✍️: https://tncounties.org/tcsa-capitol-update-week-of-april-20-2026/

In this episode of Tennessee County Voice, we break down a chaotic final week of the 2026 Tennessee General Assembly, which adjourned Thursday night after suspended rules, frayed tempers, and a last-minute rush of legislation. TCSA staff were at the Capitol tracking fast-moving developments and pushing back on proposals that posed serious concerns for county governments.

We take a closer look at late attempts to expand Tennessee’s school voucher programs beyond the legislature’s approved limits, including a proposal that would have shifted students into the older ESA program and extended vouchers into Knox County—potentially redirecting both state and local education dollars away from public schools. You’ll also hear how Senate concerns and behind-the-scenes negotiations ultimately derailed those efforts. 

For more details on these issues—and other end-of-session legislation affecting county budgets, education funding, and property taxes—visit the TCSA Capitol Update blog at www.tncounties.org. 

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org

We also cover legislation impacting county governance, updates on 911 funding, and the status of a bill affecting nuisance lawsuits. With final votes approaching, now is a critical time to stay engaged.

Get the latest insights on the issues that matter most to Tennessee counties. Visit www.tncounties.org for more information. 

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org

📚 We begin with developments surrounding Senate Bill 2247 and House Bill 2532, which would expand the state’s Education Freedom Scholarship program. Lawmakers are weighing competing versions of the proposal, with key differences in the number of additional scholarships and changes to protections for public school funding. As budget negotiations ramp up, these details will be critical to watch.

🏛️ In the Senate State and Local Government Committee, several bills impacting county operations saw action. A proposal to eliminate rollback penalties on greenbelt properties failed, while legislation addressing development restrictions was sent to summer study. Meanwhile, a bill establishing a state-funded training incentive for local correctional officers moved forward, and another proposal that would prohibit county employees from serving on county commissions advanced with a delayed implementation date.

⛰️Land use and growth management also remain a central focus. Lawmakers continue to refine legislation that would impose timelines on development approvals, while a separate bill granting local governments more authority over quarry and digital asset mining locations is expected to see floor action soon.

Finally, we cover legislation that would require local governments to obtain approval from the attorney general before entering contingency fee agreements for legal services—adding a new layer of oversight that could impact how counties pursue complex litigation.

As always, stay tuned—final decisions on many of these issues will come down to budget negotiations and upcoming floor votes.

👉 Visit https://tncounties.org for more information.

Note: Due to the holiday schedule, this episode was recorded earlier in the week and may not reflect late-breaking developments. For the latest updates, visit tncounties.org.

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org

In this week’s TCSA Capitol Update, we break down a pivotal week at the State Capitol, where coordinated outreach from county leaders helped halt major threats to local government authority. The proposed property tax cap was taken off notice after lawmakers acknowledged it lacked the votes to advance, preserving counties’ ability to manage their own budgets—for now.

We also cover the defeat of a sweeping land use proposal that would have exposed counties to costly claims from property owners, along with key developments from a packed Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar.

Plus, we highlight what’s still moving—including legislation that could impact growth management, infrastructure requirements, and local decision-making—and share a few positive updates advancing through the legislature.

Stay informed, stay engaged, and stay connected to the issues shaping county government across Tennessee. Please visit www.tncounties.org for more information. 

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org

This week’s Capitol Update highlights a pivotal moment for Tennessee counties, as major legislative proposals advance that could significantly impact local governance, budgeting authority, and land-use regulation.

At the forefront is renewed momentum behind property tax cap legislation (HB 1873 / SB 2064), now scheduled for key committee votes next week. With leadership support signaling increased likelihood of passage, county officials are urged to engage legislators immediately and communicate the potential consequences of limiting local revenue authority without corresponding relief from state mandates. Meanwhile, a separate proposal to impose flat property tax limits was deferred, effectively ending that effort for the year.

Land-use policy also took center stage, with legislation (HB 1837 / SB 1908) that could expose counties to costly financial claims tied to zoning and development decisions. The proposal would allow property owners to seek compensation for perceived reductions in property value—raising significant concerns about the future of zoning, growth management, and local decision-making authority.

Additional development-related legislation continues to move forward, including a bill imposing strict timelines on local governments to approve or deny development applications, with automatic approval penalties for missed deadlines. At the same time, a measure granting counties more authority over the siting of quarries and digital asset mining facilities remains in play.

Despite these challenges, several positive developments emerged. Lawmakers advanced a new grant program for rescue squad equipment, moved forward legislation shifting autopsy costs from counties to the state—potentially saving counties over $1 million annually—and approved measures related to jail intake procedures and emergency communications funding.

With multiple high-impact bills scheduled for action in the coming days, this episode underscores the urgency for county officials to stay informed, engaged, and proactive in shaping outcomes at the Capitol.

For a full breakdown of legislation and ongoing updates, visit tncounties.org.

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org

📆 We also discuss the shift to “final” committee calendars as the legislature moves deeper into the session, with committees working through packed agendas before deadlines close out bill consideration for the year. Several property tax cap proposals remain in play, including the legislation sponsored by Representative Zachary and Senator Watson that has been temporarily deferred but is expected to return for debate.

📚 In addition, this episode covers Governor Bill Lee’s proposal to expand the Education Freedom Scholarship program, ongoing debates over land use and development regulations affecting counties, and other major policy proposals advancing through committees.

🌟 For a full breakdown of the bills discussed this week and what’s ahead in the legislature, visit the TCSA Capitol Update blog.

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org

In this week’s episode of TCSA’s Capitol Update, we break down the latest developments surrounding House Bill 1873. The bill, which proposes new limits on annual property tax revenue growth for counties, was approved in the House Cities and Counties Subcommittee after being amended to allow increases of 3% plus the Consumer Price Index. The measure would still require voter approval at a November election in even-numbered years for counties seeking to exceed that threshold.

This episode also covers several other proposals affecting property taxation, including legislation related to residential property valuations, assessment of movable structures used as residences, and changes to greenbelt rollback taxes.

Finally, we discuss several bills aimed at strengthening funding for ambulance and emergency medical services across Tennessee. These measures would increase reimbursement rates and expand funding streams through TennCare and private insurance — an issue that has become increasingly important as counties face growing pressure to subsidize EMS services.

County officials are encouraged to stay engaged and communicate with their legislators as these proposals continue moving through the committee.

Read the full written Capitol Update and track legislation impacting counties at:

👉 https://www.tncounties.org/capitol-update

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org

County Government Day brought energy, perspective, and a packed schedule to Nashville — but it also came during an unusual week at the Capitol.

In this episode of TCSA’s Capitol Update, we recap a unique legislative week as hundreds of county officials gathered in Nashville for County Government Day while most House committees were paused. Attendees heard directly from  Comptroller Jason Mumpower, Speaker Cameron Sexton, and Governor Bill Lee — who reflected on his time in office and his commitment to rural Tennessee after visiting all 95 counties during his first campaign.

We also discuss a major announcement from Randy McNally, who shared on the Senate floor that he will not seek reelection this November after a decade serving as Lieutenant Governor and a long career in the General Assembly.

Looking ahead, committee calendars are filling quickly — and several bills could have significant impacts on county governments. Most notably, House Bill 1873 would cap local property tax increases at 2% plus inflation and require voter approval for increases beyond that threshold. County associations strongly oppose this legislation, and it is scheduled for committee consideration on Wednesday, March 4.

With 28 additional bills set for hearing in the Cities and Counties Subcommittee next week, this is a critical time for engagement from TCSA members.

For a full written version of this Capitol Update and ongoing legislative resources, visit www.tncounties.org.

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org

For a written companion, including a longer list of bills that were in action this week, please visit www.tncounties.org. 

©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association

For more information, visit www.tncounties.org