Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateTennesseeIntroduced
HB 519: State Government - As enacted, terminates the James K. Polk Memorial Association and requires the Tennessee historical commission to enter into good faith negotiations for the purchase and transfer of the James K. Polk Home in Columbia. - Amends TCA Title 4.
Scott Cepicky
HB 519 status: Introduced — Comp. became Pub. Ch. 1054 (updated May 27, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
47OUT OF 100
Score:47/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 40/100
Constitutionality95%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion50%
Bill summary
What changes
The James K. Polk Memorial Association is terminated, and management of the James K. Polk Home in Columbia is transferred to the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Who is affected
The existing staff and board of the James K. Polk Memorial Association, the Tennessee Historical Commission, and the Columbia local community.
Requirements and enforcement
The state must enter into good-faith negotiations to purchase the property.
Costs and funding
Requires state funds for the purchase, though the specific amount is not provided.
When it takes effect
Legislative action enacted as Public Chapter 1054.
Potential benefits
Provides state oversight and potentially more stable institutional support for a historical property.
Risks and tradeoffs
Termination of a private management entity, loss of community autonomy, and potential for administrative cost increases.
What is still unknown
The final sale price, the future of the association’s current employees, and the impact on local programming.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Critical outlook
40%
Benefits
- State direct management could stabilize long-term funding for the site.
- Streamlines management under the Tennessee Historical Commission.
- Ensures long-term preservation of historical assets via state ownership.
Risks
- Termination of a long-standing non-profit entity removes private stewardship.
- Potential for increased state budget reliance for maintenance costs.
- Transition risks during the transfer of ownership to the state.
Society
Mixed / Neutral
50%
Benefits
- Centralizes management for consistent visitor experience standards.
- Historical site becomes part of state-wide heritage portfolio.
- Potential for improved public access through state administrative support.
Risks
- Loss of community-based management autonomy for a local landmark.
- Possible shift in interpretation focus under centralized state control.
- Reduced role for local volunteers and stakeholders in governance.
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
Mixed / Neutral
50%
Benefits
- Increases executive branch oversight of a significant public asset.
- Ensures state accountability for the condition of the home.
- Establishes a direct reporting line to the Historical Commission.
Risks
- Reduces local community oversight of historical management.
- Diminished autonomy for the site compared to independent association.
- Potential for political influence over historical site operations.
Public Health & Safety
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
The termination of the existing association may lead to a loss of institutional knowledge.
Analysis scope
Source provided is a brief summary, not full legislative text.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
How it affects your district
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06
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