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HJR 1519

Memorials, Retirement - Doug Gunnels -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Lowell Russell

A ceremonial resolution recognizing Doug Gunnels for his long public service in both the Tennessee House and TDOT, honoring his retirement and contributions as a liaison between TD

Signed by Governor.
#memorials #retirement
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Bill Summary · HJR 1519

Summary: House Joint Resolution 1519 (HJR 1519) – Tennessee, 114th General Assembly

Purpose

  • Recognizes and honors Doug Gunnels of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) on the occasion of his retirement.
  • Acknowledges his fourteen-year career with TDOT and his prior service in the Tennessee House of Representatives (1989-2001), including roles such as Minority Floor Leader during the 100th General Assembly.
  • Expresses appreciation for his service to the state and wishes him well in future endeavors.

Key Provisions

  • Official acknowledgment by the Tennessee House of Representatives, with concurrence by the Senate, commemorating Doug Gunnels’s retirement.
  • Statements of respect for his long-standing public service in two branches of state government (the legislative branch and the executive branch through TDOT).
  • The resolution notes his role as a liaison between TDOT and the General Assembly and his contributions to legislators and TDOT staff.
  • Publication/printing of the resolution as a formal record; the final clause indicates the copy should be prepared without the House/Senate designation on the seal copy when requested.

Who Is Affected

  • Doug Gunnels: Primary honoree and recipient of formal recognition.
  • TDOT and the General Assembly: Indirect beneficiaries through formal acknowledgment of a longtime public servant who served as a liaison between TDOT and the legislature.
  • Tennessee state government: Public record reflects appreciation for his dual-service career.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill is a concurrent resolution (HJR) that does not propose new law or fiscal changes.
  • Action history indicates:
    • Introduction and filing: April 20, 2026.
    • Placement on the House consent calendar for April 21, 2026 (implies expedited passage without a roll-call vote, typical for ceremonial resolutions).
  • No fiscal impact is described; the measure is ceremonial and symbolic.

Additional Context

  • The sponsor is Representative Lowell Russell, with a co-sponsor noted.
  • The resolution emphasizes Doug Gunnels’s long-standing commitment to public service, including leadership within the state House of Representatives and his later service to TDOT and the General Assembly as a liaison.
  • The text highlights personal details (his wife Vicki, and children Brett and the late Cory Gunnels) to humanize the tribute.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a one-page briefing for a policymaker, or extract direct quotes from the resolution for citation.

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

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