TennesseeCharlotte charter sets city rules if local officials approve
If Charlotte’s legislative body approves the law by a two-thirds vote, the charter sets local officials’ duties and rules for city finances and courts.
What it does
Charlotte’s charter defines an elector as a city resident or a nonresident who owns at least half of property in the city and can provide certified proof of ownership.
The mayor leads city administration and directs city employees. A city court may hear violations of the charter and city ordinances, with a judge serving full time or part time.
The charter provides for general-purpose property taxes and requires an annual proposed budget. The mayor or an appointed employee handles city purchases, with exceptions for certain services and government purchases.
Argument forResidents could follow council decisions through public meetings and recorded votes, and three council members may add an item to the next agenda.
Argument againstThe mayor could hold broad control over city employees and purchasing, which may leave fewer city decisions with other officials.
More detail
The law defines who qualifies as an elector. The definition applies to people who qualify as electors in Charlotte. A nonresident property owner must hold at least a 50% ownership interest, excluding cemetery plots, and provide a certified deed or tax record naming the owners.
The law assigns administrative and staffing powers to the mayor and provides for a city court. The mayor’s duties cover city administration and employees. The court may hear violations of the charter and city ordinances. The Council may establish the court by ordinance, with a full-time or part-time judge. A judge must step aside from a case involving the judge’s interest, a family relationship to the defendant within the third degree, or a belief that the judge may be prejudiced. An acting judge handles those cases and cases during the judge’s absence or disability.
The law provides for city taxes and spending, an annual budget, and centralized purchasing. These provisions concern Charlotte’s city finances and purchases. Property taxes are for general purposes, excluding debt service; the city may borrow and spend money for city purposes. The mayor must submit a proposed budget by the date the Council sets. The purchasing agent is the mayor or an employee appointed by the mayor; ordinances govern awards to the lowest and best bidder, with exceptions for certain services and government purchases. The mayor must submit each proposed budget no later than 45 days before the next fiscal year begins.
Where do you stand?
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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. 56Latest
- 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 15Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Apr 14Received from House, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Apr 13Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/13/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 13Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.Minor
- Apr 9H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/13/2026
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Consent Calendar 4/9/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 8Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee 4/8/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026
- Apr 1Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 4/8/2026
- Apr 1Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 4/8/2026
- Mar 25Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 3/31/2026
- Mar 25Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/31/2026
- Mar 18Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 18Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/24/2026
- Mar 11Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/18/2026
- Mar 9Rec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE PRIVATE ACTS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government Committee 3/9/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Placed on cal. Private Acts Committee for 3/9/2026
- Feb 23P2C, ref. to Private Acts Committee - State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Feb 19Intro., P1C.Minor
- Feb 17Filed for introductionIntroduced
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