Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Tennessee historical commission to June 30, 2029. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 11, Part 1 and Title 4, Chapter 29.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Ed Jackson

The bill extends the Tennessee Historical Commission’s existence from 2025 to 2029, keeping it funded and operating beyond sunset.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 54

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Purpose and intent

SB 95 extends the termination date of the Tennessee Historical Commission. Under current law, the commission is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 2025. This bill extends the commission’s existence until June 30, 2029.

The extension is accomplished by amending the Tennessee Code to include the historical commission within the scope of the Tennessee Governmental Entity Review Law so it remains an ongoing entity beyond the current sunset date.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1: Removes a previously referenced subdivision from the termination provisions in Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-29-246(a). (Specifically, it deletes subdivision (49).)

Section 2: Adds a new subdivision to Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-29-250(a) recognizing the Tennessee Historical Commission as a continuing governmental entity created by § 4-11-102.

Section 3: Provides that the act takes effect upon becoming law, with public welfare requiring it (i.e., it takes effect immediately upon enactment).

Overall effect: The Tennessee Historical Commission remains in existence and continues operating beyond the 2025 sunset date, through 2029, under existing funding levels.

Who is affected

The Tennessee Historical Commission (the state agency dedicated to historic preservation and related activities) will continue to exist and operate beyond June 30, 2025.

Agencies and programs that interact with or rely on the commission (e.g., preservation grants, state historic sites, historic surveys, and potentially applicants for state historic preservation funds) may experience continuity in governance, programming, and funding planning due to the extended sunset.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Sunset extension: The bill extends the commission’s termination date from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2029.

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment (retroactive to the date of passage in effect, per language “takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it”).

Fiscal note: The bill is characterized as having a “not significant” fiscal impact. Assumptions indicate the extension maintains the current funding level; reported expenditures for the commission were $26,071 in FY2022-23 and $18,216 in FY2023-24, suggesting modest ongoing operations.

Additional context

Companion status: SB 95 is paired with House Bill 273 (the companion measure) and has a sponsor pair: Senator Ed Jackson (co-sponsor) and House sponsor Representative Lafferty.

Legislative history indicates standard process: committee consideration, passage in both chambers, and final enactment as a public act (SB 95 became Public Chapter 54 on March 31, 2025).

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of current law vs. SB 95 language or a brief Q&A highlighting practical implications for preservation grants and historic sites.

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