Tennessee House Bill HB0801

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Refer: 3/12/25
• Refer: 3/19/25
• Engrossed: 3/24/25
• Enrolled: 3/25/25
• Passed: 4/3/25
• Chaptered: 4/8/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 120, relative to standards for roofs.

Summary

HB0801 amends Tennessee’s building code provisions in Title 68, Chapter 120 to create an exception for certain roof standards. Specifically, it provides that the roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance requirements in the International Energy Conservation Code for low-sloped roofs do not apply to Tennessee’s 2021 International Code Council adoption. In practical terms, the bill removes those energy-performance requirements from the state’s adopted code for the affected roof type. The bill also authorizes the state fire marshal to adopt rules to carry out the act under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. The measure takes effect immediately for rulemaking purposes and for all other purposes on July 1, 2025. As enacted, it changes how Tennessee will apply energy code standards to low-sloped roofs in future code enforcement and permitting decisions.

Impact

The bill narrows the application of Tennessee’s adopted energy code by exempting low-sloped roofs from the roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance requirements tied to the 2021 International Code Council adoption. This affects builders, designers, code officials, and property owners involved in roofing projects subject to state building code enforcement. It also gives the state fire marshal authority to promulgate implementing rules, which may further define how the exemption is applied in practice.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been generally well received in the legislative process. It advanced unanimously through the House Cities & Counties Subcommittee and the House State & Local Government Committee, and it passed the House floor by a wide margin. The final floor vote of 81-10 indicates substantial support overall, though not complete unanimity.

Contention

The main point of contention is the policy choice to waive energy-code requirements for low-sloped roofs. Supporters likely viewed the change as a practical adjustment to Tennessee’s code adoption, while opponents may have been concerned about weakening energy efficiency standards, reducing reflectivity requirements, or limiting long-term building performance benefits. The recorded floor opposition suggests some members objected to the exemption, even though the bill moved forward comfortably.