Election Laws - As enacted, requires a three-judge panel to hear any civil action in which it is alleged that a proposed charter amendment ordinance that is to be submitted to qualified voters at an election is in violat, the official text

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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 249

SENATE BILL NO. 525

By Rose, Bowling

Substituted for: House Bill No. 913

                                            By Vaughan, Todd, Bricken, Howell

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 20, Chapter
          18, relative to ballot measures.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 20-18-101, is amended by deleting
subsection (a) and substituting instead:

                    (a)(1) A civil action in which the complaint meets each of the following criteria must be
                    heard and determined by a three-judge panel pursuant to this chapter:

                                        (A) Challenges the constitutionality of:

                                                   (i) A state statute, including a statute that apportions or redi_stricts
                                         state legislative or congressional districts;

                                                   (ii) An executive order; or

                                                   (iii) An administrative rule or regulation;

                                         (B) Includes a claim for declaratory judgment or injunctive relief; and

                                         (C) Is brought against the state, a state department or agency, or a state
                              official acting in their official capacity.

                              (2) A civil action in which it is alleged that a proposed charter amendment
                    ordinance that is to be submitted to qualified voters at an election is in violation of the
                    Constitution or state law must be heard and determined by a three-judge panel
                    pursuant to this chapter.

          SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 6-53-105, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:

                    (d) An amendment to the charter of a home rule municipality shall not be placed on any
          ballot if the amendment is in violation of the Constitution or state law.

          SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 525

PASSED:  April 10, 2025

                                           RANDY M(JJALLY
                              SPEAKER OF THE ~ENATE

                         CAMERON SEXTON, SPEAKER
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

a.ua. !\pri APPROVED this  I
         day of               2025

                     _,

         BILL LEE, GOVERNOR