TennesseeWinchester utilities board oversees wastewater and other city utilities
If the Winchester City Council approves it by a two-thirds vote, the utilities board oversees the city’s wastewater system along with its other utility systems.
What it does
If the City Council approves it by a two-thirds vote, the law places Winchester’s electric, water, wastewater, and other city-owned utilities under one board.
The board and City Council review and approve utility rates and charges. They must approve a balanced budget for the coming year by June 30.
The law provides for a five-member utilities board. The mayor serves during the mayor’s term, and the other four members serve staggered four-year terms.
Argument forPutting the city’s electric, water, and wastewater systems under one board could help coordinate how Winchester manages those services.
Argument againstRequiring both the board and council to approve rates and budgets could add steps before utility decisions take effect.
More detail
The law places Winchester-owned utility systems under the Board of Public Utilities. The board’s role covers the city’s electric, water, wastewater, and other utilities it owns or later acquires. The law has no effect unless the Winchester City Council approves it by a two-thirds vote. For purposes of approving or rejecting the law, it takes effect when it becomes law. For other purposes, it takes effect only after the required City Council approval.
The board and City Council review and approve utility rates, service charges, and annual budgets. These rules cover Winchester’s electric, water, wastewater, and other utility systems. Rates and charges must cover reasonable system costs and listed obligations. The board and council must approve a balanced budget. The board must send each annual budget to the council by May 30. Both bodies must approve it by June 30 and approve any changes made during the year.
The mayor serves on the five-member board, and the City Council fills the other seats after considering the mayor’s nominees. The mayor serves while in office. The other four members serve staggered four-year terms, with one term ending each August 31. Board members must be qualified Winchester resident voters, and at least one current City Council member must serve. The council may remove a member for cause by a three-fourths vote. One of the four members’ terms expires each year on August 31.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pr. Ch. 59Latest
- May 21Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for his action.To Governor
- May 5Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 20Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.Minor
- Apr 15H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0620)Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15Passed H., as am., Ayes 86, Nays 1, PNV 7Passed Senate
- Apr 15Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.Minor
- Apr 15Received from House, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Apr 15Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.Major
- Apr 15Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0Passed House
- Apr 13
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026 4/9/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 9H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026
- Apr 8Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026
- Mar 24Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee 3/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/24/2026
- Mar 9Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE PRIVATE ACTS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to State & Local Government Committee 3/9/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Placed on cal. Private Acts Committee for 3/9/2026
- Mar 2P2C, ref. to Private Acts Committee - State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Feb 26Intro., P1C.Minor
- Feb 24Filed for introductionIntroduced
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