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SB 1172

Historical Sites and Preservation - As introduced, enacts the "African American Cultural and Historical Grant Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9 and Title 13.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Raumesh Akbari

Tennessee creates grants for African American historical site preservation, requiring clarification on funding sources and eligibility standards during legislative review.

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 1172

Legislative bill overview

SB 1172 establishes the "African American Cultural and Historical Grant Act" in Tennessee, creating a funding mechanism to support the preservation and development of African American historical sites and cultural resources. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) covering state finances, general provisions, and local government operations to enable this grant program.

Why is this important

Historical preservation funding directly affects community identity, tourism revenue, and educational access to underrepresented narratives in American history. The bill addresses a documented gap in preservation resources for African American cultural sites, which have historically received disproportionately less funding than other historical properties, but implementation requires determining funding sources and eligibility criteria that could affect state budgets and local governments.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source and fiscal impact: The bill amends budget-related code sections but the specific funding mechanism—whether from existing allocations, new appropriations, or tax provisions—is unclear from available information and could face scrutiny in Finance Committee
  • Eligibility and selection criteria: Questions may arise about how sites are identified, who determines priority, and whether funding is distributed equitably across regions or focused on specific areas
  • State versus local responsibility: Amendments to Title 13 (likely local government) raise questions about whether the state is mandating local participation, cost-sharing arrangements, or creating unfunded obligations for municipalities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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