§ 6-53-104 — Voting members of governing body limited

(a) (1) After the next general election for the governing body of a municipality held on or after March 9, 2023, the governing body must not be composed of more than twenty (20) voting members. (2) With respect to municipalities formed after March 9, 2023, the governing body must not be composed of more than twenty (20) voting members. (b) (1) For purposes of complying with subsection (a), the governing body of a municipality shall dissolve, combine, or reapportion districts or wards, as necessary, so that the number of members elected to the governing body does not exceed twenty (20) voting members. Using the most recent federal census, the governing body shall ensure that a reapportionment maintains substantially equal representation based on population and otherwise complies with the United States and Tennessee Constitutions and state and federal law. (2) The governing body of a municipality may take any action by majority vote of the governing body necessary to implement and facilitate this section, irrespective of any provision of a charter or private act. (c) Notwithstanding a general law or charter provision to the contrary, and irrespective of whether a person has previously served on the governing body of a municipality: (1) A person who is elected on or after March 9, 2023 may seek as many terms in office, including those partially served, as are permissible under applicable provisions of the general law or the governing municipal charter; and (2) After the reapportionment of districts under subsection (b), if any, a person may run for elected office to the governing body in any district or as an at-large candidate to the extent that the person is qualified to run in accordance with applicable provisions of the general law or the governing municipal charter. (d) As used in this section, "governing body of a municipality" means that body, board, or council in which the general legislative powers of an incorporated city or town, including a home rule city, are vested. The term does not include the governing body of a metropolitan government.

Legislative History

Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 21, s 2, eff. 3/9/2023.