House Bill 14-35, a private act for the city of Oakland, Tenn., was approved by the House committee on March 31 and referred to the House State and Local Government Committee.

Representative Gantt, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure "is for the city of Oakland, and it's to establish terms of office for mayor and alderman begin to begin upon officials, swearing in on the first business day of the month. Designates 5 alderman automatic positions and allows for a sixth position contingent on certain population metrics, provides for additional conditions, for elected office there in their charter." The sponsor said the bill was submitted with a resolution from Oakland.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the city referenced in the bill and about local details. A committee member also raised a brief, unrelated question referencing the Oakland Athletics baseball team; committee members confirmed the question had no bearing on the municipal charter language under consideration. The committee opened and closed debate with no amendments recorded.

The committee vote was unanimous: the clerk reported 10 ayes, and the chairman announced that House Bill 14-35 "passes" and was referred to State and Local Government. No votes against or abstentions were recorded in the transcript.

The bill text specifies when municipal terms begin and the number of aldermen; the transcript did not include the bill number in municipal ordinance form or the exact population threshold that would trigger a sixth alderman beyond the sponsor’s summary. The sponsor and the clerk confirmed a town resolution accompanied the filing. The committee did not record further legal analysis during the hearing.

The bill now moves forward to the House State and Local Government Committee for further consideration.