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Committee approves appropriation to cover local costs tied to redistricting implementation
Summary
The Finance, Ways and Means Committee advanced House Bill 5, an appropriation using unspent FY27 funds to reimburse local election commissions for costs tied to mid‑decade congressional redistricting; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill to calendar and rules by a 15–6 vote.
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee House Finance, Ways and Means Committee on May 6 advanced an appropriation intended to reimburse local election officials for expenses tied to implementing recent congressional boundary changes.
Chairman Williams told the committee House Bill 5 would allow the state to use unappropriated FY27 funds to cover mandatory local expenditures tied to implementation of House Bills 703 and 701, while also covering security trooper costs and roughly $140,000 in members’ per diem and mileage. "This appropriation act funds a 100% of the mandatory local expenditures associated with the implementation of house bill 703 as well as house bill 701," he said.
Supporters said fiscal review estimated about $3,154,700 in local costs linked to the congressional changes and noted roughly $7,000,000 remained unappropriated from the FY27 budget. "Fiscal review has taken the tenants of the bills associated with extraordinary special session...come up with a fiscal note," Williams said, adding the state would distribute certified local costs through the usual Finance & Administration process.
Opponents questioned whether the fiscal estimate fully accounted for the work required across counties—especially in rural jurisdictions—and raised concerns about reprogramming voting systems, expedited mailings and overtime. Representative Clemons pointed to the Moore v. Lee litigation and testimony from election officials in 2022 that late map changes can create risks for meeting federal timelines for overseas and military voters under UOCAVA and the MOVE Act.
Chairman Williams and others repeatedly said the state intends to hold local election commissions harmless for the costs of implementing the congressional changes and that the fiscal note reflects expected overtime, IT modifications and postage.
The committee placed amendment 019150 on the bill by unanimous consent and later approved the amendment and the bill on a roll‑call vote, with the clerk announcing 15 ayes and 6 nos. The action sends the measure to calendar and rules for further consideration.
The committee meeting concluded with no additional business; calendar and rules was scheduled to convene about 10 minutes later.
