Tennessee Bill Requires Local Governments To Attest They Have Not Sought, Received Grants Relative To United Nations Plans To Infringe On Personal Property Rights

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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

Tennessee legislation, that currently awaits the signature of Governor Lee, requires that local governments present a written attestation to the comptroller that they have not sought or received a grant in intentional pursuit of policies relative to the United Nations’ climate agenda that could infringe on personal property rights.

Present Tennessee law prohibits this state and its political subdivisions from adopting or implementing policy recommendations that deliberately or inadvertently infringe or restrict private property rights without due process, as may be required by policy recommendations originating in, or traceable to, the United Nations or a subsidiary entity of the United Nations. 

Additionally, this state and its political subdivisions are prohibited from entering into an agreement, expending any sum of money, or providing financial aid to non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations as described in or promoted by the United Nations plans and initiatives relative to Agenda 21, The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, or net zero goals for 2050.

House Bill 2117/SB2743 requires, as part of a political subdivision’s annual audit, the executive of the political subdivision or the governing body of the political subdivision to present a written attestation to the comptroller of the treasury certifying that the political subdivision has not sought or received a grant in intentional pursuit of a policy relative to Agenda 21, The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, net zero goals for 2050, or another international law or ancillary plan of action that contravenes the U.S. Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution. 

The Tennessee Senate passed SB2743, sponsored by Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains-District 8), on April 4th, 2024, with a vote of 24 in favor and 5 voting against.  Only Democrats voted against SB2743.

The House followed with passage of HB2117, sponsored by Representative Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro-District 36) on April 15th, 2024 with a vote of 73 in favor and 24 against.  As with SB2743, only Democrats voted against.

House Bill 2117/SB2743 was transmitted to Governor Lee on April 19th and currently awaits his signature before becoming law.

This act takes effect July 1, 2024, the public welfare requiring it.