State Government

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify any consequences for non-compliance by state officials.

No Corporate Land Giveaways Act

This bill requires state officials to notify lawmakers before transferring state-owned land or exclusive leasehold interests to private entities for projects.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the commissioner of general services and the chair of the state capitol commission to provide written notice at least 30 days before transferring ownership, an exclusive leasehold interest, or exclusive control of real property owned by the state to a private entity.
• The notice must be sent to the chairs of the joint government operations committee in both houses of the legislature and each member representing all or part of the county where the land is located.
• Prohibits the transfer unless the joint government operations committee approves it within 30 days after receiving the notice.
• If the committee does not act within 30 days, the transfer is automatically disapproved.

Who It Names or Affects

• The commissioner of general services and the chair of the state capitol commission
• Private entities interested in acquiring state property for private projects or development
• Members of the joint government operations committee in both houses of the legislature

Terms To Know

joint government operations committee

A group made up of members from both the Senate and House of Representatives that reviews state government activities.

exclusive leasehold interest

The right to use a piece of land exclusively for a certain period, without owning it.

Limits and Unknowns

• It is not clear how often this bill will be used or what specific projects might be affected.
• The bill does not specify the consequences if state officials do not follow these rules.

Official Summary Text

This bill requires the
commissioner of general services
("commissioner")
and the chair of the state capitol commission
("chair")
, as applicable,
to
provide written notice prior to the transfer of
(i)
ownership,
(ii)
an exclusive leasehold interest, or
(iii)
exclusive control
,
of real property owned by this state to a private entity, for a private project, or for private development without the state receiving consideration for such transfer.

This bill requires the
commissioner and chair
to
provide such written notice at least 30 days prior to the transaction to the chairs of the joint government operations committee of the senate and house of representatives and each member of the general assembly who represents all or a portion of a count
y in which the real property subject to the transaction is located, in whole or in part.

This bill prohibits the
commissioner and the chair, as applicable,
from
transfer
ring
such ownership or interest in real property unless the joint government operations committee of the senate and house of representatives approves such transfer no later than 30 days after receiving notice
as described above
. If the joint government operations committee takes no action within such period,
then
the transfer is deemed disapproved.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 2038
By Kyle

HOUSE BILL 1999
By Jones J
HB1999
011874
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3;
Title 4; Title 8 and Title 12, relative to public
property.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "No Corporate Land Giveaways
Act."
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 12, Chapter 2, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) The commissioner of general services and the chair of the state capitol
commission, as applicable, shall provide written notice in accordance with subsection (b)
prior to the transfer of ownership, an exclusive leasehold interest, or exclusive control of
real property owned by this state to a private entity, for a private project, or for private
development without the state receiving consideration for such transfer.
(b) The commissioner and chair shall provide such written notice at least thirty
(30) days prior to the transaction to the chairs of the joint government operations
committee of the senate and house of representatives and each member of the general
assembly who represents all or a portion of a county in which the real property subject to
the transaction is located, in whole or in part.
(c) The commissioner of general services and the chair of the state capitol
commission, as applicable, shall not transfer such ownership or interest in real property
unless the joint government operations committee of the senate and house of
representatives approves such transfer no later than thirty (30) days after receiving

- 2 - 011874

notice pursuant to subsection (b). If the joint government operations committee takes no
action within such period, the transfer is deemed disapproved.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.