Tennessee House Bill HB0978

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Refer: 3/10/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 69, relative to utilities.

Summary

HB0978 requires utilities to make a policy they already establish under Tennessee Code Annotated § 65-32-104 publicly available on the utility’s website. The bill does not create a new policy requirement; instead, it adds a transparency and public-access requirement by directing utilities to publish the existing policy in a publicly accessible online location. The measure applies to utilities governed by the referenced statute in Title 65 and would take effect July 1, 2025. In practical terms, it would amend Tennessee law to require online disclosure of utility policies, making them easier for customers, regulators, and the public to review without requesting them directly from the utility.

Impact

HB0978 would amend Tennessee Code Annotated § 65-32-104 by adding a new subsection requiring utilities to post the policy established under that section on their websites. This changes the legal obligations of covered utilities by adding a publication requirement, but it does not alter the substance of the underlying policy itself. The bill’s effect is primarily on utility disclosure practices and public access to information, rather than on rates, service standards, or regulatory authority.

Sentiment

There is no recorded committee discussion or vote history in the provided materials, so no direct support or opposition can be identified from the legislative record here. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be a straightforward transparency measure with a limited administrative burden, which often draws neutral to favorable treatment. However, because no transcripts or votes are available, the overall sentiment cannot be assessed beyond that inference.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided context. If concerns were raised, they would likely center on the administrative burden of maintaining website postings, compliance costs for smaller utilities, or whether the existing policy is already sufficiently accessible through other means. No legislator, committee member, or stakeholder positions are available in the supplied record.