Fees Assessed By A Local Government

The bill requires local government departments and officials to provide documentation justifying any fees they charge that are over $250. This documentation must be made public and will be audited annually by the state comptroller. The aim is to increase transparency and accountability in local government fee assessments.

TN SB0988 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Ferrell Haile (R), currently “Passed” since April 4, 2025.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 129 of them sponsored by Ferrell Haile.

Supporters of the bill argue that it enhances transparency and ensures that local governments are held accountable for the fees they impose on residents. By requiring justification for higher fees, it empowers citizens to understand how their money is being used and promotes responsible financial practices within local government.

Critics of the bill may contend that the additional documentation and auditing requirements could burden local governments, especially smaller ones, with excessive paperwork and administrative costs. They might argue that this could hinder the ability of local agencies to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.

The bill SB0988 requires local governments to document the justification and cost basis for fees over $250, making this information public and subject to annual audits. The sponsor, Ferrell Haile, has various personal financial interests, including being a pharmacist and owning Perkins Drugs & Gift Shoppe, as well as holding positions in several real estate-related entities. However, there is no direct overlap between these interests and the specific provisions of the bill, which primarily affects local government operations rather than the pharmaceutical or real estate sectors directly. Therefore, while the bill may influence local government fee structures, it does not appear to create a situation where the sponsor would gain financially from its passage.

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.