In a special legislative session convened this week by Governor Bill Lee (R), lawmakers are considering HB 6006 to create a Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority for maintenance and improvement project contracting and bonding “without limitation as to the amount,” WBIR reports. The authority would be chaired by the governor, with the state comptroller serving as both vice chair and secretary. The bill is one of several on a variety of subjects under consideration during the session.
Meanwhile, Tennessee Senator Mark Pody (R-17), who sponsored SB 24 to direct vehicle and tire sales taxes to TDOT, said the measure would boost the department’s coffers by $1 billion annually, according to “Land Line” Magazine. Similar legislation reportedly failed last year, although that was before TDOT said it needs more than $300 million to shore up its 2025-26 budget.
TRN notes that another pending measure, SB 105, would extend the expiration date of the Transportation Modernization Board, charged with overseeing development of the state’s “Choice Lanes,” from 2025 to 2029.