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

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.