Bill to rename Nashville airport after Donald Trump stalls over $10.3M cost projection
Bill sponsor Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, says he has questions about how the cost estimates were made and will bring the bill back.
State fiscal analysts have estimated the name change could cost BNA more than $10 million.
Legislation seeking to rename Nashville International Airport after President Donald Trump stalled Monday afternoon after state fiscal analysts estimated the change could cost the airport $10.3 million.
But it's not dead yet.
Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, took House Bill 217 off notice on Monday afternoon, typically a sign that the legislation won't move forward.
But — with questions over how the cost estimates were made — Warner is pledging to try again.
'More than likely, I'll bring it back,' Warner told The Tennessean, adding that he plans to meet with fiscal analysts this week to seek an update to the fiscal note.
House Bill 217 would require the Metro Nashville Airport Authority to surrender the existing BNA trademark, and erect appropriate signs and markers re-designating the facility as 'Trump International Airport' by January 2026.
According to estimates provided to the state by the airport authority, renaming and rebranding the airport would cost $10,340,000 — with $3.59 million going toward new signage.
More:How much would it cost to rename Nashville International Airport after Trump? BNA answers
The airport has recently updated some signage at the 4,500-acre property, including a 40-foot-tall BNA monument, as part of existing renovation and expansion projects.
Warner argued that the state gives the airport millions of dollars each year, while the city's contribution is comparatively small, so the state should have a say in what the airport is named.
'President Trump is the second president elected to two nonconcurrent terms, and his America First agenda also puts Tennessee first,' Warner told The Tennessean. 'I think it would be a great tribute to a great president.'
Vivian Jones covers state politics and government for The Tennessean. Reach her atvjones@tennessean.com.
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