Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cultural Celebration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tennessee committee advances bill to make February Songwriters Month after debate over timing
Summary
The House Naming and Designating Committee advanced HB 1629 to designate February as Tennessee Songwriters Month, prompting members to debate whether February conflicts with Black History Month; the measure moved forward with a positive committee recommendation.
The House Naming and Designating Committee on Feb. 9 advanced HB 1629, a governor-backed bill to designate February as Tennessee Songwriters Month.
Sponsor Representative Bain told the committee the designation would honor Tennessee’s musical legacy, noting songs written across the state from Memphis and Jackson to Nashville and Bristol. He said the state’s tourism department supports dedicating time to songwriters and described the measure as bipartisan and celebratory.
The bill prompted a timing dispute. Representative Dixie asked the sponsor to consider moving the observance to March, saying, “February is Black History Month, and I don't want anything to step on those toes,” and later warned of optics that could be perceived as tone-deaf. Representative Barrett noted the bill amends section 15-2-129, which currently recognizes Tennessee Songwriters Week and explained that change from week to month is the reason February appears in the text. Representative Jones said he was not opposed to the measure but asked why the month chosen does not align with National Songwriting Month in May.
After members called the question and the clerk took votes, the clerk reported eight ayes, one nay and one present-not-voting. Chairman Faizon announced the bill moves on with a positive recommendation to the State and Local Government Committee.
What’s next: HB 1629 will be considered by the State and Local Government Committee. The committee record shows discussion focused on the timing of a cultural observance and whether the state should avoid overlapping or appearing to overshadow Black History Month.
