Local Government

This Tennessee bill requires members of utility district boards to serve without pay, but allows them to receive a per diem payment for attending up to 12 board meetings per year. The per diem payment cannot exceed $500 per meeting. This change affects various sections of the Tennessee Code related to local government operations.

Supporters of the bill argue that it promotes fiscal responsibility by limiting compensation for utility board members, ensuring that funds are used efficiently. By capping the per diem payments, the bill encourages board members to focus on public service rather than financial gain.

Critics of the bill may argue that it could discourage qualified individuals from serving on utility boards due to the lack of adequate compensation. They might also express concerns that limiting compensation could reduce the diversity and expertise of board members, potentially impacting the effectiveness of utility management.

The bill HB0335 requires utility district board members to serve without compensation, except for limited per diem payments. The sponsor, Bud Hulsey, is a retired police officer and owns a security consulting business. There is no direct alignment between his personal financial interests and the bill's impact on local government operations, building construction, real estate, or housing. The bill primarily affects the governance and compensation structure of utility district boards, which does not intersect with Hulsey's security consulting business or his previous occupation as a police officer. Therefore, the potential for personal financial gain from this legislation is minimal.

Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.

Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.