Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 4; Title 4, Chapter 11; Title 4, Chapter 12 and Title 4, Chapter 13.

This bill adds to the heritage protection provisions of present law that a state or local governmental entity, or other political subdivision of this state, exercising control of public property, is subject to a fine of $10,000 for each day that one or more violations listed below continues and until the governmental entity or political subdivision has taken full restorative action to comply with this bill, including the return of each protected memorial to its original location and condition. This bill prohibits a state or local governmental entity, or other political subdivision of this state, exercising control of public property, from:<br /> <br /> (1) Renaming a memorial, including a public building named after a historic figure, entity, or event;<br /> <br /> (2) Relocating, removing, altering, obscuring from view, renaming, dishonoring, disparaging, or reinterpreting with competing signage, wording symbols, objects, or other types of means of communication a memorial; or<br /> <br /> (3) Disturbing a memorial located on public property or knowingly allowing an individual or entity to do so. <br /> <br /> Fines assessed under this bill must be promptly collected by the attorney general, forwarded to the state treasurer, and deposited into the Tennessee historic preservation fund. This bill creates that fund, as a separate fund in the general fund, and requires that the fund be used for the preservation, repair, refurbishment, and conservation of memorials. If the attorney general is unable to promptly collect a fine, the attorney general will file suit to collect the fine. In addition to collecting fines and initiating lawsuits, this bill requires the attorney general to seek all remedies to preserve memorials protected under the heritage protection provisions, and to restore such memorials to their original name, location, and condition in coordination with the commission.<br />