Tennessee House Bill HB0879

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55 and Title 65, Chapter 15, Part 3, relative to transportation network companies.

Summary

HB0879 creates a new licensing requirement for transportation network drivers operating in Tennessee, which would include ride-hail drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft. Under the bill, a person must obtain a transportation network license from the Department of Commerce and Insurance before accepting or transporting a prearranged ride that originates in Tennessee. In general, the bill requires applicants to hold a valid Tennessee driver license, with a narrow exception allowing residents of DeSoto County, Mississippi, and Crittenden County, Arkansas, to qualify by proving county residency. The license would be valid for one year and renewable online. The department would also be authorized to adopt rules governing suspension or revocation of a license for serious traffic violations, criminal offenses, or other good cause. The bill further prohibits transportation network companies from authorizing unlicensed drivers to take rides originating in Tennessee and imposes a $1,000 civil penalty per violation, with possible suspension or revocation of a company’s authority to operate in the state for repeated willful or wanton violations.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 65, Chapter 15, Part 3, and would add a new regulatory framework for transportation network drivers and companies. It would shift oversight to the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which would be responsible for issuing licenses, setting renewal procedures, and promulgating enforcement rules under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. The measure would also create new compliance obligations and penalties for transportation network companies operating in Tennessee, while leaving intact the ability of rides that begin outside Tennessee to end in the state.

Sentiment

The bill text reflects a strongly supportive view of tighter regulation, emphasizing local economic protection, traffic concerns, and the need for a basic licensing regime. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no additional evidence of debate, amendment, or bipartisan sentiment beyond the bill’s stated purpose. Based on the language of the measure, the overall posture is pro-regulation and favorable to Tennessee-based drivers.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the restriction on out-of-state drivers, since the bill would bar drivers without a Tennessee transportation network license from taking rides that originate in Tennessee. That could affect ride-hail companies, out-of-state drivers, and riders who rely on cross-border service, while benefiting Tennessee-licensed drivers. The bill’s narrow exceptions for certain Mississippi and Arkansas border counties suggest an effort to address regional commuting patterns, but also highlight the unequal treatment of drivers from neighboring states. Another likely issue is enforcement, because the bill gives the department authority to suspend or revoke company operating authority for repeated violations, which could be viewed as a significant regulatory burden.