NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — An effort to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) for President Donald Trump is dead for Tennessee’s legislative session.
The bill, brought by Chapel Hill Republican Rep. Todd Warner, was “taken off notice,” according to the capitol website. It was previously set for discussion in the Naming & Designating Committee on Monday, Feb. 24.
Warner told NewsNation affiliate WKRN in a statement previously he felt having the airport named for the president was a “wonderful way” to honor the man who became the second person in American history to win nonconsecutive terms as president.
The practicality of the move was also an area of concern, considering previous litigation over the regulatory authority over the airport.
In 2023, lawmakers passed a law replacing the mayor-appointed airport authority with a new board to be appointed by state leaders. The city sued the state over the law shortly after is passed, claiming it violated the Home Rule amendment of the state constitution because it only affected Nashville. A three-judge panel sided with the city and struck down the law, but the state is trying to appeal the ruling to regain control over the airport.
According to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority, the associated costs for the potential rename are estimated to be $10.34 million, including infrastructure and signage, branding, trademarking and legal, and administrative or operations costs.
Additionally, the letter stated the estimate did not include “potential legal costs regarding legal obstacles from prior rights holders or objections from [the United States Patent and Trademark Office]; potential monetary payment to obtain consent agreement from living individual or prior rights holders; and state/federal costs related to signage/markers.”
When bills are taken off notice in the general assembly, it means they are no longer being considered and will no longer move forward on Capitol Hill.
Technically, bills that are taken off notice can be put back on, but that move is rare.
