House Bill 780, sponsored by Stevens, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to establish a framework for the annual revision and certification of population estimates for counties and municipalities. The bill mandates that the Department of Economic and Community Development revise and certify these populations prior to July 1 each year, using estimates generated by the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee. This process aims to ensure equitable allocation and distribution of funds based on the most current population data, except in cases where populations are adjusted due to special censuses or the regular decennial federal census.

Key insertions in the bill include the addition of new subdivisions that outline the responsibilities of the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Boyd Center for generating and certifying population estimates. The bill also specifies that allocations of funds to counties and municipalities must be based on these revised populations, reinforcing the importance of accurate and timely population data in the distribution of state resources. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 67-6-103(a)(3)(A), 67-6-103, 67-6-103(a)(3), 67-6-103(j)(4), 4-49-104(e)(2), 4-49-104