Finance, Ways and Means advances seven bills to calendar and rules

The Finance, Ways and Means Committee advanced seven bills to calendar and rules during its March 11, 2025, meeting, voting to move each measure after sponsors described the proposals.

The committee voted to move House Bill 65, which would add a discretionary power within Title 6 to allow city manager–commission governments to contract with private entities for development, construction or operation of indoor or outdoor athletic facilities. Chairman Balso, the bill’s sponsor, described the measure as adding “a discretionary power...to enter into a contract with a private entity for the development, construction, or operation of an indoor or outdoor athletic facility.” The clerk reported 18 ayes, 0 nos; the motion passed.

House Bill 823, amended on the floor with drafting code 004008, would allow two new professional sports stadiums — one in Knoxville and one planned later in Chattanooga — to sell wine and spirits (the bill would not alter beer licensing, which…