Tennessee House Bill HB2656

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/26
• Refer: 3/9/26
• Refer: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/31/26
• Engrossed: 4/13/26
• Enrolled: 4/20/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Chapter 325 of the Private Acts of 1945; as amended by Chapter 335 of the Private Acts of 1968; Chapter 282 of the Private Acts of 1972; Chapter 23 of the Private Acts of 1973; Chapter 93 of the Private Acts of 1983; Chapter 83 of the Private Acts of 1985; Chapter 218 of the Private Acts of 1990; Chapter 11 of the Private Acts of 1991; Chapter 65 of the Private Acts of 1993; Chapter 90 of the Private Acts of 2000; Chapter 77 of the Private Acts of 2002; Chapter 136 of the Private Acts of 2002; Chapter 27 of the Private Acts of 2011; Chapter 41 of the Private Acts of 2022; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the City of Lafayette.

Impact

The bill stipulates that the newly elected Mayor and Council members will assume office at 10:00 a.m. on the last Thursday of November following their election. Furthermore, it includes a compensation structure for Council Members, allowing them to receive $150 for each Council meeting attended and $75 for Committee meetings. This provision aims to standardize the compensation for elected officials and encourage active participation in municipal governance.

Summary

House Bill 2656 aims to amend several provisions related to the governance of the City of Lafayette, particularly focusing on the structure and election of the City Council. The bill proposes the election of the Mayor and six Council Members for four-year terms, with specific election dates set for November 2026 and November 2028. This change aims to provide a formal schedule for future local elections and enhance the governance framework of the city.

Contention

A notable aspect of HB2656 is the amendment regarding the compensation of the Mayor, who will receive $75,000 annually starting the last Thursday in November after the November 2028 elections. This change may provoke discussion regarding the adequacy of the proposed salary in relation to the responsibilities of the office. Additionally, the bill specifies that it will only take effect if approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the legislative body of the City of Lafayette, indicating potential debate among local legislators concerning the implications of these changes.