[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6125872,"mediaKeyId","2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f","parentId",2674416,"title","Transportation subcommittee advances bill directing TDOT to adopt policy for removing camping personal property","audioSeconds",934,"startMs",1925000,"endMs",2859000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f&start=1925&end=2859","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f/thumbnail_1925000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125872/Tennessee/Transportation-subcommittee-advances-bill-directing-TDOT-to-adopt-policy-for-removing-camping-personal-property","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125872-8a0ce33f6457bc8f56582fd9f61f34dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083210&Signature=Py-ugNmS5s4RN6qwNHuFcGl1crfmwfuueJmP-gzxOJxZ1PyYJxTTKMiU1dvcle1~JypHY-iUxohSLDmR~0yz-hbQpkWMvxSDZSM2v3MzTcKu96Rp36aHpTsuWCk2NkBCNfyzT8P~CF--sJC6Wl0eT5ZzbpE2dcIwZ-EzwaA1kbLEuWjGF9KUbmsoZwokWiC8~lD7g3byzjKd63hl~YaZfYvLtn76BRdxS~h90tbtyIkcOwhdzLcf-OWUnWim1H53B9Dbn21qCRgJ7wOmFKP0TZrr2ojW0mdku3pTPkDbUAUeBXnxCz8EXwoyjyFaJjshyHIzp0voZ9qWce6sGQLgHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 197, sponsored by Representative Clay Leatherwood, advanced from the House Transportation Subcommittee to the full Transportation Committee on an 8–1 vote after the committee adopted an amendment.

The bill would require the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to develop and implement a policy for the removal of personal property used for camping on state and interstate highways, including shoulders, berms, rights of way, under bridges and in underpasses. \"The department shall develop and implement the policy pursuant to this section,\" Leatherwood said while describing the bill. \"That policy will include local homeless coalitions, nonprofit organizations, entities that provide transitional housing and related services.\"

Why it matters: proponents and service providers told the committee that many people living in makeshift camps on TDOT right of way lack access to sufficient shelter or housing options, and that removals carried out without coordination can destroy documents and other property essential for people to regain housing.

Two nonprofit witnesses who work in outreach urged the committee to add requirements they say would reduce harm. Lindsay Krinx, minister and co‑founder of Open Table Nashville and Housing for All Tennessee, asked the committee to require TDOT to contact homeless service providers within the first week after a camp closure is initiated, to give at least 30 days' notice before possessions are taken, to allow 60–90 days before clearing some sites (or negotiate site‑specific timelines), and to include a memorandum of understanding requiring collection, storage and retrieval procedures for seized personal property. \"We would love to see a deferral or summer study on this bill,\" Krinx said, but added, \"We know this bill is gonna pass through this committee, but we're asking for you to pull this for a week and add simple amendments that will lessen the harm of this bill in its current form.\"

Sarah Champion, co‑director of The Beat, an outreach organization in Madison, described how short removal timelines can interrupt job opportunities, housing paperwork and access to medical supplies. \"When you arrive at the spot that you thought might carry you through and off the streets, you're told that you have to vacate with just 10 days,\" Champion testified. She urged more time and mandatory outreach contact to prevent further destabilization.

Opponents raised concerns that the bill, as written, could still result in personal property being discarded despite the statutory directive to coordinate with service providers. Representative Matthew Bay (Madison) said he had toured an encampment in his district and believed the bill \"would totally destroy their world\" if it proceeds without stronger safeguards. Representative Bain said local coordination and law enforcement involvement are required by the bill but pressed the sponsor about on‑the‑ground practice.

Sponsor's response: Leatherwood said the bill \"never purports to attempt to solve all the homeless problem\" but seeks to move people from dangerous locations to less dangerous ones and to include local coalitions and nonprofits in policy development. \"We are trying to do in a small way is attempt to improve someone's lot in life,\" he said.

Action and next steps: The committee adopted amendment drafting code 004391 (sponsored language developed with TDOT) and voted to send the amended bill to full Transportation Committee, 8 ayes and 1 nay. The official committee action instructs TDOT to build the policy and consult specified local stakeholders; the bill's final legal effect will depend on later committee work and any further amendments.

Clarifying details from testimony: advocates recommended (1) contact with homeless service providers within the first week of TDOT‑initiated camp closure; (2) at least 30 days' notice before property disposal; (3) site‑specific timelines or 60–90 day notices to allow for housing paperwork and document replacement; (4) an MOU requiring collection, storage and retrieval for IDs, Social Security cards, medical supplies and other documents.

Community and implementation notes: witnesses and some legislators said Tennessee lacks shelter capacity statewide; outreach organizations testified that removals without coordination can result in lost documents and longer paths to permanent housing. Leatherwood said the policy language in the bill uses \"shall\" to require the inclusion of local homeless coalitions and service providers in the policy.

Votes at a glance for this item: motion to adopt amendment 004391 — adopted by voice; motion to send HB 197 to full Transportation Committee — 8 ayes, 1 nay; outcome: advanced to full committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation Subcommittee\tMar 18, 2025\t11:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 197, sponsored by Representative Clay Leatherwood, advanced to the full Transportation Committee after the subcommittee adopted amended language requiring TDOT to develop a policy for removing personal property used for camping on state highways.","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},6125857,"Transportation subcommittee: summary of committee actions and votes",5518,0,5518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f&start=0&end=5518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6125857/Tennessee/Transportation-subcommittee-summary-of-committee-actions-and-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125857-1cab24a4f96c5c60a727ac852b144bcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083210&Signature=jxZxjMrpCZQ0wwfaRNiswveGf6jRpGm0NLrJPRsmJ9uivZ5W1JTsEkht77i3UDhOi~UAyydZXZw-jf-uJBXv7Tk-jdhtOs09RUonDcbJPEWreagN~snAP1LsrAR86PCYqMdls7V7DjxNQcffhwdoTBRzV2-X8vikT4IWDWS2HNSMXaaaRJlh~i5E3~QqcXQ12K5vu~KWjSOLfERlBkrDCPBoigERehyfcDBNGzei-I6JaZxbbXY1UUVKlDSVAXR75L27i0RRVvW9X52TThFR53SKfr6vUKFe2LtrnqorXhxftQJ9Teo-LlFI5n4FtvmEdPvrJCbr6Uc2sL6SSRX-SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Transportation Subcommittee met in March 2025 and considered a final calendar of transportation measures. The committee took the following actions (motions and tallies are committee records). Items with extensive testimony are covered in separate articles.

Votes at a glance

- HB 593 (Chairman Doggett) — Motion to send to summer study adopted; committee announced \"the affirmative votes will send House Bill 593 to summer study\"; tally reported as 8 ayes, 1 nay (advanced to summer study).

- HB 1211 (Chairman Keesling) — Taken off notice by sponsor (no committee vote recorded).

- HB 615 (Representative Travis) — Motion to send to summer study adopted, vote recorded 9 ayes, 0 nos (advanced to summer study).

- HB 816 (Representative Travis; amended) — Amendment adopted (draft code 005205). Committee voted to send HB 816 to full Transportation Committee; tally 9 ayes, 0 nos (advanced to full committee).

- HB 1284 (Representative Hill) — Taken off notice at sponsor's request.

- HB 197 (Representative Leatherwood) — See separate article for full coverage; amended and sent to full Transportation Committee, vote 8 ayes, 1 nay.

- HB 749 (Representative Reeves) — Motion to send to full Transportation Committee adopted; vote recorded as 7 ayes, 1 no, 1 present not voting (advanced to full committee).

- HB 556 (Representative Capley) — Failed in subcommittee; final tally 3 ayes, 5 nos, 1 present not voting (bill failed).

- HB 558 (Representative Capley) — Taken off notice without objection.

- HB 559 (Representative Capley) — Motion to send to summer study adopted, vote 9 ayes, 0 nos (advanced to summer study).

- HB 537 (Representative Capley) — Motion to send to full Transportation Committee (electronic registration/e‑copies) adopted, vote 9 ayes, 0 nos (advanced to full committee).

- HB 924 (Representative Towns) — Motion to send to summer study adopted, vote recorded 8 ayes, 0 nos, 1 present not voting (advanced to summer study).

- HB 788 — Taken off notice without objection.

- HB 1021 (Chairman Russell) — Motion to move to the first calendar of 2026 adopted by voice vote; committee directed stakeholders to meet on appraisal and compensation issues (rolled to 2026 first calendar).

- HB 212 (Chairman Howell) — Annual omnibus bill for specialty license plates; schedule of 44 amendments adopted; motion to send to full Transportation Committee adopted, vote 8 ayes, 0 nos (advanced to full committee).

- HB 213 (Chairman Howe) — Annual omnibus bill for naming highways/bridges; schedule of 40 amendments adopted; motion to send to full Transportation Committee adopted, vote 8 ayes, 0 nos (advanced to full committee).

- Miscellaneous procedural items — Several bills were amended for drafting codes, and the committee adopted omnibus amendment schedules for recurring annual bills.

Context: The subcommittee chair thanked members and staff for completing a larger-than-expected calendar. Several bills were removed from the agenda at sponsors' requests and a handful were sent to summer study to permit further work before full committee consideration. Bills forwarded to full Transportation Committee will receive additional review.","The Tennessee House Transportation Subcommittee considered a final calendar of bills March 2025. Several measures were referred to full committee or summer study; others were taken off notice or failed. This roundup lists each item and the committee outcome.",{"_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},6125862,"Bill to clarify compensation for billboards rolled to 2026 calendar after industry and TDOT talks",500,4667000,5167000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f&start=4667&end=5167","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f/thumbnail_4667000.jpg","/articles/6125862/Tennessee/Bill-to-clarify-compensation-for-billboards-rolled-to-2026-calendar-after-industry-and-TDOT-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125862-60ed3ed95def1dfb602b97b6237c5f7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083210&Signature=okY~Cfq1oUSsdHgrrcDkgae0FkNRgerzQphNMkPTPbi31EAeFMajR2fz9wZlhL-mCOYxuVEpacj7IZEXFW71zQnFM7USZ8bSnLzssrhYDgaqtcTPAcOijXGDEDB6Z6XYca9If0deyI8tBXERX9QNd7hqMYafX9CDxi9~EqaEMYqWwzFrHqNvLUwhaegg1UsSqSn87~AMD35kxyCWEDyewMjxD3DLplXnrZjcS3WolWy4OHyzCVIaNvSbyEbZ~IkUekHO4ZTLrmLFff01D8T8QUpTnBAlPFCZSGdqrYP8dH-DzjbjeMydP9WIXRlhJQcO~gC3vaTHo13UE9zRQ5rQ7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1021, sponsored by Chairman Russell, was moved to the House Transportation Subcommittee's first calendar for 2026 after industry representatives and TDOT discussed valuation and compensation for billboards taken in right‑of‑way acquisitions.

Industry witnesses said past TDOT projects removed high‑value digital billboards and paid relocation or acquisition amounts that left firms with substantial unrecovered investments. Hugh Morrow, president and CEO of Ruby Falls and R and R Outdoor Advertising, said TDOT paid roughly $59,000 for a digital billboard in Chattanooga that he estimated cost $250,000–$300,000 to install, leaving the company with a loss near $200,000. \"Our options were to litigate it,\" Morrow said, \"but we decided not to seek any type of further compensation on that. It's frustrating because we not only do we lose a billboard that said 'see Ruby Falls' on it, it lowered the value of our billboard plant.\"

Holly Kirby of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Tennessee said her members identified nine billboards since 2021 that TDOT had paid relocation costs for, totaling $525,590. Kirby said litigation costs can make contesting TDOT offers infeasible and that only one of seven non‑relocated signs would likely have reached an appraisal value high enough to justify litigation. \"When you look at it across 3 years, 1 billboard, dollars 260,000 of extra cost that TDOT's not already spending today,\" she said.

Scott Hibbert, who testified with local outdoor firms, said removal and relocation costs add up once contractors and removal fees are considered. Legislators noted the state's need to fund transportation projects and TDOT's responsibility to appraise and pay fair market value for property taken for projects; some members urged deeper dialogues between TDOT and the industry on valuation methodology.

Action: Committee members agreed to roll HB 1021 to the first calendar of 2026 to allow more detailed negotiations and to avoid harming TDOT funding for other projects. A voice vote adopted the motion; the chair requested industry and agency meetings to seek a common approach to appraisal and compensation before next year's calendar.

Context and next steps: Sponsors and industry representatives encouraged a collaborative process to identify which signs have been affected, refine fiscal estimates, and determine whether statutory clarification is needed to ensure fair market compensation or relocation funds for impacted billboard owners and property owners who lease locations to billboard companies.","House Bill 1021, concerning compensation and valuation for billboards taken for highway projects, was rolled to the committee's first calendar of 2026 after testimony from outdoor‑advertising firms, Ruby Falls and industry groups asking for consistent fair‑market valuation and discussion with TDOT.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125867,"English‑only driver's license test fails in subcommittee after hours of testimony",1022,2977000,3999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f&start=2977&end=3999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674416-3ee9a12ac02e167333f4e93ca3c4286f/thumbnail_2977000.jpg","/articles/6125867/Tennessee/Englishonly-drivers-license-test-fails-in-subcommittee-after-hours-of-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125867-d0da1f3d48b8d4ff9c6eaa02539c7f4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083210&Signature=bJ9NI4bH8WFLwWw~wI~FHLOVtXFZT4HugxdSXsvnSl90Puq3JO~metBb3RDO8OYBptzGL5laK2q5v5E4Oij2dVDoYRegtJg6LLM1n-y64VmwgK74cw5NVgM4APUoErI1ckUVsGH4glIn8GVE3ZC9Xy44NAz0F5m4JEO1mx8Jf6ISdIc2CoK6sFPqwLll3G~yHGCCR2gAidEY0-3niTZkJ-c0aS8q9tajZzcLcRo~uNtfr~XgKgNBbfEE02zNheb7IiCrsAGk7JRpQ13S2DyN5auyUPdwaGfnWS3Kk8yx-DQwhgGNnvxQt4LGMLvcMf2d5JQL6UnByAeEkABiDVdRxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 556, sponsored by Representative Capley, failed in the House Transportation Subcommittee on a 3–5 vote with one member present not voting after stakeholders argued the measure would harm immigrant workers and the state economy.

The bill, as amended to meet Americans with Disabilities Act concerns, would have required Tennessee to administer the written portion of the state driving test in English only. Sponsor Representative Capley described the measure as \"very simple\" and said the amendment ensured compliance with the ADA. \"This bill is very simple. It says that the state of Tennessee will give out driver's license tests and they will be administered in English and English only,\" he said.

Multiple witnesses from immigrant and business advocacy groups testified in strong opposition. Diana Sanchez Vega, identifying herself as a naturalized citizen and a representative of the Our State Our Languages Coalition, asked lawmakers to consider economic and workforce effects and said restricting tests to English would harm workers with limited English who nevertheless have safe driving records. \"If our esteemed legislators can navigate foreign roads safely, why should hardworking residents be penalized by a test that is only offered in English?\" she asked.

William Mendoza, testifying as an individual, said the proposal would place an \"unfair obstacle\" before immigrants who help sustain agriculture, construction, hospitality and manufacturing and that translating tests improves road safety by ensuring comprehension. Luis Pedraza, a Shelbyville resident, warned of negative economic consequences if executives and workers cannot obtain licenses while temporarily in the state and said fewer licenses could reduce property purchases and tax revenue.

Several committee members raised economic concerns. Chairman Howell and others said the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Economic and Community Development oppose the bill; Chairman Howell said those groups believe it could have a \"very negative economic impact\". Representative Capley responded that the bill was not intended to target immigrants and that his focus was safety and that road signs and commands are in English.

Action and vote: After public testimony and committee discussion, the subcommittee voted. Clerk announced the result: 3 ayes, 5 nos, and 1 present not voting. The bill failed to move forward from the subcommittee.

Clarifying details from testimony: witnesses cited examples of workers for whom multilingual tests would shorten commutes and increase employment opportunities; business representatives said translating tests supports recruiting and retaining foreign executives and plant staff.","House Bill 556, which would have limited written driver's license tests to English only, failed in the House Transportation Subcommittee 3–5 with one present not voting after testimony from immigrant‑rights groups and business representatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Transportation subcommittee advances bill directing TDOT to adopt policy for removing camping personal property

Transportation subcommittee: summary of committee actions and votes

Bill to clarify compensation for billboards rolled to 2026 calendar after industry and TDOT talks

English‑only driver's license test fails in subcommittee after hours of testimony