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Bill would designate eight tourist development zones as economic protection zones; committee debates local enforcement
Summary
House Bill 2366 would direct state and local agencies to promulgate rules designating eight named tourist development zones as economic protection zones, with provisions for state‑local law‑enforcement partnerships; the committee approved the bill 7–4.
House Bill 2366 would require the Department of Tourist Development, in consultation with Department of Economic and Community Development, TDEC, Department of Safety and affected local governments, to promulgate rules designating certain Tourist Development Zones (TDZs) as economic protection zones to protect and stimulate economic activity in those areas.
The sponsor listed eight TDZs by name, including the Chattanooga Convention Center, Knoxville Downtown and Convention Center, Memphis Downtown and Music City Center (Nashville Convention Center Authority), Pigeon Forge Event Center, and Sevierville Convention Center. Members pressed the sponsor on rule detail and enforcement: Representative Clemens asked whether local police departments could handle enforcement and whether the Tennessee Highway Patrol would be asked to assist. The sponsor said the legislation allows local law enforcement to request highway-patrol assistance and that the fiscal note anticipated participation by the Highway Patrol without a cost increase.
Members split on local‑control concerns and the genesis of the bill; the measure passed out of committee 7–4 to calendar and rules.
