Tennessee Lawmakers Propose State Control Over Major Airport Boards

This article summarizes reporting by The Tennessean. The original report may be paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements, legislative data, and public remarks.

Tennessee Republican lawmakers have launched a renewed legislative effort in March 2026 to transfer majority control of the state’s major metropolitan Airports boards from local municipalities to state officials. According to reporting by The Tennessean, this marks the second major attempt by the state legislature to take over the Nashville International Airport (BNA) authority.

Unlike the 2023 legislation that exclusively targeted Nashville and was subsequently struck down in court, the 2026 bill expands the scope to include several other major cities. The Tennessean reports:

Republican lawmakers are once again attempting to take over Nashville International Airport. This time, they’re including Memphis and Knoxville.

The legislation, championed by top state Republicans, is currently advancing through House and Senate committees despite strong opposition from local leaders who warn against the politicization of regional economic engines.

Mechanics of the 2026 Airport Board Legislation

The new legislative push is heavily backed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) and carried in the Senate by State Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta). According to legislative research, Sexton introduced the measure by substituting a caption bill regarding airport financial reports with an amendment that completely restructures Tennessee airport boards.

Proposed Board Structure

Under the proposed framework, local airport authorities would be replaced by a standardized nine-person commission. The appointment power would heavily favor the state government, shifting the balance of power away from local municipalities. The Governor, the State House Speaker, and the State Senate Speaker would each appoint two members, totaling six state-controlled seats.

Local control would be reduced to a minority stake. A local chief executive, such as a city mayor, would appoint the remaining three members. Each commissioner would serve a four-year term. The bill also mandates specific diversity and professional quotas, requiring that at least one board member be female, at least one be a racial minority, and several hold specific professional credentials.

Historical Context and the 2023 Legal Defeat

To understand the current legislative push, we must look back at the state’s previous attempt to take over the Nashville airport board. In 2023, the Republican-led legislature passed a law vacating Nashville’s mayor-appointed, seven-member airport board, replacing it with an eight-member board where state leaders held six appointments.

Metro Nashville sued the state over the 2023 law. They argued it violated the Tennessee Constitution’s “Home Rule” amendment, which prevents the state from passing laws that single out a specific city or county without local approval. In October 2023, a three-judge panel unanimously struck down the law. The court noted that the legislation unconstitutionally targeted Nashville while explicitly excluding Memphis, leading to the reinstatement of the original, locally appointed board.

The state appealed this decision. The Tennessee Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the matter on February 12, 2026, and a ruling is currently pending.

Arguments from Proponents and Opponents

The State’s Perspective

Proponents of the bill argue that the state’s financial contributions justify greater oversight. House Speaker Cameron Sexton has argued that the state invests significantly more money into these airports than local governments do, giving the state a vested interest in ensuring their operational success.

Furthermore, supporters contend that major airports serve broad regional populations far beyond the borders of the single city that currently controls them. By expanding the bill to include Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities, proponents believe they have bypassed the “Home Rule” constitutional violation that doomed the 2023 legislation.

Local Opposition and Concerns

Opponents, primarily local officials and Democrats, argue this is a massive overreach by the state government. They view the legislation as stripping municipalities of their right to govern their own vital infrastructure and economic hubs.

Critics also fear the politicization of historically nonpartisan boards. Knox County Democratic Rep. Sam McKenzie has argued that local airport boards, such as Knoxville’s, have historically been bipartisan entities focused solely on operational success. Opponents fear state appointments will inject partisan politics into airport management.

There are also lingering concerns regarding eminent domain. During the temporary 2023 state takeover of the Nashville board, the new authority was granted expanded eminent domain powers, allowing it to bypass the Metro Council to seize land for expansion. Local residents and officials fear a return to this dynamic under the 2026 proposal.

AirPro News analysis

We observe that the 2026 legislation represents a calculated strategic pivot by Tennessee state lawmakers. By expanding the scope of the takeover to include Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities, the state is directly addressing the legal vulnerabilities that led to the defeat of the 2023 Nashville-specific bill.

The inclusion of race and gender quotas, alongside allowing local mayors to retain three seats, appear to be strategic concessions designed to make the bill more defensible in court and slightly more palatable to local executives. However, the core objective remains the same: shifting the balance of power over major transportation hubs from local municipalities to the state legislature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which airports are affected by the 2026 legislation?
The bill applies to metropolitan airport authorities statewide, impacting Nashville (BNA), Memphis, Knoxville (McGhee Tyson), Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities.

How will the new airport boards be structured?
The proposed boards will have nine members: six appointed by state officials (the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate Speaker) and three appointed by local mayors.

Why was the 2023 takeover attempt struck down?
A three-judge panel ruled the 2023 law violated the Tennessee Constitution’s “Home Rule” amendment because it singled out Nashville without local approval while explicitly excluding other cities like Memphis.

Sources

• The Tennessean