The Lake City Council votes 4-0 in November to change the town’s name to Rocky Top, and Rep. John Ragan said he has draft legislation to approve the name change to introduce in the state legislature.
Information from WYSH Radio
A legislative proposal that would allow Lake City to officially change its name to Rocky Top will soon be debated by the Tennessee House of Representatives.
On Thursday, the House Calendar and Rules Committee voted to put the plan, also known as HB 1469, on the House’s agenda for Monday, March 31.
This comes after The House of Bryant Publications filed a lawsuit against the city to stop the name change. The House of Bryant owns the trademark to the song “Rocky Top.”
But the bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, told 10News he checked with legal experts who said the state would not be at risk of being sued if they approved the change. In November, city council members voted to change the town’s name to try and convince developers to create a “Rocky Top” theme park. However, the legislature must give approval before the change occurs.
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