Several amendments to the Tennessee Constitution were approved in 1978; among them was an amendment restructuring the basic framework of county government. Article VII, Section 1 of the Tennessee Constitution now provides counties with the following constitutional officers: county executive, sheriff, trustee, register, county clerk, and assessor of property. This Section also requires the election of a legislative body of not more than 25 members, with no more than three members to be elected from a single district. The General Assembly sets the qualifications and duties of these offices.
Before the 1978 constitutional changes, county government had been difficult to divide into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. With the creation of the office of county executive and of the county legislative body, along with several judicial interpretations of the powers and duties of each, county government is now more clearly divided into three branches, even though the county executive must share executive powers with other constitutional officers. The legislature is afforded wide latitude in determining the duties that may be assigned to the various constitutional officers. Metropolitan Government v. Poe, 383 S.W.2d 265 (Tenn. 1964).
Article VII, Section 1, also provides that the General Assembly "may provide alternate forms of county governments including the right to charter and the manner by which a referendum may be called." The Tennessee Supreme Court has stated that when the General Assembly authorizes any deviation from the government provided for in this article, such action must be ratified by the people in a referendum called for that purpose. State ex rel. Maner v. Leach, 588 S.W.2d 534 (Tenn. 1979). Other than the county charter (T.C.A. §§ 5-1-201 through 5-1-214), no additional alternatives are now offered by the General Assembly except for the metropolitan and unification forms of government which were provided for in an earlier constitutional amendment and implementing legislation. Tenn. Const., art. XI, § 9; T.C.A. §§ 7-1-101 through 7-3-313, 7-21-101 through 7-21-408.
FAQs
SECTION 1. (a) The civil service includes every officer and employee of the State except as otherwise provided in this Constitution. (b) In the civil service permanent appointment and promotion shall be made under a general system based on merit ascertained by competitive examination.
What is Article VII concerned with what is its function? ›
Article VII declares that the Constitution becomes the official law of the land when ratified by nine states.
What is the Article 7 of the Constitution of Tennessee? ›
Section 1. The qualified voters of each county shall elect for terms of four years a legislative body, a county executive, a sheriff, a trustee, a register, a county clerk and an assessor of property. Their qualifications and duties shall be prescribed by the General Assembly.
What is the Article 1 Section 7 clause? ›
Section 7: Legislative Process
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
What subject is covered in Article VII of the Constitution? ›
Article VII – Ratification.
This article details all those people who signed the Constitution, representing the original 13 states.
What does Article 1 Section 1 all legislative powers? ›
Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
What does Article 7 indicate? ›
Article 7 of Indian Constitution primarily enables individuals who migrated from Pakistan before July 19, 1948, to acquire Indian citizenship. This provision allows them to enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other Indian citizen, thereby integrating them fully into the nation.
What information is in Article 7? ›
Notwithstanding anything in articles 5 and 6, a person who has after the first day of March, 1947, migrated from the territory of India to the territory now included in Pakistan shall not be deemed to be a citizen of India:Provided that nothing in this article shall apply to a person who, after having so migrated to ...
What type of government do citizens rule through their elected representatives? ›
The United States is a representative democracy. This means that our government is elected by citizens. Here, citizens vote for their government officials.
How is Article 7 of the Constitution used today? ›
Article Seven of the United States Constitution sets the number of state ratifications necessary for the Constitution to take effect and prescribes the method through which the states may ratify it.
There are three officers in the State commonly known as Constitutional Officers: the Secretary of State, the Comptroller, and the Treasurer.
What Rights are protected by the Tennessee Constitution? ›
universal suffrage,8 the protection of debtors,9 prisoners,10 free movement upon the Mississippi River,11 the prohibition of martial law,12 and even the right to abolish the state government.
What does Article 7 say in simple terms? ›
Text of Article 7 of the Constitution
This clause says the following: ” The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.”
What is section 7? ›
A section 7 report is a type of report that. the court can order when it needs more. information about your child's welfare. and what action is in their best interests.
What powers are denied to states under the Constitution? ›
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title ...
What does article 1 section 7 of the Constitution explain in Quizlet? ›
Article 1: Section 7. details how bills become law. First, any bill for raising money (such as by taxes or fees) must start out in the House. All bills must pass both houses of Congress in the exact same form. Bills that pass both houses are sent to the President.
What does article 1 section 7 of the Constitution explain brainly? ›
Explanation: Article One, Section 7 ensures that bills related to raising revenue originate in the House of Representatives, allows the Senate to propose amendments, and requires presidential approval or potential veto override for a bill to become law.
Why does article 1 section 7 of the US Constitution require that tax bills? ›
Final answer: Article I, Section 7, also known as the Origination Clause of the U.S. Constitution, stipulates that all tax bills originate in the House of Representatives. This is because the House is the representative body of the people, and the clause ensures that the citizenry's consent is necessary for taxation.
What does Article v11 of the Constitution describe? ›
Article VII of the Constitution outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution. It stipulates that the Constitution would become effective once it was ratified by conventions in nine out of the thirteen states.
