Tennessee Code Title 4. State Government § 4-3-2312

(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner of transportation may enter into a negotiated contract or contracts with a bank, investment bank or other similar financial institution for the purpose of stabilizing the net expense of the department of transportation in the purchase of gasoline, diesel, or other fuels for the department's own use.

(b) The contracts entered into under this section may include, without limitation, financial instruments commonly referred to as hedges, futures, options, swap transactions, or any similar financial instrument for cost stabilization. The contracts authorized herein shall not be deemed contracts for services subject to former § 12-4-109.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the contracts authorized in this section may be procured in such manner pursuant to policy and executed in such form, all as approved by the state chief procurement officer, with the approval of the state funding board. Such policy shall provide, at a minimum, that the initial selection of financial institutions for the purpose of entering into such contracts shall be conducted by a public solicitation and request for qualifications, including credit worthiness and other factors as determined by the state chief procurement officer, with the approval of the state funding board.

(d) When entering into any contract authorized under this section, the written contract shall provide that the rights and remedies of the parties thereto shall be governed by the laws of this state or the laws of such other state or nation as may bear a reasonable relationship to the transaction; provided, however, that any suit, action, or proceeding at law or in equity against this state shall be brought solely in any court of competent jurisdiction in Davidson County.

(e) The authority granted under this section is in addition to, and supplemental to, any existing authority granted under any other law but shall expire on June 30, 2016.