Powers Of A City Incorporated Under A General Law City Manager-commission Charter

The bill allows cities in Tennessee that operate under a city manager-commission charter to partner with private companies to create and manage sports facilities. This includes both indoor and outdoor venues. The agreements must meet specific conditions set by the city.

TN SB0495 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Joseph Hensley (R), currently “Passed” since April 28, 2025.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 144 of them sponsored by Joseph Hensley.

Supporters of the bill argue that it will boost local economies by attracting sports events and creating jobs. They believe that allowing private partnerships will lead to better facilities and increased community engagement in sports.

Critics contend that the bill may lead to the misuse of public funds and prioritize private interests over community needs. There are concerns that it could result in less accountability and transparency in how public resources are managed.

The bill SB0495 allows cities with a city manager-commission charter to contract with private entities for the development and management of sports facilities. The sponsor, Joseph Hensley, has personal financial interests primarily in the healthcare sector as a physician and owner of a medical clinic. There are no direct overlaps between his personal financial interests and the sports and recreation industry that the bill affects. Therefore, it is unlikely that he would gain financially from this legislation, as his professional focus does not align with the construction or management of sports facilities.

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.