Senate Bill 2717, also known as House Bill 2645, seeks to completely overhaul the charter of the City of Martin, Tennessee, by repealing the existing charter from 1992 and instituting a new governance framework. This new charter delineates the structure and powers of the city government, including the roles of the mayor and aldermen, the election process, and the establishment of city departments. It specifies the division of the city into three wards, mandates biennial elections for the mayor and aldermen, and sets forth qualifications for candidates and voters.

The bill further elaborates on the responsibilities of key city officials, including the mayor, board of aldermen, city manager, city recorder, city attorney, and city judge. It grants the city manager authority over city administration, employee supervision, and budget preparation, while the city recorder manages financial functions and record-keeping. The city attorney is tasked with providing legal counsel, and the city judge will oversee ordinance violations. Additionally, the bill emphasizes ethical conduct among city officials, competitive bidding for contracts, and merit-based hiring for city employees, all aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and effective governance in Martin.