[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6418713,"mediaKeyId","2219741-32d996ba30d1e7c424b26f931b7a7109","parentId",2219741,"title","House Transportation Committee sets outreach and filing rules; introduces staff and resources","audioSeconds",1222,"startMs",1144000,"endMs",2366000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219741-32d996ba30d1e7c424b26f931b7a7109&start=1144&end=2366","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219741-32d996ba30d1e7c424b26f931b7a7109/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6418713/Tennessee/House-Transportation-Committee-sets-outreach-and-filing-rules-introduces-staff-and-resources","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6418713-599debc4cb8ad8afbb03f89e360ed6ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607365&Signature=euRGp6Hea7P1KyoPtF~ZniD0~bje-GLFQsXUUelHulPbEMxPhY6c8yXc~HZrkWv23oH47Njvli4Omnc9ZIpeGAjlR1~jPEjtQ5LKR4azuohCLp6n-U4WGPCadLrNC4vI2XO0xs~jsnZzDolKimTapICWTI0akZ0wnxOjaTbzHFD-fJ8Y3zZHi431NiuJkHDLZzds2zRFvln4n9sea-zMvBfintQuDDu1MZrccS0~C4u1GG4zxBgS1tisNIvU5gWsuJ92SHHUL4xnUCj9RJqzlD70MWwAM6uG-eELqjhDRUcwHnrN-Rv6njwJDDgoOuJpmbYa1tRq6W7EpaNDgEFmNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","At the Feb. 4 organizational meeting, the House Transportation Committee reviewed committee procedures, staffing and resources and reminded members and witnesses of filing and testimony rules.

The chair (name not specified in the transcript) asked members to sign in so the clerk could take roll and the microphone system could be managed. The clerk confirmed a quorum was present.

Committee clerical and support staff were introduced: Sarah Hutton (assistant, will control microphones), transportation attorney Joel Hayes, research analyst Jeremy Maxwell, clerks Emily Hawkins and Jenna Ream, Sergeant‑at‑Arms Wayne Hawkins, and committee intern Lauren Cabrera. The chair also introduced external resources who work with counties and highway superintendents, including Brett Howland, executive director of the Tennessee County Highway Officials.

The chair explained filing rules and deadlines: bills must be put on notice through the House portal by 3:30 p.m. on the Wednesday before the next scheduled meeting (paper notices will not be accepted). Amendment deadlines differ by committee day: for committees that meet Monday, the deadline is close of business Friday; for committees that meet Tuesday (this committee), the amendment deadline is 10 a.m. the day before the meeting. Verbal amendments and amendments filed after the deadline will not be considered; amendments must be submitted by email from a member’s account or their assistant. Witness cards must be submitted at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting through the legislative website or in person; submitting a witness card does not guarantee time to testify because of time constraints.

The chair reminded members that the committee meets for one hour, 10:30–11:30 a.m., followed by subcommittee. Staff will not distribute paper materials; members should provide materials electronically or have an assistant print materials on request.

Ending note: The chair invited new members to ask questions and said staff and outside experts (e.g., county highway officials) are available to assist.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation Committee\tFeb 4, 2025\t","oneSentenceSummary","Committee leadership reviewed sign‑in and quorum procedures, witness card rules, amendment and filing deadlines, and introduced committee staff and outside resources to new members.","taxTitle","Transportation, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",35450,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6418722,"Rep. Bain says he will file 'Pot for Potholes' bill to direct marijuana revenue to highways",22,2209000,2231000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219741-32d996ba30d1e7c424b26f931b7a7109&start=2209&end=2231","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219741-32d996ba30d1e7c424b26f931b7a7109/thumbnail_2209000.jpg","/articles/6418722/Tennessee/Rep-Bain-says-he-will-file-Pot-for-Potholes-bill-to-direct-marijuana-revenue-to-highways","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6418722-063b2e23c8739401cc1c7a0cf8717f9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607365&Signature=H39tT7O8TPF3iCAhVQ8GLVwg~CED4LSfEJLilEe1tkkBWUs~4PWLICvsslTadNz5RzoE4agn-fDNiQeqixWkeyAHiI9Eo9LZZdFxn7hasNoO1LHIPO6trTbJG~gVOZLmzs1xBcrVw-xhKXKi08bvWJXGGvvqVAnGrcCVgGEIUHhFjcCcUoqo~loMrYzS1V3BsDmwPxc2ejNoITdKuKmoWDSDhBLKLul3lp8JHXMfLjCkUKq94KUQYH9L-rELCHVPfXOjOuaTAHcgGoY7-LNgJneSZINCNRpsifJ0Dx3eCgrc7mXm2DvioyjhIbl0tK~JsXWKgzkUwKO4FdfYABO3Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Bain told the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 4 that he intends to introduce a bill he described as the “Pot for Potholes Act.”

Bain said the proposal would legalize marijuana statewide and dedicate 80% of the resulting revenue to the general highway fund. He framed the measure as an additional revenue stream to support roads and bridges while the committee explores other funding options.

Why it matters: Committee leaders have emphasized the need for recurring revenue for TDOT. Bain’s announcement signals at least one avenue a member plans to pursue this session, but the committee did not consider or vote on the proposal during the organizational meeting.

The chair and other members did not take a position on Bain’s announced plan in the meeting. Representative Bain’s remarks were brief and described only as an intention to present the bill in the future; no bill text, timeline or committee referral was provided during the session.","During the organizational meeting Representative Bain told the Transportation Committee he plans to present legislation to legalize marijuana and direct most revenue to the highway fund.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6418749,"Tennessee transportation leaders say new recurring revenue needed to sustain TDOT",139,1885000,2024000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219741-32d996ba30d1e7c424b26f931b7a7109&start=1885&end=2024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219741-32d996ba30d1e7c424b26f931b7a7109/thumbnail_1885000.jpg","/articles/6418749/Tennessee/Tennessee-transportation-leaders-say-new-recurring-revenue-needed-to-sustain-TDOT","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6418749-3d35d3d203960ac4c5ae523620d587f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607365&Signature=R4msZ0Rsr2ftGz36nOZ-g6kf2KyKjsxy-kBqyq1rkTck3JsDpNIBfBiPoi4qfCoifO6ioNLP4uRtBaagUJp5UGmTvm5SK6siCF6b3N-62IJm~9cC~nfj8~YVI~YmnJAiCoapNR9jrn0H-YDR9TSxio2GLK2okOprdvy0wAmnwXlJZZfdP-NJHMSiYT1j5bxmENAx1k5ddlSWXhHMrEjwuXncb6Jj4S0CGvUi7o8620317tzTnQ4LdrZA6U10VrvGZCON1r8FY3yxJ5O~EYg~7naCHPQzDQT7oC1C5KzZvSl2gbyteqSziAzOiuIRRH5I96WUyNqVQOSrkkf~Cv5BZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The chair of the House Transportation Committee opened the Feb. 4 meeting by telling members the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will need new recurring revenue within a decade to avoid falling into a posture of maintenance‑only spending.

The chair (name not specified in the transcript), speaking during the committee’s organizational remarks, said the state’s gasoline tax has not kept pace with inflation since its origin in the 1920s and described that gap as a core reason the state must identify other revenue sources. “We have to find — I’m not talking about raising taxes — I’m talking about finding an additional revenue stream,” the chair said.

Why it matters: TDOT oversees roads, bridges and other transport infrastructure across Tennessee. Committee members said existing funding and one‑time infusions will not sustain long‑term construction and replacement needs, particularly given recent storm damage in parts of the state.

Representative Ronnie Glenn asked the chair what his goals for the committee would be this year. The chair replied that finding additional revenue streams for TDOT was his top priority, adding that without new revenue TDOT could be limited to maintaining current assets in the next five to 10 years. David Hawk, identified in the meeting as the transportation subcommittee chair and a long‑serving member, agreed on the need for more “consistent revenue” and said the committee has discussed shifting recurring general‑fund dollars into transportation.

Members cited previous legislation and current one‑time infusions as partial solutions. The chair and other members referenced a recent “modernization act” that directed some general‑fund dollars to transportation and also mentioned the state’s IMPROVE Act as prior major investments in roads and bridges. Representative Townes said the IMPROVE Act may provide some future funds but warned the committee should plan for the moment when those dollars have been spent.

Committee members emphasized that transportation funding supports more than highways: they noted rail, airports and other modes as parts of the broader portfolio needing stable funding. The chair pointed to recent flood damage in northeast Tennessee, saying TDOT has been replacing bridges and an interstate there with investments made possible in part by legislative funding over the last two years.

Ending note: Committee leaders said discussions over revenue options will continue in subcommittee, and members should expect robust debate before any specific revenue proposal is filed.","Members of the Tennessee House Transportation Committee opened the session by flagging the state Department of Transportation’s long‑term funding shortfall and discussing possible new, recurring revenue streams to sustain roads, bridges and broader transportation needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Transportation Committee sets outreach and filing rules; introduces staff and resources

Rep. Bain says he will file 'Pot for Potholes' bill to direct marijuana revenue to highways

Tennessee transportation leaders say new recurring revenue needed to sustain TDOT