House Private Acts Committee advances six private acts, including Germantown mayor proposal and Fayette County wheel tax

The House Private Acts Committee on an undisclosed date advanced six private acts to the next stage of review, voting unanimously or nearly unanimously on each item.

The most consequential measure sent forward was House Bill 1416, a private act sponsored by Chairman White that would give voters in the city of Germantown the choice to convert the mayor’s role to a full‑time position. "If it passes out from us, then in May or August of 2026, it would go before the voters of the city of Germantown," Chairman White said. The committee recorded nine ayes and zero noes on the measure and moved HB1416 to state and local government review.

The committee also approved House Bill 1406, sponsored by Representative Gantt, which would add $1 to the county wheel tax with the revenue earmarked for a new hospital in Fayette County. Representative Gantt said the county would own the building and the dollar would be appropriated "for a new hospital that's going in there in Fayette County." The committee voted eight ayes and one present not voting (recorded in the minutes as "present not voting"), sending the bill to state and local government.

Other bills the committee advanced with minimal debate included:

- House Bill 1410, sponsored by Speaker Zachary, would allow the Knox County Commission, by a two‑thirds vote, to dissolve the Technology Corridor Development Authority; committee vote: nine ayes, zero noes. Speaker Zachary said the authority's functions are now duplicative of work handled by the Knox County Planning Commission.

- House Bill 1415, sponsored by Chairman Haston at the request of Chester County, would add motorcycles, side‑by‑sides and 1‑ton and heavier trucks to that county’s motor‑vehicle wheel tax; committee vote: nine ayes, zero noes. Chairman Haston said the county’s wheel tax rate would remain $65.35 but the bill removes a prior exemption for those vehicle categories.

- House Bill 1412, sponsored by Chairman Darby (repeal of an obsolete private act), would repeal an outdated private act concerning the acquisition and operation of a nursing home for Henry County; committee vote: nine ayes, zero noes.

- House Bill 1414, also sponsored by Chairman Darby, would change Henry County Hospital District governance by allowing the county commission to appoint between three and seven trustees and reduce the trustees’ regular meeting frequency from monthly to quarterly; committee vote: ten ayes, zero noes.

Legal staff provided two brief clarifications during the meeting. Mark Dobie of the Office of Legal Services said the salary for a full‑time Germantown mayor "is gonna be set by lawful ordinance by the board of mayor and aldermen," clarifying that pay would be established locally if the private act and subsequent voter approval proceed. For HB1406, Dobie and committee members noted the committee prefers a local resolution showing two‑thirds approval at the local level; Representative Gantt said he would obtain signatures on the local resolution before the bill moves further.

Votes at a glance

- HB1416 (Chairman White): Convert Germantown mayor to full‑time; recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes; outcome: advanced to state and local government. Note: legal staff said mayoral salary "is gonna be set by lawful ordinance by the board of mayor and aldermen." (Provenance: transcript blocks starting at 157.825 and vote block at 307.37.)

- HB1410 (Speaker Zachary): Allow Knox County Commission by two‑thirds vote to dissolve Technology Corridor Development Authority; recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes; outcome: advanced to state and local government. (Provenance: transcript blocks starting at 339.595 and vote block at 397.925.)

- HB1406 (Representative Gantt): Add $1 to county wheel tax, proceeds earmarked for Fayette County hospital; recorded vote: 8 ayes, 1 present not voting; outcome: advanced to state and local government. Note: legal staff requested a local resolution showing two‑thirds approval; sponsor said he would obtain signatures. (Provenance: transcript blocks starting at 430.785 and vote block at 632.26.)

- HB1415 (Chairman Haston): Add motorcycles, side‑by‑sides and 1‑ton+ trucks to Chester County wheel tax (rate unchanged at $65.35); recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes; outcome: advanced to state and local government. (Provenance: transcript blocks starting at 658.32 and vote block at 729.72504.)

- HB1412 (Chairman Darby): Repeal obsolete private act about a Henry County nursing home; recorded vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes; outcome: advanced to state and local government. (Provenance: transcript blocks starting at 769.47003 and vote block at 797.66.)

- HB1414 (Chairman Darby): Change Henry County Hospital District trustee appointment rules and meeting frequency (3–7 trustees; monthly to quarterly); recorded vote: 10 ayes, 0 noes; outcome: advanced to state and local government. (Provenance: transcript blocks starting at 837.545 and vote block at 881.79.)

The committee took the actions with limited debate and no recorded roll‑call opposition besides the single "present not voting" on HB1406. Several sponsors confirmed resolutions or letters from local governments were on file for particular bills; legal staff asked for local signatures or formal resolutions where they were not yet received. The committee adjourned after completing its calendar.