[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6322692,"mediaKeyId","2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9","parentId",2346961,"title","Billboard industry briefs committee on economic footprint and seeks statutory clarity on takings compensation","audioSeconds",461,"startMs",2731085,"endMs",3192850,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9&start=2731&end=3192","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9/thumbnail_2731085.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322692/Tennessee/Billboard-industry-briefs-committee-on-economic-footprint-and-seeks-statutory-clarity-on-takings-compensation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322692-d3f1ba5e748d5e6e2c3212799d44738c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176845&Signature=hdPc5zTGdc6letaKcvtvnjnXu9ZxoQ~tbxj6FmfNIIyyv-PIRtFxlgZ56eo~lN0jlpT4wsepwDqr2JK2y3j~ozEZWd91u01QqA7ALTVLNixfWAXNSh7BKjSSrxSNY12mSawd8C9aXQyuHU5beAL8YOjMn-LFbXL1znXNqvCR~K6mYY6RGDYNZPRwMmdgPM0MNZAgexSmRYTxxqSYWXCtrBaUz0BGu-PdPUxdd~4fPNLRkWN1p3XXrOqwax5Zc~CckMbSMoNRBKNYpCNI8Nm7nPDm0AqWj-VEWdJntHyxj1t~6ZxZcSJz8tDChFwCtw3x-PJjrbG2ZnTIDPxq7ZLshg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Outdoor Advertising Association of Tennessee told the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee that billboards contribute to local economies through jobs, lease payments and advertising for Tennessee businesses, and that the industry seeks a statutory fix to clarify compensation when billboards are taken for public road projects.

Holly Kirby, executive director of the association, said member companies employ more than 175 people in Tennessee with an annual payroll of about $15 million and that member companies pay over $2.1 million in state and local taxes. She said members also make lease payments to roughly 4,500 landowners totaling more than $23 million a year, donate more than $3 million in donated space and charitable giving, and provide advertising for about 22,700 businesses.

Kirby reviewed the regulatory framework: the federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965, the state’s agreement with FHWA (administered via TDOT), and recent case law. She cited the Sixth Circuit decision Thomas v. Tennessee (Feb. 2019), which found parts of Tennessee’s prior billboard law content‑based; the legislature and this committee later revised state law and rules to respond to that ruling.

Kirby described a pending bill (sponsored by Senator Pote) that would clarify how compensation is determined when a billboard is removed for a public project. She said current case law is inconsistent about whether billboard owners may present evidence of lost business value beyond the physical structure and the association would prefer relocation but seeks clear statutory guidance ensuring fair compensation when relocation is not possible. “These are businesses. It's not just structure in the ground,” Kirby said.

The presentation noted regulation also involves local governments, which may adopt ordinances tied to state law, and that TDOT enforcement is linked to federal funding obligations under the Highway Beautification Act.

Committee members were offered follow up materials and the association noted the bill likely will be referred to the judiciary committee for consideration.

The committee did not take formal action on billboard legislation during this meeting; the association asked for legislative clarification and said it will return with more detail if requested.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation and Safety Committee\tFeb 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Outdoor Advertising Association of Tennessee presented industry employment and revenue figures, explained state and federal regulation tied to the Highway Beautification Act and described pending legislation to clarify compensation for billboards taken for road projects.","taxTitle","Transportation and Safety, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",36826,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322696,"Railroad industry briefs committee on freight network, cargo theft and grade‑crossing issues",983,979420,1962715,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9&start=979&end=1962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9/thumbnail_979420.jpg","/articles/6322696/Tennessee/Railroad-industry-briefs-committee-on-freight-network-cargo-theft-and-gradecrossing-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322696-57fb8c2cc248d046c694501fb5c95410/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176845&Signature=ID3IfGwiLxY8lcIIQ3lOPkspGc9RsU4o7l0B1E7LiDSBZecn7kswF6ZODeENDFZ2TMJS8KsdAjerGraUwiKSy-z4OhBWigOZoHEMoohsDoVAwBSY3YEyVyadV6G2l4YTEamgN3rGrQ3ar-hcJjSwN7VJ1ISXSVa12mh9bJvJqj7jYQHG7HJ21VNCK8zGNV7kGEkxUyqFU9RIx2aLrJxAxJ9MIKBbKmNjnjgU1XyLDUVvpPqYu0-F~wTdxKPlmh04mw0~L4vouSR57PhYeYrBle0XW9OHVsX5iJjN6Mm1xwTLS0H70AgRMy2eS08MLPMwBAFQh69afMRk5vXIQ663~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee Railroad Association told the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee that freight rail is a critical part of the state’s transportation network and outlined key safety and security challenges, including a recent rise in organized cargo theft.

Tasha Alexander, speaking for the association, said the U.S. freight rail network comprises roughly 40,000 miles of track and that about 70% of passenger rail operates on freight‑owned tracks. She described Tennessee as strategically significant: Memphis is one of five U.S. cities served by five Class‑I railroads and serves as a gateway between eastern and western rail networks.

Alexander reviewed federal regulators with jurisdiction over railroads — the Federal Railroad Administration, the Surface Transportation Board, PHMSA, the NTSB and the NLRB — and she summarized the class system (Class 1, 2, 3) based on revenue thresholds. She said U.S. freight railroads historically reinvest a large share of revenue into infrastructure and maintenance.

On operational complaints she hears from constituents, Alexander said blocked crossings most often reflect mechanical problems, crew‑availability issues or maintenance needs rather than intentional railroad practice: “It is never the desire of the railroad to have a stopped or blocked crossing situation,” she said. She noted TDOT maintains a website to log blocked crossing complaints.

Alexander and committee members also discussed cargo theft. She said organized criminal rings are increasingly targeting intermodal freight and rail shipments — not limited to low‑value items — and that the industry has proposed legislation and a coalition (including the Tennessee Trucking Association and chambers of commerce) to address the problem. When asked what commodities are stolen, she said retail items and metals are among targets and that thefts occur both at stopped trains and inside yards or intermodal facilities.

She explained safety funding and programs: Section 130 federal funds (administered through TDOT/FHWA) pay for warning devices and other improvements at grade crossings; quiet zones are permitted under federal rules but must be applied for by a governmental agency; emergency notification signage and posted railroad emergency contact numbers exist along lines.

Alexander highlighted two major intermodal facilities in Tennessee — Norfolk Southern’s facility in Rossville and BNSF’s intermodal terminal on Lamar Avenue in Memphis — and said intermodal has been the fastest growing segment of rail freight for decades.

Committee members asked about passenger‑rail prospects and federal funding; Alexander said that most passenger service runs on freight‑owned tracks, that southern lines are often single‑track (affecting capacity), and that routing and capacity issues must be studied carefully when considering passenger service expansion.

Alexander said the railroad association has filed legislation this year to address cargo theft and that the association would welcome committee engagement on those proposals.

The presentation closed with an offer to provide additional materials and to coordinate field visits to intermodal facilities for committee members.","The Tennessee Railroad Association presented an overview of freight rail operations in the state, highlighting Memphis’s national importance, factors causing blocked crossings, the rise in organized cargo theft, and federal and state safety programs including quiet zones and the Section 130 grade‑crossing program.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322701,"Committee advances bill allowing electronic vehicle registrations, with amendment letting officers request paper copies",299,631075,930305,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9&start=631&end=930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9/thumbnail_631075.jpg","/articles/6322701/Tennessee/Committee-advances-bill-allowing-electronic-vehicle-registrations-with-amendment-letting-officers-request-paper-copies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322701-f642b241c6e63a30a1ca74d90186e358/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176845&Signature=bIzpljx0~1E~b1rx-xBGg9iFFysbXnhAX61ViBMqkPA-78ib1ChiCDGsATEsnjhX35aj2MWY7oLY7yDexSY5IqPXCnUiYmm5tjChLgOMFVKoY52siy~7-Wopv7acGUb85WsXzjD2wfI~rtTt~k9vRk~Dn6yHfJm7xO6ndEplyZj60gknppo2H-pwQsGWY4UJG-5XiKzn5UhoH-XPCODZjVRDrwdr4X9tmtZvOtdu4m5Lyr7APIvX8IFdbxXPer6NSD6G0QFuoVsCONe0k8IDFe-4e3~Fn3Vx-hdpZVAt~u8iEPjEr2pxttXd6XvJfVjiF0VXR~bNn-WA5kuK6EgI7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation and Safety Committee voted to advance legislation permitting vehicle owners to keep and present registration documents on electronic devices.

Senator Taylor, the bill sponsor, said the bill was prompted by constituents who worry that leaving a paper registration in a car reveals their home address and increases theft risk. “What this bill does… is it allows the car owner to keep their auto registration on an electronic device so that if law enforcement pulls them over, they have a copy of it on their cell phone or their iPad,” Taylor said.

The committee considered amendment 3706, which was drafted with input from the Department of Safety and the Department of Transportation. The amendment permits an officer to require a paper copy if the officer has reason to doubt the electronic registration’s authenticity; Taylor explained officers can verify electronic registration through radio checks and other verification methods.

Committee members asked about overlap with earlier bills that allowed insurance documents to be stored electronically; Taylor confirmed the committee previously permitted electronic presentation of insurance and that this bill extends similar treatment to registrations.

After discussion, the committee adopted the amendment and then took a roll call vote. The clerk recorded a unanimous 9‑0 vote in favor; the measure was reported to the calendar.

Key details: sponsor — Senator Taylor; amendment adopted — 3706 (authorizes officer to require paper if authenticity cannot be verified); who may verify — law enforcement via radio/other checks per Department of Safety procedures.

Votes at a glance: Bill (identified in committee as Senate bill 2 17 / later referenced as Senate bill 2 28 in the hearing transcript) — Committee vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays; outcome: passed and reported to calendar.","The committee approved a bill to let vehicle owners present registration electronically; an amendment added language allowing law enforcement to require a paper copy if officers cannot verify the electronic document's authenticity.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322706,"Committee approves temporary exemption to allow Chattanooga antique car auction without dealer license",211,401935,613235,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9&start=401&end=613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346961-d97949c281c3549dabc2a1b435c625f9/thumbnail_401935.jpg","/articles/6322706/Tennessee/Committee-approves-temporary-exemption-to-allow-Chattanooga-antique-car-auction-without-dealer-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322706-1da58bdc134e697aeae3301b9ab94a43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176846&Signature=OPa6zFVzh~SBuIqNNoq7KVHeKN5EtEPv3zDFFkwvOXCP-iwKoSrG5g~UGOROoyLGmUiFQj-lB~xNJXY~wjappKS4sFOAdmNoDcfzkqUNotj38jD0nLTWhTvZgEkuioWnYqomyC-OQ~Tbith9rcQjlyOKCEjByjoZ~xnbiT6Mu3aclvXug0a4yUZCY4xcQyYwxuqZBQlZZFLqsI9xllQ6fCfsRU3M~p73-f0doDNq1EQwJwq4tuqXpBGh~o0LovJpyLp2kAVTis6VU9ZairCD-WJO~p3j27ZJuKGac3EoofGJv6JXNET2SK7xexoJOWQhVKqFFQNmzpmLMYcQUlFy8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Transportation and Safety Committee members voted unanimously to advance a bill allowing Chattanooga’s annual high‑end antique car auction to operate without a motor vehicle dealer license for this year’s event.

The bill authorizes a limited, time‑bound exemption so the Chattanooga festival and its accompanying auction can be held without dealer licensing requirements that would otherwise apply to vehicle sales. Senator Gordon Howe, presenting for the bill, said the festival has produced “over a million dollars in extra sales tax revenues for the state and for Hamilton County” and described the auction as a short, high‑value event that requires a narrow waiver.

The measure limits the exemption to the single event window and includes an automatic repeal date: “They only have it on October. On October 22, this act is repealed,” Howe said during his remarks. He told the committee the language is narrowly tailored so the exemption applies only for the festival period and does not create a permanent change to dealer licensing rules.

Committee Chair Massey asked for a positive vote and the clerk recorded an 9‑0 vote in favor; the committee reported the bill to the calendar.

The committee did not adopt any amendments to expand or make the exemption permanent during the hearing. Supporters said the authorization is intended to be temporary and limited to the festival’s dates.

The bill will be placed on the Senate calendar for further consideration.

Votes at a glance: Senate bill (presented as “Senate bill 2 13” in the hearing) — Committee vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays; outcome: passed and reported to calendar.","The Senate Transportation and Safety Committee voted unanimously to pass a temporary exemption allowing a high-end antique car auction and related festival in Chattanooga to operate without a motor vehicle dealer license; the authorization includes a one‑time, automatic repeal provision.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Billboard industry briefs committee on economic footprint and seeks statutory clarity on takings compensation

Railroad industry briefs committee on freight network, cargo theft and grade‑crossing issues

Committee advances bill allowing electronic vehicle registrations, with amendment letting officers request paper copies

Committee approves temporary exemption to allow Chattanooga antique car auction without dealer license