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SB 954

Traffic Safety - As enacted, authorizes counties to delegate authority to the chief administrative officer of the county highway department to set lower speed limits on county roads if the department employs an engineer who is capable of completing required engineering and traffic investigations. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 8.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Allows counties to delegate lower county road speed-limit decisions to the CAO if an engineer conducts MUTCD-based investigations.

Pub. Ch. 123
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Bill Summary · SB 954

Summary of SB 954 (Session 114) — Tennessee

Quick take

SB 954 amends Tennessee’s speed-limit law to allow county legislative bodies (CLBs) to delegate their authority to set lower speed limits on county-maintained roads to the county highway department’s chief administrative officer (CAO) if the department employs an engineer capable of completing required engineering and traffic investigations. The CAO would perform these investigations in line with established traffic engineering practices and MUTCD guidelines. The change clarifies procedural authority while maintaining existing statewide standards.

Purpose and intent

  • Streamline the process for establishing lower speed limits on county roads by allowing delegation of authority from the county legislative body to the CAO of the county highway department.
  • Ensure that any delegated decisions are based on professional engineering and traffic investigations conducted in accordance with recognized standards (MUTCD and state supplemental guidelines).

Key provisions and changes

  1. Section amended: Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 8, specifically § 55-8-153(d) (the subsection currently governing county speed limits).
  2. Delegation of authority:
    • A county legislative body may delegate its authority to lower speed limits on county roads to the CAO of the county highway department.
    • Delegation is permissible only if the highway department employs an engineer capable of completing engineering and traffic investigations and ensures those investigations are completed.
    • The CAO’s role is defined consistently with the CAO as defined in § 54-7-103.
  3. Standards for investigations:
    • Engineering and traffic investigations must follow established traffic engineering practices and conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines, plus any state supplemental guidelines.
    • Investigations must be documented, with documentation maintained by the jurisdiction conducting the investigation.
  4. Government form flexibility:
    • The delegation authority remains available to counties with commission forms of government; the board of commissioners retains the power in those counties as prescribed in the bill.
  5. Effective date:
    • Effective upon becoming law (immediate effect once signed).

Who is affected

  • Counties (both traditional and metropolitan counties) that maintain county roads.
  • County legislative bodies (CLBs) that may choose to delegate speed-limit authority.
  • County highway departments, specifically the CAO, provided the department employs a qualified engineer.
  • The public, through potentially adjusted speed limits on county-maintained roads.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Delegation requires a resolution by the county legislative body.
  • Any speed-limit changes under delegation must be based on documented engineering/traffic investigations and signs/traffic-control devices must be erected as needed.
  • The act clarifies that the delegation is optional; counties may continue to have CLBs retain direct authority to set speed limits if they choose not to delegate.
  • The bill takes effect upon becoming law.

Fiscal impact

  • Described as not significant.
  • Any cost implications are expected to arise mainly from potential signage and traffic-control devices or from existing staff performing investigations; otherwise, the delegation is anticipated to operate within current resources.

Context and status

  • The bill is sponsored in the House and Senate and was enacted in 2025 (noted as Public Chapter 123).
  • The legislative history shows approval through committee and both chambers, with signing and effective dates in early 2025.

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

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