships with local institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities, as well as Metro Nashville Public Schools to provide more opportunities for Nashvillians to be hired by Oracle.
Status
RS2021-908 (Parker, Toombs, VanReece, Young, Suara, Withers, Glover, Rutherford, Pulley, Nash, Johnston, Hausser, Roberts, Cash, Mendes, Syracuse, Hurt, Welsch, Styles, Swope, O’Connell, Hancock, Rosenberg, Allen, Hagar, Druffel, Gamble, Taylor, Benedict) was adopted by Council at its May 4, 2021 meeting. See recorded vote.
FY22 Metro Nashville-Davidson County Operating Budget
BL2021-736, as substituted and amended, approved the annual operating budget for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for Fiscal Year 2022 that includes investment in education, affordable housing, transportation, and employee and teacher pay and proposed to stick with the automatic property tax rate adjustment following this year’s reappraisal process. BL2021-736, as substituted and amended, was sponsored by Council Member Kyonzté Toombs (2).
Chamber Position
The Chamber endorsed Metro Nashville-Davidson County’s FY22 Operating Budget. After weathering a year of devasting natural disasters, a COVID-19 pandemic, a bombing, and the city slowly building a strong financial footing, it is time to invest in things that are important to Nashvillians, our Chamber members, and help to maintain and strengthen Nashville’s quality of life. The annual operating budget invests in these critical issues that Chamber members say matter to them, such as transportation and mobility, education, and affordable housing.
Status
BL2021-736 (Toombs) was adopted by Council at its June 15, 2021 meeting. See recorded vote.
