Subcommittee approves bond bill to fund UT Health Science Center project, moves measure to full finance

Chairman Hicks presented House Bill 26‑30, the bond bill, telling the subcommittee that while the bill authorizes TDOT and the state to issue bonds each year, those bonds are seldom issued. He said the only project identified for bonding this year is the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine building, for which UT will provide $29 million alongside approximately $311 million in state general‑obligation bonds.

"This is affectionately known as the bond bill," Chairman Hicks said, explaining the purpose and noting the specific UT project. With no further discussion, the committee voted to send the bill to full finance; the clerk reported 28 ayes, 0 nos.

The subcommittee's action advances the authorization for bonds to the next committee stage. Chairman Williams and others took a moment to thank staff and interns for long hours preparing budget materials before the committee recessed.