In less than a month (on January 10, 2023), the 113th General Assembly will convene in Nashville. The first week of session will consist of introductory proceedings and committee announcements. Historically, there has been a two-week break after the opening week for legislators to move offices and complete other administrative tasks. However, this year’s timeline calls for a one-week break.
Governor Lee | The Administration
The Governor’s State of the State, which sets the tone for the legislative session, is projected for either January 30 or February 6. At the State of the State, Governor Lee will reveal the initial proposed budget and legislative priorities.
TN General Assembly (132 State Legislators)
The 132 state legislators will be filing new bills this year until the anticipate bill deadline of February 6. Approximately, 2,000 pieces of legislation are typically filed every year.
There are a great deal of newly elected legislators this year. Three new senators (our of 33) and 21 new representatives (out of 99). Each new legislator has a fresh perspective. It’s important each legislator is educated on matters related to the built environment and important to AIA.
- View the TN Chamber of Commerce’s New Member Packet that includes a bio and photo for each new legislator.
Highlights of Budget Funding Requests from State Departments
This past November, the Governor’s Cabinet members Governor presented priorities for their respective department, including program cuts and requests for increased funding.
Requests for capital improvement and maintenance as well as increased funding for the Historic Development Grant program (implemented in 2021) were included in the funding requests. Below are highlights that include links to each presentation.
All budget hearings are archived here for you to view.
Department of General Services
- Requesting $5M for vehicle and equipment replacements as inflation and economic
- forces increase cost and scarcity of vehicles
- Requesting $1.285 billion for 74 capital improvement projects across the state
- Requesting $364 million for 67 capital maintenance projects across the state
- Requesting $1 million for a vehicle management modernization system
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
- Commission has approved a tuition increase range from 0-3%
- Requesting $556 million in capital improvement projects across the state for 11 projects
- Expanding Advise TN program to encourage college-going
- Expanding Navigate Reconnect to help adults return to college
- Expanding HBCU Success Summer Bridge Program to ensure student readiness for college
- Expanding TN Promise Summer Bridge Program to ensure student readiness for college
- Statewide facilities survey to evaluate capital maintenance and improvement projects statewide on one scale
Department of Economic and Community Development
- Requesting $103 million for Fast Track Fund for recruiting businesses to Tennessee
- Requesting $10 million in recurring funding to support Historical Development Grants
- Requesting $6 million for the Tennessee Entertainment Commission
- Requesting $45 million for community and rural development
- Requesting $7.625 million in small business and entrepreneur programs
Earlier this month, Governor Lee and Commissioner Eley unveiled the “Build With Us” initiative aimed at easing congestion and raising revenue for road projects.
- TACIR reviewed congestion and infrastructure; concluded $34B is needed to address concerns
- Utilizing this data, TDOT has outlined $26B towards congestion-related projects
- On average, it takes 15 years for a project to take shape – the goal is to reduce this timeline down to five years; proposed planning would be contracted out
- Estimated 25% vacancy rate in staffing
- Hiring and retention is low
- Employees are underpaid for the daily risk and type of work performed
- FY22 spend was $360M in repair
- In FY23, TDOT will spend $460M
As legislation is filed and reviewed, the AIA TN Government Relations committee meets on a weekly basis to determine how bills impact our members. We will keep you updated, so you can advocate for your profession. Save the Date for AIA’s Day on the Hill – Tuesday, March 7 – to meet with your state legislator, discuss topics related to the profession and built environment and strengthen relationships!