Tennessee House Bill HB0701

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 65, Chapter 1 and Title 65, Chapter 5, relative to utilities.

Summary

HB0701 is a narrow utility-related bill that amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 65, Chapter 5 by deleting subsection (q) from Section 65-5-109. The bill does not add new regulatory language or create a new program; instead, it removes an existing provision from the utility code. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law, citing the public welfare as the reason for immediate effectiveness. Because the bill text only specifies the deletion of one subsection, its practical effect depends on the content of the removed subsection (q). In general, the measure would alter the legal framework governing utilities in Tennessee by eliminating that particular statutory requirement, restriction, or exception from the state’s utility law. The bill amends existing law rather than creating a standalone policy, so its impact is limited to the affected section of the Tennessee Code.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 65-5-109, by striking subsection (q), thereby changing the operative utility statute in Title 65. This would remove whatever rule, exemption, or administrative provision was contained in that subsection from state law and leave the remainder of the section intact. No other statutes are expressly amended, and no new duties, penalties, or regulatory programs are created in the bill text.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes are available, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the provided materials. Based on the bill’s short, technical nature and the absence of recorded controversy, it appears to be a routine statutory cleanup or targeted policy adjustment within the utilities code. The immediate-effective-date language suggests the sponsor viewed the change as important enough to take effect without delay.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the substance of the deleted subsection (q), which is not included in the excerpt. Any disagreement would likely center on whether removing that provision weakens consumer protections, changes utility regulation, or eliminates an outdated requirement. Without transcripts or votes, it is not possible to identify specific legislators, agencies, utilities, or consumer groups that supported or opposed the measure.