TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Mar 14, 2025

A bill that could set deadlines on homeless encampment clearings and the disposal of people’s personal belongings passed the Senate on Thursday. According to the Nashville Banner, the proposal from Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, is designed to allow the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to enter into individual memoranda of understanding with local authorities to clear encampments in public areas under DOT’s purview. Taylor says the bill was spurred by his months-long struggle to get an encampment cleared in Memphis. Advocates argue the bill may violate personal property rights. While an earlier version included a $64 million fiscal note to store personal effects, the amended bill removes that provision. The bill is now headed to the House Transportation Subcommittee. Rep. Tom Leatherwood, R-Arlington, is sponsoring the House version.