TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Mar 20, 2025

A three-judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could determine the future size of the Metro Council. In 2023, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a law that would reduce the council's size from 40 to 20 members. In 2023 and again in 2024, a court placed an injunction on the law finding it to be unconstitutional under the state's Home Rule amendment, which prohibits legislation that specifically targets one local government. The state appealed that ruling, according to the Nashville Banner. During the hearing, Metro argued that the judges need not address the law's constitutionality and could rule that the council does not have to be reduced based on the law's plain language. The state countered that the law applies to all local governments in Tennessee and that Metro’s claim of exemption violated the Home Rule amendment. The judges did not indicate when a ruling would be issued. The next Metro elections are not scheduled until 2027.