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Committee gives negative recommendation to bill to rename Nashville airport 'Trump International Airport'
Summary
House Bill 217, which would rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) as Trump International Airport, failed to receive a favorable committee recommendation, moving to Transportation with a 4-6 vote against. Debate focused on local vs. statewide authority, potential costs and public reaction.
Representative Warner introduced House Bill 217 on March 10, proposing to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) as “Trump International Airport” and directing the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to update signage, trademarks and contracts to reflect the change.
Warner said the authority would be required to petition the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to amend trademarks or surrender them and, where contracts reference the airport name, revise language “upon renewal, termination or cancellation” so future contracts reflect the Trump name. Warner also said the authority could use “doing business as Trump International Airport” during a transition period.
Committee members questioned the bill’s scope and costs. Representative Dixie called the measure “a waste of time and money” and said it would “erase the voices” of constituents in the district that includes the airport. Dixie also said, “This airport is in my district…over 70% of my constituents voted against Donald Trump,” and argued against renaming while federal aviation staffing and safety concerns were raised.
Representative Warner said Tennessee taxpayers statewide fund the Nashville Airport Authority and noted the state gave the authority $23 million last year and the governor had proposed $34 million for the next budget year. Warner told the committee he had not consulted the Federal Aviation Administration and acknowledged a $10 million “physical note” provided by the Nashville Airport Authority estimating costs for physical changes, which he described as “slightly inflated.”
Other members said they were skeptical that BNA is an appropriate venue for a presidential namesake; Speaker Marsh said larger national hubs were more appropriate. Vice Chair Fritz called the bill “a conversation” and urged the airport authority to emphasize the historic figure for whom the field is currently named.
After discussion and the addition of an untimely amendment (amendment 0004450), the committee voted. The clerk announced four ayes and six noes. The committee forwarded HB 217 to the Transportation Committee with a negative recommendation.
The transcript records no FAA guidance on the name change, no completed fiscal note in committee beyond the $10 million estimate cited by the Nashville Airport Authority, and no legal analysis of trademark or contract consequences included in the committee record. Representative Warner said he had reached out to a member of Congress about a related federal bill to rename Dulles but reported it appeared unlikely to move in Washington.
With the negative committee recommendation, HB 217 will continue through the legislative process in the Transportation Committee.
