(a) The general assembly finds that:

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 54-6-103

  • Qualifying transportation facility: means one (1) or more transportation facilities developed, redeveloped, or operated by a private entity pursuant to this chapter. See Tennessee Code 54-6-102
  • redevelopment: means the process of replanning, reconstructing, or redesigning a transportation facility, including acquisition, clearance, development, or disposal, or any combination of these activities, of a transportation facility. See Tennessee Code 54-6-102
  • Responsible public entity: means a public entity that has the power to develop, redevelop, or operate the applicable transportation facility. See Tennessee Code 54-6-102
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Transportation facility: means any mass transit system intended for shared passenger transport services to the general public, together with any building, structure, appurtenance, utility, transport support facility, transport vehicles, service vehicles, parking facility, or any other facility, structure, vehicle or property needed to operate the transportation facility or provide connectivity for the transportation facility to any other non-mass transit system transportation infrastructure including, but not limited to, interstates, highways, roads, streets, alleys, and sidewalks. See Tennessee Code 54-6-102
(1) There is a public need for timely development, redevelopment, and operation of transportation facilities within this state;
(2) Such public need may not be wholly satisfied by existing ways in which transportation facilities are developed, redeveloped, or operated; and
(3) Authorizing private entities to develop, redevelop, and operate one (1) or more transportation facilities may result in the development, redevelopment, and operation of transportation facilities in a more timely or less costly fashion, which serves the public safety and welfare.
(b) An action, other than the approval of the responsible public entity under § 54-6-105, shall serve the public purpose of this chapter if the action facilitates the timely development, redevelopment, or operation of a qualifying transportation facility or the continued development, redevelopment, or operation of a qualifying transportation facility.
(c) Investment in this state by private entities that facilitates the development, redevelopment, and operation of transportation facilities is encouraged. Transportation financing shall be expanded and accelerated to improve and add to the convenience of the public, in such a manner that public and private entities shall have the greatest possible flexibility in contracting with each other for the provision of the public services that are the subject of this chapter.
(d) This chapter shall be liberally construed in conformity with the purposes of this chapter.
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