The Finance, Ways, and Means Committee of the Tennessee State Legislature convened on April 15, 2025, to discuss key legislative matters, primarily focusing on House Bill 1407, the bond bill. Chairman Hicks opened the meeting by outlining the amendment to the bill, which included an additional $25 million in general obligation bonds designated for the MTSU Murphy Center.

The bond bill encompasses several significant projects across the state, including new facilities for the Department of Children’s Services, a new operations center for TEMA, renovations at ETSU's Brown Hall, and various construction projects at universities such as Tennessee Tech and the University of Memphis. Notably, the bill also authorizes bonds for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), although it was noted that these bonds are typically not issued, as the General Assembly appropriates recurring funds equivalent to 11% of the principal amount of all authorized but unissued bonds.

Chairman Hicks emphasized that Tennessee maintains a low debt profile, with annual debt service at 2.4% of tax revenue at the start of the Lee administration. He also mentioned that most projects funded by these bonds are for higher education institutions, which currently can only issue bonds for revenue-generating projects. The Tennessee State School Bond Authority (TSSBA) is considering policy changes to expand the types of projects eligible for bond issuance.

Following the presentation, the committee moved to a vote on House Bill 1407, which passed unanimously with 26 votes in favor and none against, allowing the bill to proceed to the calendar rules.

In addition to the legislative discussions, Chairman Hicks and other committee members took time to acknowledge the hard work of staff and fellow legislators involved in the budget process. Members expressed gratitude for the dedication and support provided by staff, highlighting the challenges faced during the legislative session.

The meeting concluded with a brief recess before the committee was set to address a full calendar of bills, indicating a busy agenda ahead for the legislature.