Tennessee House Bill HB0396

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25
• Refer: 2/5/25
• Failed: 2/19/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 3, relative to housing.

Summary

HB0396 amends Tennessee housing law in Title 13, Chapter 3 by changing a duration requirement in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 13-3-603(f). The bill replaces the phrase “in perpetuity” with “for at least thirty (30) years,” shortening the required length of the housing-related condition or restriction addressed in that statute. In practical terms, the bill would make the affected housing provision time-limited rather than permanent. It would alter the legal treatment of the underlying housing arrangement, likely affecting property owners, developers, local governments, and any entities relying on the current perpetual requirement.

Impact

The bill would amend a specific provision of Tennessee’s housing statutes by reducing a perpetual obligation or restriction to a minimum 30-year term. This changes state law from an indefinite requirement to one with a defined expiration period, which could affect how housing projects are structured, financed, or regulated under Section 13-3-603(f).

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests limited support for the bill at the subcommittee level, where it failed on a 2-5 vote in the House Cities & Counties Subcommittee of the State & Local Government Committee. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded debate to indicate broader support or opposition beyond the vote itself.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be whether the housing-related requirement should remain permanent or be limited to a 30-year period. Opponents likely viewed the change as weakening a long-term housing protection or obligation, while supporters likely favored a more flexible, finite term. The recorded vote indicates the proposal did not gain enough support in subcommittee.