Tennessee Appeals Court Upholds Nashville Council Size Reduction Law

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee appeals court upheld the constitutionality of a law passed by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature to reduce the size of Nashville’s council from 40 to 20 members. The 2023 law, targeting Nashville after its council rejected hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention, was challenged as unconstitutional. Nashville argued that a provision of the Tennessee Constitution exempts consolidated city-county governments from a 25-member limit and that the law violates the Home Rule Amendment. The court ruled 2-1 that the General Assembly can impose its own limits on metropolitan councils. Dissenting Judge Kenny Armstrong argued that the law misinterprets the exemption, stating it precludes limiting membership to fewer than 25. Nashville has successfully challenged other state laws targeting the city, but the council size reduction law now stands. Republican House Majority Leader William Lamberth praised the ruling, while Nashville Vice Mayor Angie E. Henderson criticized it for disregarding voter intent.