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An ordinance to amend Chapter 2.147 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws regarding the Nashville Entertainment Commission.
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WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council routinely approves modifications to the Metropolitan Code of Laws for the purpose of strengthening governance; and,
WHEREAS, these modifications frequently address boards and commissions which were created by the Metropolitan Council or which the Metropolitan Council was granted authority to modify; and,
WHEREAS, during this term, the Metropolitan Council has passed at least 16 pieces of legislation establishing or modifying boards and commissions; and,
WHEREAS, the Office of Entertainment’s existing structure limits its opportunity for success due to a lack of administrative or structural support; and,
WHEREAS, the Office of Entertainment is set up not as an office but as a department with an executive director whose time would primarily be used on the administrative duties needed to support their own position; and,
WHEREAS, incubating the Office of Entertainment in the Mayor’s Office in an arrangement similar to the Office of Youth Safety creates an environment with the supports necessary for the Office of Entertainment to thrive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Section 2.147.020 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws is hereby amended, for the purpose of deleting an unreferenced definition, by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
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.
"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.
Section 2. That Subsection 2.147.050(C) of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
C. Consult with the mayor on the hiring of the executive director, who shall serve as the executive director of the commission and of the office of entertainment.
Section 3. That Subsection 2.147.060(A) of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
A. There shall be a Nashville office of entertainment, led by the executive director, to carry out the duties and mission of the commission.
Section 4. That Section 2.147.065 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
2.147.065 - Staffing.
The work of the commission and of the office of entertainment shall be managed by an executive director, who shall be appointed by the mayor in consultation with the commission. The executive director and any staff shall be organized under the mayor's office.
Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance amends Chapter 2.147 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws regarding the Nashville Entertainment Commission (“the Commission”).
The bill would change the organization of the Nashville Entertainment Commission and the selection of its executive director. Current law provides for the Mayor to hire the executive director from a set of candidates recommended by the Commission. The Commission has the explicit duty to select candidates for executive director to be presented to the mayor and may work with the Department of Human Resources to assist with candidate recruitment. The executive director and any staff would be organized with the Commission.
The ordinance would provide for the executive director to be appointed by the Mayor, in consultation with the Commission. The Commission would have the duty to consult with the Mayor about a final selection. The executive director and any additional staff would be organized under the Mayor’s Office instead of the Commission. The bill also removes a definition of "Occupations in the entertainment industry."
Substitute Ordinance No. BL2026-1377, the Chair’s Substitute Operating Budget, allocated $300,000 for “Music and Entertainment Economic Development and Film Initiatives.” The Director of Finance is authorized to allocate and transfer the appropriation once a law that “modifies the organizational placement of the Nashville Office of Entertainment” is enacted.