Tennessee Code Title 7. Consolidated Governments and Local Governmental Functions and Entities § 7-59-313

(a) For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(b) A minority-owned business participation plan shall strive to maximize participation of minority-owned businesses through both prime and second tier business contracting opportunities and shall strive to achieve a level of minority-owned business participation representative of the population demographics of this state.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, a state-issued certificate of franchise authority shall not be issued by the department to any applicant that fails to include a minority-owned business participation plan in the applicant's application. The department shall review each application to confirm that the minority-owned business participation plan includes all information required pursuant to this section.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, the department shall annually review each holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority to determine compliance with the holder's minority-owned business participation plan. In conjunction with the review, by January 31 of each year, each holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority shall prepare and submit an annual report to the department concerning the holder's minority-owned business participation plan and compliance with the plan. The department shall annually prepare a compliance report to be delivered to the governor and the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives. The compliance report shall also be posted on the web site of the department.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority determined by the department not to be in compliance with the holder's minority business participation plan shall be found in violation of this section and shall be subject to § 7-59-312(d)(2).