The Mayor’s office, in cooperation with Nashville Downtown Partnership, has worked with state legislators to file a bill providing cities and municipalities statewide with reasonable regulatory authority related to the ‘transpotainment’ industry. Examples include tractor-pulled hot tubs, repurposed fire trucks, and similar slow-moving vehicles.
“We want to ensure that everyone who visits Music City has a great time,” said Mayor Cooper. “However, the complete lack of local control over these entertainment vehicles in one of our busiest neighborhoods has created safety concerns and tremendous headaches for both downtown brick-and-mortar businesses, residents, and local commuters. By working with the state, we hope to ensure that downtown Nashville remains a fun, world-class tourist destination while implementing commonsense policies that prevent traffic jams and disturbances to local residents and businesses.”
Tennessee municipalities currently have no authority to regulate slow-moving vehicles. SB2513, sponsored by Sen. Steve Dickerson, adds ‘transpotainment’ to the list of passenger transportation service vehicles for which municipalities are empowered to regulate, including: safety policies for both participants and residents; the presence of industry vehicles on local roads during peak commute times; and preventing local business disturbance by loud music during normal hours of operation.
“These vehicles initially added to the character and fun of the city, but with our rapid growth has come the unintended consequences of growing pains,” said Butch Spyridon, president/CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “While no one intends to eliminate this aspect of our entertainment, we need to make sure that downtown remains a great place to live and work, as well as visit.”
“The proposed legislation allows Nashville the opportunity to create reasonable policies to improve safety, mobility and quality of life,” said Tom Turner, president/CEO of Nashville Downtown Partnership. “This will provide a healthier balance for those that live, work and play in downtown Nashville and ensure a more robust and sustainable center city.”
SB2513 was introduced on February 5, 2020 and has been referred to the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee. HB2381, sponsored by Rep. Patsy Hazlewood, was cross filed on February 2, 2020 and has been referred to the Safety & Funding Subcommittee.
