Resolution Banning Statewide Property Tax Passes First Hurdle In Tennessee House

Image: Sponsor Representative Tandy Darby presents HJR0002 to the House Cities & Counties Subcommittee Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

A resolution banning statewide property tax passed in the House Cities and Counties Subcommittee on Wednesday. 

In a unanimous vote, House Joint Resolution 0002 (HJR0002) was referred to the House State and Local Government Committee. 

Sponsored by Representative Tandy Darby (R-Greenfield-District 97), the resolution would amend the state constitution and restrict the General Assembly from allowing a statewide property tax in Tennessee. 

While the state has not enforced this type of property tax in over 75 years, relying instead on sales tax for its primary source of funds, the Tennessee constitution allows for the legislature to reinstate it with just one bill. 

During last year’s legislative session, the General Assembly passed a joint resolution that laid the foundation for HJR0002 and the companion Senate Joint Resolution 0001.

Tennessee Senate Votes For Resolution Blocking Statewide Property Tax

Should the resolution pass with a two-thirds majority in both chambers during the 2025 legislative session, the constitutional amendment could be placed on the 2026 state ballot. 

SJR0001, sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin-District 18), is up for a vote on the Senate floor today, March 20th, 2025. 

HJR0002 has been scheduled to be heard in the House State and Local Government Committee on March 26th, 2025. 

Contact information for members of the committee may be found below. 

HJR0002 Summary: Proposes additional language in Article II, Section 28 to prohibit the general assembly from levying, authorizing, or otherwise permitting a state tax on property.

Rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeff.burkhart@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov, rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov, rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.