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SB 2698

Stanton - Subject to local approval, revises the general powers of the town; revises provisions related to the town judge. - Amends Chapter 142 of the Private Acts of 1990.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Page Walley

Expands Stanton’s powers to tax, debt, utilities, infrastructure, and regulate local affairs, while reforming the town court/judge framework for local control.

Passed on Second Consideration, held on desk. Local Bill
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Bill Summary · SB 2698

Summary of SB 2698 (Session 114) – Town of Stanton

Proposed Act: An amendment to Chapter 142 of the Private Acts of 1990 (and related amendments) to revise the general powers of the Town of Stanton and update the town court/judge framework. Local bill requiring local approval by Stanton.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Modernize and clarify the Town of Stanton’s general municipal powers.
  • Reorganize and specify authority related to budgeting, debt, utilities, infrastructure, regulatory powers, and public services.
  • Reform the appointment, qualifications, compensation, and jurisdiction of the town judge and town court, aligning with state law provisions on municipal courts.
  • Require local approval by Stanton’s legislative body (two-thirds vote) to activate the bill.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Expanded General Powers (Section 5, revised)

The bill consolidates and enumerates Stanton’s municipal powers, largely mirroring standard municipal authority but with explicit language. Notable included authorities:

  • Taxation: Levy, classify, and collect taxes for general and special municipal purposes; adopt classifications not contrary to law.
  • Local improvements: Special assessments for local improvements.
  • Debt and finance: Incur debts; issue and dispose of bonds, warrants, notes, and other instruments; rely on various credit sources (including property or utility-derived credit when applicable).
  • Public works and utilities: Acquire, construct, operate, regulate public utilities; grant or contract for public utility services; regulate and ensure extensions; set rates and terms within state/federal law.
  • Franchises and contracts: Grant exclusive or non-exclusive franchises for public utilities; enter into exclusive contracts for up to 25 years (subject to state law constraints); regulate terms (rates/charges) in contracts and franchises.
  • Infrastructure and public facilities: Build and maintain streets, highways, parks, sewers, drainage, public buildings, marketplaces, libraries, and related public facilities; assess costs to abutting property as allowed by general law.
  • Health, safety, and welfare: Police powers to regulate nuisances, health, safety, and welfare; licensing and regulation of businesses and professions; ordinance enforcement with penalties and fines.
  • Elections and governance: Call elections as provided by law; exercise all powers reasonably necessary beyond expressly enumerated powers.
  • Design review (new sub-section 33): Create a design review commission, under planning commission oversight, to develop guidelines for exterior appearances of nonresidential and certain residential developments; appeals go to the planning commission or municipal legislative body if no planning commission exists.

B. Town Judge and Town Court (Section 18, revised)

  • Appointment: A town judge may be appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
  • Status and duties: The judge may continue other legal work; salary is fixed by the board; court costs and fees collected go to the town treasury.
  • Eligibility: Resident of Tennessee, at least 30 years old, licensed attorney in good standing.
  • Jurisdiction and powers: Town court operates under the Municipal Court Reform Act of 2004; judge presides over municipal court, imposes fines/forfeitures, enforces court order and collection of fines and costs; can impose monetary penalties up to the level allowed by state law, in addition to court costs.
  • Independence: The town judge is the exclusive arbiter of law and facts in court; other town officials cannot influence decisions except through proper court proceedings.
  • Interim appointment: If the judge is unavailable, the mayor may designate a qualified person; the county’s general sessions judge may serve as acting city judge if mutually agreed.
  • Court operations: Court costs set by ordinance; appeals follow state law; towns may contract with another court to provide services instead of appointing a town judge.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • The Town of Stanton's governing body (Board of Mayor and Aldermen) and its authority to tax, issue debt, regulate utilities, and manage local affairs.
  • Town residents and property owners via potential changes in taxes, assessments, and regulatory actions.
  • Municipal court operations and local legal professionals via the town court/judge framework, appointment processes, and jurisdiction.
  • Local developers and businesses subject to design guidelines (new design review commission authority).

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Local approval required: The act “shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the legislative body of the Town of Stanton.” If approved, it becomes law as provided, effective per Section 4.
  • Action chronology: The bill has been introduced and advanced through initial readings, with recent action indicating second consideration and desk action as a Local Bill (history shows activity in February 2026).

5) Practical Implications

  • The bill broadens and clarifies Stanton’s capacity to manage fiscal, infrastructure, and regulatory matters, aligning with typical municipal powers while adding a formal design review mechanism for exterior appearance guidelines.
  • The town court framework aims to streamline municipal judicial processes, ensure local control of court costs, and provide clear standards for appointments and operations of the town judge.

If you’d like, I can provide a section-by-section comparison with the current charter or highlight potential fiscal impacts based on estimated cost implications.

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

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