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Committee advances bill to extend Nashville Tourism Development Zone and create joint capital tourism board
Summary
House Bill 2085 would extend Nashville's Tourism Development Zone to 2043 and create a Joint Capital Tourism Board to direct excess TDZ funds toward convention center expansion, public-safety and East Bank infrastructure; the comptroller supported the structure and said TDZ revenue does not flow to the city general fund.
Representative Boyd, sponsor of House Bill 2085, told the committee the measure would extend the Nashville Tourism Development Zone (TDZ) to 2043, establish a Joint Capital Tourism Board with appointments by the speaker, lieutenant governor, governor and Metro officials, and allocate excess TDZ revenues for projects such as the Music City Center expansion, event attraction and public-safety/cleanliness programs.
"It will extend the date of the TDZ to the year 2043," Representative Boyd said, describing a collaborative process involving the Department of Economic and Community Development, Metro Nashville, the speaker's office and the lieutenant governor's office.
Members pressed why the governor would appoint the board chair instead of the Nashville mayor and why the board is attached to the Comptroller's office. Comptroller Jason Mumpower, who testified for the office, said Metro participated in drafting the structure and that the comptroller's office was chosen because it already staffs similar financing boards and can oversee financial matters without additional state funds. He also told members that the TDZ revenue "does not" go to Nashville's general fund.
Questions about the amount of money generated and distribution prompted the committee to invite the comptroller to provide exact figures after the meeting; Mumpower said he would follow up. The committee voted to advance HB 2085 out of Government Operations.
What happens next: HB 2085 advances to the next legislative stops for calendar and finance or appropriations review depending on project planning and funding requests.
