Policy
2023 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.
2023 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.
Gun Liability for Business
As initially drafted, HB1005/SB1503, sponsored by Rep. Rusty Grills, Rep. Chris Todd, and Sen. John Stevens, aimed to lower, from 21 to 18, the minimum age required for a person to obtain a concealed handgun carry permit. It also sought to rename “concealed handgun carry permits” to “concealed firearm carry permits”. Of specific concern to the business community was the added liability for businesses that post signage prohibiting firearms.
Chamber Position
The Chamber and other advocacy partners successfully lobbied to remove language in the bill that would add liability for companies businesses that post firearm prohibition language.
Status
The bill was ultimately taken off notice.
Transportation Modernization Act
HB321/SB273, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth and Sen. Jack Johnson, carried Governor Lee’s Transportation Modernization Act language. The bill invests $3.3 billion to accommodate Tennessee’s record growth, address traffic congestion, and meet transportation needs across rural and urban communities. In addition, the legislation grants the TN Department of Transportation the authority to partner with the private sector to design, build, finance, operate and maintain new and additional lanes on existing interstates through Choice Lanes – an infrastructure development model that would allow the state to retain ownership of the roads.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported HB321/SB273. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has long historically been dedicated to improving the region’s transit and transportation infrastructure, and this legislation provided significant financial investment and innovative solutions to address the region’s growing traffic concerns.
Status
The bill passed with bipartisan legislative support and was backed by dozens of organizations across the state.
Data Access for Workforce Development
In Tennessee’s current data system, it is difficult to track the progression of students’ college and career pathways after high school, hindering our stakeholders’ abilities to identify successful college and career readiness programs. SB461/HB902, brought by SCORE and sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson and Rep. Chris Hurt, sought to strengthen Tennessee’s use of data to improve education and workforce outcomes by directing state departments to link actionable data related to preparing students for work.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported this legislation as it would enhance the data available to analyze post-secondary and workforce outcomes for Tennessee’s students.
Status
SB461/HB902, sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson and Rep. Chris Hurt, was delayed until 2024. As a result, Tennessee’s Office of Evidence and Impact has committed to creating and releasing a relevant report this year.
Promising Futures Childcare Fund
HB785/SB750 sought to implement the “Promising Futures Program.” This program would provide scholarships that assist parents and legal guardians of children, who are not school age, to develop early language and literacy skills in high-quality early care and learning programs. The bill would have directed excess revenues from the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act to pay for childcare costs for families with an annual income less than the state median income or and for foster families.
Chamber Position
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce supported the legislation and sponsored a study by Tennesseans for Quality Early Education, entitled “Workforce of Today and Tomorrow: The Economics of Tennessee’s Child Care Crisis,” that recognizes the impact that quality childcare availability access has on the workforce.
Status
The legislation passed successfully out of Senate Education and House K-12 Subcommittee but was not prioritized for funding this year. This is in part because due to sports betting revenues will be used instead to being reallocated to shore up the TN Promise Reserve/Endowment.
Tennessee Works Tax Act
The Tennessee General Assembly approved $400 million in tax cuts for Tennessee families and businesses through SB275/HB323, the Tennessee Works Tax Act. The legislation includes a three-month grocery tax holiday and a paid family leave tax credit for companies to support Tennessee families. It also provides tax relief for Tennessee businesses and increases the state’s economic competitiveness through several changes to Tennessee’s tax laws.
Supporting Families: Grocery Tax Holiday
- No sales tax on food and food ingredients sold in grocery stores from August 1, 2023 through October 31, 2023.
Supporting Families: Paid Family Leave Credit
- For the next two years, companies offering paid family leave may be eligible for a tax credit against their franchise and excise tax liability.
Boosting Small Businesses: $150 Million in Tax Cuts
- Allows companies to deduct the first $50,000 in net earnings from the excise tax.
- Exempts $500,000 of business property from the franchise tax minimum measure.
Ensuring Future Economic Growth
- Aligns Tennessee with over 30 states by adopting “single sales factor” apportionment.
Chamber Position
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce supported the Tennessee Tax Works Act to ensure that Tennessee maintains its competitive low-tax, business friendly environment.
Status
SB275/HB323 passed and became public chapter 377.
FY23/24 Budget
The legislature passed a $56.2 billion budget this year, which included notable investments in several of Governor Bill Lee’s key proposals. Governor Lee’s legislative and budget priorities dedicated $250 million to Tennessee’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing totals to an historic $2.05 billion, and included significant investments in tax relief, K-12 education, expanding Tennessee’s skilled workforce, and conservation. Notably, Lee led a comprehensive school safety proposal to enhance physical security in public and non-public schools across Tennessee.
Of particular interest to the Chamber was the nearly $1 billion allocated to complete the Tennessee College of Applied Technology’s master plan. The funds will go to the improvement of 16 existing TCATs, replacement of seven outdated facilities, and construction of six brand new TCATs at strategic locations across Tennessee. $50 million will be specifically allocated to fully fund TCAT Nashville’s master plan.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported the passage of the budget, particularly with the investment to inclusion of money to fully fund TCAT’s master plan. The $50 million allocated to TCAT Nashville will build new facilities and enhance the campus’ programs.
Status
The budget passed, with the inclusion of TCAT funding.
HOPE Scholarship Eligibility Extension
SB74/HB27, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth and Sen. Bo Watson, allows a student who earns their first baccalaureate degree in less than the projected completion time to continue to receive the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. Eligible Tennessee HOPE scholarship recipients can continue to receive the HOPE scholarship until the student has earned an advanced degree, or for up to five years from initial enrollment, whichever comes first. SB74/HB27 will help meet workforce demands by incentivizing students to graduate sooner and by upskilling students with additional degrees.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported SB74/HB27. The changes will help meet workforce demands by incentivizing students to graduate sooner and by upskilling students with additional degrees.
Status
LEAs to Provide Workplace Skills Training
HB250/SB198, sponsored by Rep. Kirk Haston and Sen. Jon Lundberg, requires LEAs and public charter schools to provide each student the opportunity to take nationally recognized assessments in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years as a strategy for assessing and certifying students’ career readiness and providing students with more additional choices in identifying career pathways. The assessments will measure students’ workplace readiness and soft skills and while providing pathway suggestions for various occupations.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported HB250/SB198, as it further prepares high school students for post-secondary opportunities.
Status
Veteran Commercial Driver's License
SB105/HB88, sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson and Rep. Pat Marsh, eased testing requirements for veterans seeking a commercial driver’s license. As a result, veterans who have operated commercial motor vehicles with the United States Armed Forces, representative of the license class and endorsement for which the person is applying, may obtain a temporary commercial learner’s permit with fewer tests. This legislation helps bridge the gap between full-time military service and civilian employment and could address the truck driver shortages employers currently face.
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported this bill because it will eased requirements on qualified veterans and increase the transportation workforce.
Status
3rd and 4th Grade Retention
The 16 bills filed this year to address 3rd and 4th-grade retention were combined to create one piece of encompassing legislation. The 2021 version of the law took effect for this year’s third graders and hinged on scores for the ELA section of the TCAP. As a result, third graders who scored “below” or “approaching” proficiency in ELA may face retention. HB437/SB300, sponsored by Rep. Mark White and Sen. Jon Lundberg, now requires LEAs to consider results from a second, state-approved benchmark test if students score in at least the 50th percentile. Additionally, students who score “approaching proficiency” will have enhanced opportunities to appeal to their retention or receive extra tutoring.
Chamber Position
The Chamber was supportive of increasing alternative pathways of promotion and increasing flexibility for students and families.
Status
2023 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.
Resolution Urging Nashville Voters to vote YES on 3
RS2022-1851 urged Nashville voters to vote YES on Tennessee Constitutional Amendment 3 in the 2022 November state and federal elections. Before the 2022 election, the language of the Tennessee Constitution read, “That slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, are forever prohibited by this State.” Passage of Amendment 3 ended the exception to the abolition of slavery in Tennessee by replacing that language with “That slavery and involuntary servitude are forever prohibited in this State. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an inmate from working when the inmate has been duly convicted of a crime.” This amendment passed as a joint resolution in 2021 with bipartisan support of both chambers of the Tennessee Legislature. Metro Council supported that effort through the approval of RS2022-1851.
RS2022-1851 was sponsored by Council Members Dave Rosenberg (35), Zulfat Suara (At-Large), Delishia Porterfield (29), Emily Benedict (7), Burkley Allen (At-Large), Russ Bradford (13), Tom Cash (18), Thom Druffel (23), Erin Evans (12), Jennifer Gamble (3), Tonya Hancock (9), Gloria Hausser (22), Angie Henderson (34), Sharon Hurt (At-Large), Courtney Johnston (26), Antoinette Lee (33), Bob Mendes (At-Large), Kathleen Murphy (24), Bob Nash (27), Freddie O’Connell (19), Sean Parker (5), Russ Pulley (25), John Rutherford (31), Sandra Sepulveda (30), Colby Sledge (17), Joy Styles (32), Jeff Syracuse (15), Brandon Taylor (21), Kyonzté Toombs (2), Tanaka Vercher (28), Ginny Welsch (16), Brett Withers (6), and Zach Young (10).
Chamber Position
The Chamber Board voted to support Amendment 3 which removed language that allowed slavery from the Tennessee Constitution. Slavery is outlawed by the United State Constitution and in Tennessee. However, like twenty other states, before the passage of this amendment, Tennessee still had language in its Constitution that allowed slavery as a punishment for crime. In business and everyday life, words matter. In policy, there are no more impactful words than those in the document governing Tennessee law so clearly removing any form of slavery from the Tennessee Constitution was critical.
Status
RS2022-1851 (Rosenberg, Suara, Porterfield, Benedict, Allen, Bradford, Cash, Druffel, Evans, Gamble, Hancock, Hausser, Henderson, Hurt, Johnston, Lee, Mendes, Murphy, Nash, O’Connell, Parker, Pulley, Rutherford, Sepulveda, Sledge, Styles, Syracuse, Taylor, Toombs, Vercher, Welsch, Withers, and Young) was adopted by the Council at its November 1, 2022 meeting.
Creation of an Entertainment Commission
BL2022-1631 amended Metro Code to create the Nashville Music, Film and Entertainment Commission. The creation of this commission was a journey of passion by a number of council members and stemmed from previously passed legislation – RS2022-1494 (appropriated
$260,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to carry out a study to identify strategies to assist independent music venues in recovering from the impacts of COVID-19 and other acute stresses) and RS2022-1497 (supported efforts to revive the Music City Music Council into a sustainable and effective initiative).
This bill existed in a few different forms during metro council debate and stakeholder/community conversations, but ultimately the bill landed in a compromise balancing all forms of entertainment including the music industry, film and television industry, fashion industry, video game industry, and other creative industries. The commission will be comprised of three councils – the Music City Music Council, the Film and Television Advisory Council, and the Diversity and Equity Council.
BL2022-1631 was sponsored by Council Members Joy Styles (32), Ginny Welsch (16), Kyonzté Toombs (2), Sandra Sepulveda (30), Angie Henderson (34), Erin Evans (12), Zulfat Suara (At-Large), Jennifer Gamble (3), Kathleen Murphy (24), Delishia Porterfield (29), Burkley Allen
(At-Large), and Jeff Syracuse (15).
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported BL2022-1631 because the music, entertainment and creative industries are a core economy within Nashville, and the Chamber is committed to the healthy growth of this industry. In addition, previous renditions of the Music City Music Council were heavily supported by the Chamber and the Chamber provided $30,000 to help with the study of strategies for music venues.
Status
BL2022-1631 (Styles, Welsch, Toombs, Sepulveda, Henderson, Evans, Suara, Gamble, Murphy, Porterfield, Allen, and Syracuse) was adopted by the Council at its April 18, 2022 meeting.
Non-binding Term Sheet to Finance, Construct, and Operate a New, Enclosed Stadium on the East Bank
RS2022-1827 approved a term sheet describing the terms and conditions of the agreements and transactions required to finance, construct, and operate a new, enclosed multi-purpose stadium on the East Bank, subject to the subsequent approval of final agreements by Metro Council. The non-binding term sheet provided the framework for the final agreement provided in later legislation, BL2023-1741.
RS2022-1827 was sponsored by Council Members Brett Withers (6), Kevin Rhoten (14), Sharon Hurt (At-Large), Zach Young (10), Bob Nash (27), Russ Pulley (25), Jonathan Hall (1), John Rutherford (31), Courtney Johnston (26), Gloria Hausser (22), Larry Hagar (11), Tonya Hancock (9), Joy Styles (32), and Nancy VanReece (8).
Chamber Position
RS2022-1827 approved a term sheet describing the terms and conditions of the agreements and transactions required to finance, construct, and operate a new, enclosed multi-purpose stadium on the East Bank, subject to the subsequent approval of final agreements by Metro Council. The non-binding term sheet provided the framework for the final agreement provided in later legislation, BL2023-1741. RS2022-1827 was sponsored by Council Members Brett Withers (6), Kevin Rhoten (14), Sharon Hurt (At-Large), Zach Young (10), Bob Nash (27), Russ Pulley (25), Jonathan Hall (1), John Rutherford (31), Courtney Johnston (26), Gloria Hausser (22), Larry Hagar (11), Tonya Hancock (9), Joy Styles (32), and Nancy VanReece (8).
Status
RS2022-1827 (Withers, Rhoten, Hurt, Young, Nash, Swope, Pulley, Hall, Rutherford, Johnston, Hausser, Hagar, Hancock, Styles, and VanReece) was adopted by the Council at its December 20, 2022 meeting.
One Percent Increase in Hotel Occupancy Privilege Tax for a New, Enclosed Stadium
BL2022-1529 amended Metro Code by increasing the hotel occupancy privilege tax in the amount of one percent and directed the proceeds to be used for the construction of and future capital improvements to a new, enclosed stadium, and debt service related thereto.
This ordinance was possible through state enabling legislation. Increasing the hotel occupancy privilege tax by one percent for the stadium shifted a large portion of the burden of funding the stadium away from residents. It also provided a way for Metro Nashville to reallocate general fund dollars that would have been allocated to a stadium renovation towards possible quality of life uses for Nashvillians such as infrastructure, safety, and public education.
BL2022-1529 was sponsored by Council Members Brett Withers (6), Kevin Rhoten (14), Sharon Hurt (At-Large), and Robert Swope (4).
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported this ordinance increasing the hotel occupancy privilege tax by one percent for the new, enclosed stadium. It provided a way for Metro Nashville to reallocate general funds dollars that would have been allocated to a stadium renovation, a long-standing financial burden estimated at $1.75B. This is revenue that can be used to invest in schools, infrastructure, workforce development initiatives, and other functions that improve our region’s livability. The current stadium lease was not a tenable option for Nashville’s fiscal health.
Status
BL2022-1529 (Withers, Rhoten, Hurt, and Swope) was adopted by the Council at its December 20, 2022 meeting.
Final Term Sheet for a New, Enclosed Stadium
BL2023-1741 authorized Metro Government to execute and deliver an intergovernmental agreement with the Sports Authority related to the development and funding of a new, enclosed stadium. The legislation also authorized Metro Government to designate a geographic zone where 50% of state and local option sales taxes will be allocated to fund capital projects at the stadium or any onsite or offsite infrastructure necessary for the operation, approve the issuance of revenue bonds by the Sports Authority to finance a portion of the costs related to construction of the enclosed stadium, and the acquisition of the stadium campus from the Sports Authority and the lease of the new stadium site to the Sports Authority.
BL2023-1741 also authorized Metro Government’s execution and delivery of a site coordination agreement relating to the interaction between the operations of the stadium and the development within certain areas around the stadium and authorized the defeasance of a portion of the Metro Government’s general obligation bonds issued to fund the acquisition of the campus on which the stadium is located.
BL2023-1741 was sponsored by Council Members Brett Withers (6), Kevin Rhoten (14), Sharon Hurt (At-Large), Russ Pulley (25), Tonya Hancock (9), Courtney Johnston (26), Zach Young (10), Bob Nash (27), John Rutherford (31), Jonathan Hall (1), Larry Hagar (11), and Nancy VanReece (8).
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported the approval of the final term sheet for the new, enclosed stadium. The new agreement will ensure the early return of 66 acres of prime real estate to the city, ensuring the land can be activated to align with the city’s core mission and projects. This land will be available for the city to unlock new revenue sources through thoughtful development going into the City’s General Fund and a newly created Nashville Needs Impact Fund (NNIF) to address the city’s most prominent needs.
The current stadium lease is not a tenable option for Nashville’s fiscal health. With multiple dedicated revenue streams, a significant $500M contribution from the state, and a backstop guarantee from the Titans on any excess construction cost, this deal alleviates more than $1.75B in liability for Nashville taxpayers. This is revenue that can be used to invest in our schools, infrastructure, workforce development initiatives, and other functions that improve our region’s livability.
Status
Creation of Sidewalk Vending Regulations
BL2023-1647 amended Metro Code related to sidewalk vending and the clearing of obstacles from the public right-of-way. This ordinance delegated authority to the Traffic and Parking Commission to set fees and make rules and regulations for sidewalk vendors. It also authorized the Traffic and Parking Commission to take actions such as suspending and revoking permits, sending written notice of a suspension, revocation, or denial of a permit, and granting the renewal of a permit.
In addition, BL2023-1647 added language to Metro Code making it clear that vending must occur in approved locations and not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create unsafe conditions. This ordinance also amends provisions related to the removal of obstructions in the right-of-way and empowers the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Nashville Fire Department, and Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure to promptly remove any material or obstruction in the public right-of-way.
BL2023-1647 was sponsored by Council Members Angie Henderson (34), Russ Pulley (25), Kevin Rhoten (14), and Freddie O’Connell (19).
Chamber Position
The Nashville Chamber has a vested interest in promoting the Nashville region and the downtown area as a safe and thriving neighborhood for businesses, residents, and visitors. Downtown Nashville has grown over time with increased pedestrian and vehicular movement, straining the use of the public right of way and creating locations where unregulated sidewalk vending caused risks to public safety. Downtown is home to many types of businesses and the Nashville Chamber advocates for actions with accountability that ensure that the downtown core functions effectively, strengthens safety, and diversifies the downtown experience for business, residents, and visitors.
Status
FY24 Metro Nashville-Davidson County Operating Budget
BL2023-1867, as substituted and amended, approved the annual operating budget for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville-Davidson County for Fiscal Year 2024 that included investment in education, affordable housing, transportation, and education support staff pay. BL2023-1867, as substituted and amended, was sponsored by Council Members Kevin Rhoten (14) and Jennifer Gamble (3).
Chamber Position
The Chamber supported Mayor Cooper’s proposed FY24 operating budget and Council Member Kevin Rhoten’s proposed FY24 substitute operating budget. The proposed annual operating budget invests in things that are important to Nashvillians, our Chamber members, and helps to maintain and strengthen Nashville’s quality of life. Some highlights of the budget include $30 million for the Barnes Affordable Housing Trust, $125,000 for the Housing Incentive Program, $5.4 million for the new Office of Homeless Services, and $71.9 million for WeGo.
Status
Download a PDF of the 2023 Metro Legislative Scorecard.
