State Government

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on whether this change will impact the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations' work with the fund, making it an open question.

Changes to Reporting Period for Nonprofit Partners of Governor's Books from Birth Fund

This bill changes the reporting period for nonprofit organizations that work with the Governor's Books from Birth Fund in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

• Modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, by extending the time a nonprofit organization has to report its activities and achievements to the governor and state representatives from 90 days to 180 days after the end of their fiscal year.

Who It Names or Affects

• Nonprofit organizations that partner with the Governor's Books from Birth Fund in Tennessee.
• The governor and speakers of the senate and house of representatives who receive these reports.

Terms To Know

Governor's Books from Birth Fund

A program or fund managed by the governor to provide books to children.

Nonprofit public benefit corporation

An organization that operates for a charitable purpose and does not distribute its profits to owners or shareholders.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill only changes the reporting period and does not affect how the funds are used.
• It is unclear if this change will impact the effectiveness of the nonprofit organizations' work with the fund.

Official Summary Text

ON FEBRUARY 19, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 599, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, terminate the James K. Polk Memorial Association and require the Tennessee historical commission ("commission") to enter into good faith negotiations for the purchase and transfer of the James K. Polk Home in C
olumbia. Present law conveyed the James K. Polk home to the James K. Polk Memorial Association in trust for the restoration and preservation of the property. This amendment authorizes the commission to expend funds appropriated or available to it for th
e
repair, renovation, and restoration of the James K. Polk Home, and the improvement of the premises.

This amendment provides that the commission will hold legal title to the James K. Polk Home. However, the commission may assign actual custody and control of the property to a Tennessee nonprofit corporation organized for the express
purpose of restoring, maintaining, and operating the James K. Polk Home and its premises.
Such a nonprofit corporation may operate and manage the James K. Polk Home on behalf of the commission for the general public and to keep the James K. Polk Home and property in a high s
tate of improvement and repair in a manner consistent with guidelines promulgated by the commission.

Present law requires the James K. Polk Memorial Associate to make an annual report to the governor of its performance in restoring and maintaining the James K. Polk Home. This amendment requires the commission to make such an annual report to the govern
or and the speakers of the senate and house of representatives.

This amendment clarifies that it is not an appropriation of funds, and that funds must not be obligated or expended pursuant to it unless the funds are specifically appropriated by the general appropriations act.

This amendment requires the commission to notify the executive secretary of the Tennessee code commission in writing of the purchase and transfer of the James K. Polk Home.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 599
By Hensley

HOUSE BILL 519
By Cepicky
HB0519
002205
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4,
relative to state government.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-52-109, is amended by deleting the
language "ninety (90) days" and substituting "one hundred eighty (180) days".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.