In the late 1970's, legislative findings indicated the need for a permanent intergovernmental body to study and take action on questions of organizational patterns, powers, functions, and relationships among federal, state, and local governments. In pursuit of this goal, the TACIR was created in 1978 (T.C.A. 4-10-101). The TACIR's enabling act established what has remained the Commission's enduring mission (T.C.A. 4-10-104), to:

Serve as a forum for the discussion and resolution of intergovernmental problems; provide high quality research support to state and local government officials to improve the overall quality of government in Tennessee; and to improve the effectiveness of the intergovernmental system to better serve the citizens of Tennessee.

• Advance discussion and deliberation of critical and sensitive intergovernmental policy matters.
  
• Promote action to resolve intergovernmental problems and improve the quality of government.
  
• Forge common ground between competing but equally legitimate values, goals, and interests.
  
• Provide members of the General Assembly and other policymakers with accurate and timely information and analysis to facilitate reasoned decision making.
  
  

Called a "think tank" or "think-and-do tank" by some, the TACIR provides a future-oriented perspective to public policy and intergovernmental relations, constantly attempting early identification and diagnosis of policy problems that loom on the horizon. To facilitate the achievement of its mission and goals, the TACIR is directed by statute to:

• engage in activities, studies, and investigations necessary for the accomplishment of the Commission's mission and goals;
  
• consider, on its own initiative, ways of fostering better relations among local governments and state government;
  
• draft and disseminate legislative bills, constitutional amendments, and model ordinances necessary to implement the Commission's recommendations;
  
• encourage and, where appropriate, coordinate studies relating to intergovernmental relations conducted by universities, state, local, and federal agencies, and research and consulting organizations;
  
• review the recommendations of national commissions studying federal, state, and local government relations and problems and assess their possible application to Tennessee;
  
• study the fiscal relationships between the federal government and Tennessee's state and local governments; and
  
• study tax equivalent payments by municipally-owned electric operations to the various taxing jurisdictions within the state; and study laws relating to the assessment and taxation of property (summarized from T.C.A. 4-10-104).

Additionally, the Commission is directed by statute to hold four meetings per year and issue reports of its research and findings. Commission meetings, with invited guests and experts, and lively and thoughtful debate, form the core around which virtually all Commission activities are centered.

Given such a broad task environment, the Commission adopts an annual work plan to guide its meetings and research. The work plan is designed to ensure the completion of objectives set forth in the Commission's enabling act, as well as the achievement of the mission and goals. However, federal, state, or local exigencies often direct the attention of the Commission to critical policy matters not originally included in the work program.

The TACIR has demonstrated a remarkable continuity from year-to-year with
respect to the intergovernmental policy matters it has considered. While TACIR’s latest publications can be viewed and printed via the TACIR Publications Page, the major focus of TACIR’s research in recent years is summarized in the chart below.

The parallels between the years are in no way coincidental. The complexity of issues before the TACIR, and the diversity of perspectives with respect to these issues, necessitates extensive study and deliberation. Furthermore, when recommendations are adopted, it may take years to build sufficient consensus to pass legislation resolving the problem.

In general, the TACIR demonstrates tremendous continuity; yet federal,
state, or local exigencies often direct the attention of the Commission to critical policy matters not originally included in the work program. The Commission discusses current and new matters during its four annual meetings, and alters the work program and research efforts accordingly. New policy matters that capture the attention of the Commission have varying origins. New issues are sometimes generated internally through the initiative of members, yet at other times issues are generated externally. External factors include citizen concern, intergovernmental conflict, and state or local agency requests; but most often new matters are placed before the Commission by the General Assembly. Legislative requests typically come in the form of a directive that TACIR study a particular policy matter.