On April 15, 1949, Governor Gordon Browning signed Senate Bill 607 and legally established the Municipal Technical Advisory Service. The bill also enumerated the specific duties and goals of the organization: “It shall be used for studies and research in municipal government, publications, education conference and attendance thereat and in furnishing technical, consultative and field services to municipalities in problems relating to fiscal administration, accounting, tax assessment and collection, law enforcement, improvements and public works, and in any and all matters relating to municipal government.” Gerald Shaw was the first executive director. MTAS operates in conjunction with the Tennessee Municipal League and is a component of the Institute for Public Service.