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File #: BL2025-818   
Type: Bill (Ordinance) Status: Second Reading
File created: 4/29/2025 In control: Metropolitan Council
On agenda: 5/20/2025 Final action:
Title: An ordinance to amend Chapter 2.147 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws regarding the Nashville Music, Entertainment, and Film Commission.
Sponsors: Joy Styles, Sandra Sepulveda, Ginny Welsch, Jennifer Webb, Erin Evans

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An ordinance to amend Chapter 2.147 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws regarding the Nashville Music, Entertainment, and Film Commission.

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WHEREAS, the Office of Music, Film and Entertainment was created in 2022, and the Music, Film and Entertainment Commission was created in 2023 to address the growing creative needs in Davidson County; and

WHEREAS, updates have been required to streamline the processes and the efficacy of both entities to maintain future consistency for the office and personnel.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Chapter 2.147 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws is hereby amended by deleting the section in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

Chapter 2.147 - NASHVILLE ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION

2.147.010 - Established.

There is hereby established a commission to be known as the "Nashville Entertainment Commission," referred to in this chapter as "commission."

2.147.020 - Definitions.

"Entertainment industry" is defined as commercial activity that involves the production and sale of entertainment, including the music industry, film and television industry, theatre industry, fashion industry, video game industry, and all other creative industries.

“Occupations in the entertainment industry” include, but are not limited to, musicians, recording artists, songwriters, composers, music producers, record label executives, recording studio owners, recording engineers, music venue owners, performing rights organizations, actors, stunt performers, intimacy coordinator, film/television studio executives, screenwriters, directors, casting agents, film/television producers, crew members, editors, location scouts, videographers, voiceover artists, digital designers, grips, stagehands, film/television marketing professionals, entertainment related bankers, managers, publicists, stylists, theatre companies, fashion design/promotion, playwrights, theater directors, film/television/digital gaming composers, graphic software architects and other occupations not listed herein.

"Film and television industry" is defined as commercial activity that involves the production, distribution, and sale of entertainment, whether in film, television, digital streaming content, virtual/augmented reality, or within the metaverse/omniverse.

"Music industry" is defined as commercial activity that involves concerts, festivals, tours, clubs and any other performance, production, promotion, distribution, or sale of recorded or live music.

2.147.030 - Composition, membership, and term of office.

A.                     The commission shall be composed of three councils, to be known as Music Advisory Council, the Film and Television Advisory Council, and the Entertainment Accountability Council. The Music Advisory Council shall be focused on the music industry, the Film and Television Advisory Council shall be focused on the film and television industry, and the Entertainment Accountability Council shall be focused, on ensuring a balance of perspectives, backgrounds, and experience in the entertainment industry.

B.                     The commission shall be composed of fifteen members. Four members shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. Three members shall be selected by the council from nominations submitted by council members. Four members shall be selected by the council from nominations submitted from the entertainment industry at large. One member shall be selected by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) from its membership and confirmed by the council. One member shall be selected by the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) from its membership and confirmed by the council. One member shall be selected by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) from its membership and confirmed by the council. One member shall be selected by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) from its membership and confirmed by the council. The executive director of the Metropolitan Arts Commission, the director of visual and performing arts for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, a representative of the Nashville Education, Community, and Arts Television Corporation, and a representative of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation shall serve as ex officio, non-voting members and shall not be counted in determining a quorum.

C.                     Members of the commission shall serve without compensation.

D.                     Commission members shall serve staggered four-year terms. Of the initial members appointed, the members selected by the council from nominations submitted by the council shall be appointed for one year, the members appointed by the mayor and NSAI shall be appointed for two years, the members appointed by AFM, SAG-AFTRA, and IATSE shall be appointed for three years, and the members selected by the council from nominations submitted by the entertainment industry at large shall be appointed for four years.

2.147.040 - Mission of the commission.

The mission of the commission shall be to create policies to:

A.                     Promote the entertainment industry in Nashville and Davidson County and recruit projects and employment related to the entertainment industry.

B.                     Promote to the fullest extent allowed by law the success of all individuals, regardless of personal characteristics and life experience, within the entertainment industry.

C.                     Work to address quality of life issues facing individuals in the entertainment industry in Nashville and Davidson County.

D.                     Support small and independent businesses within the entertainment industry in Nashville and Davidson County.

E.                     Promote education initiatives and programming related to the entertainment industry.

F.                     Work with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission to achieve this mission.

2.147.050 Duties.

To carry out the commission's purposes, the commission shall have authority to:

A.                     Elect a chair and other officers as necessary to carry out the functions and duties of the commission.

B.                     Promulgate and maintain regulations and bylaws for the commission.

C.                     Select candidates for executive director to be presented to the mayor, pursuant to section 2.147.065. The commission may utilize the services of the                      department of human resources to assist in the recruitment of candidates.

D.                     Promote, market, and support the Nashville office of entertainment.

E.                     Meet no less than once per quarter. The Music Advisory Council, Film and Television Advisory Council, and Entertainment Accountability Council shall meet on an as needed basis, at the discretion of the chair of the commission.

F.                     To consult with experts in the fields of music, film, and entertainment industries as necessary to assist in the discharge of its duties.

G.                     Establish advisory committees, as needed, to address other creative industries and issues facing the entertainment industry. No more than three advisory committees may be created each year. The term of an advisory committee may last no more than one year, unless extended for an additional year by the commission. Each advisory committee shall have no more than seven members, one of whom must be a commissioner. The advisory committee must present a report to the commission regarding its recommendations or the status of its recommendations once a quarter. The advisory committee members must be residents of Davidson County and are subject to sections 2.222.010 and 2.222.020 of this code.

2.147.060 - Nashville office of entertainment.

A.                     There shall be a Nashville office of entertainment, led by the executive director, to carry out the duties and mission of the commission. The work of the executive director and any staff shall be directed by the commission.

B.                     Among other duties as directed by the commission, the executive director and staff shall be responsible for:

i.                     Assisting the entertainment industry with securing necessary permitting.

ii.                     Building relationships for community engagement.

iii.                     Assisting with location scouting.

iv.                     Establishment of relationships with Metropolitan Nashville departments and non-governmental partners.

v.                     Any additional actions necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities established by this chapter.

2.147.065 Staffing.

A.                     The work of the commission and of the Nashville office of entertainment shall be managed by the executive director, who shall be appointed by the mayor from candidates selected by the commission.

B.                     The executive director may be removed by the mayor only after consultation with the chair of the commission or another member of the commission chosen by the commission specifically for this consultation purpose.

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.