NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A controversial bill that would have renamed the Nashville airport after President Donald Trump is not being considered, at least for now.
HB 217 — heralded by Rep. Todd Warner — got taken off notice early in the legislative process in the Name and Designating Committee. It would have cost taxpayers $10 million to rename Nashville International Airport after the president. Costs include re-branding efforts, changing airport logos around the property and adjusting interstate signage. A vast majority of that money would be the responsibility of Metro's Airport Board and could have been passed along to Nashville and Tennessee taxpayers.
Another House bill, that appeared to be in response to Rep. Warner's efforts, was also taken off notice by Rep. Kevin Raper. His bill, sponsored by Sen. Todd Gardenhire in the Tennessee Senate — HB 434/SB 214 — would have prevented any public property in the state from being renamed for a public official who was a convicted felon or still currently in office. Instead, the bill would have required that any property be renamed for that person after being out of office for two years. The Senate version of the bill was not taken off notice. In fact, on the same day, it passed unanimously in the Tennessee Senate. It would have to be passed by the Tennessee House and signed by the Governor to become law.
Rep. Warner said he took the bill off notice because he wanted to dig more into why the costs would be so high.
"I think he’s the second president since maybe Grover Cleveland back in the 1880s, to serve non-concurring terms," Warner said. "I want to dig a little bit more into that and understand why it’s such a big fiscal note on it. Absolutely, I’m not done with it."
Tensions are already fraught with Tennessee lawmakers and the Metro Nashville government over the airport. In November, the Tennessee Court of Appeals heard the state argue back over who has leadership over the airport. Back in 2023, Nashville took the state to court about the airport authority after the legislature made a law to dissolve Metro Nashville's power over the board.
However, Nashville sued and the court reinstated the previous board. The state appealed that decision soon after.
It's not clear when the Tennessee Court of Appeals will make its opinion from the appeal by the state.
Statement from the airport
The Nashville International Airport is a globally recognized brand with a reputation that extends across the world. Our airport’s brand and continued success have earned us a place among the fastest-growing airports, attracting significant increases in both domestic and international air service. We have a bright future as the Nashville International Airport, and we remain focused on providing exceptional travel experiences for our community and our passengers.
Nashville's airport already has a namesake
The "B" in BNA stands for Col. Harry S. Berry, a veteran of the first World War, a driving force behind Nashville getting an airport and he also served as the institution's first administrator. Before BNA reached international airport status, it was simply called "Berry Field."
Another effort to create a Trump International Airport
Meanwhile, in Congress, there's an effort to rename Dulles International Airport, located just outside of Washington D.C., after the 45th and 47th President. According to Congress's website, the bill has been introduced but has not advanced through the committee process just yet.
Rep. Warner seemed to think the Dulles effort didn't run afoul with what he wanted to do. "I’d like to see an airport named after him in every state," said Rep. Warner.
However, the Federal Aviation Administration would likely block an effort to have multiple similarly named airports to avoid any confusion in the skies.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email us at emily.west@newschannel5.com or chris.davis@newschannel5.com.
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