Tennessee House Bill HB1912

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/26
• Refer: 2/4/26
• Refer: 3/3/26
• Refer: 3/10/26
• Chaptered: 4/23/26
• Passed: 4/23/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3; Title 12 and Title 54, relative to roadside facilities for motorists.

Summary

HB1912 requires the Tennessee Department of Transportation to add signage or markers for rest areas and welcome centers that have adult-sized changing tables. The bill defines an adult-sized changing table as a powered, height-adjustable platform located in a single-occupancy family restroom. When the department is already replacing or modifying existing signs, it must install or incorporate symbols or language indicating the availability of these facilities on nearby interstate and state highway signage. The bill also allows TDOT to consult with the Department of Tourist Development on the design, manufacture, installation, and placement of the signs. Any signs or symbols used must comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Tennessee’s supplemental guidelines. In addition, TDOT must publish the locations of rest areas and welcome centers with adult-sized changing tables on its website.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee law in Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 23, creating a new requirement for roadside facility signage and public information related to accessibility features at rest areas and welcome centers. It does not mandate construction of adult-sized changing tables, but it does require transportation officials to identify and advertise their locations through highway signage and an online listing. The practical effect is to improve wayfinding and accessibility information for motorists, especially people with disabilities, caregivers, and adults who need accessible changing facilities.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong support and no recorded opposition in committee, with unanimous favorable votes in both the House Transportation Subcommittee and the House Transportation Committee. The bill appears to have been treated as a straightforward accessibility and traveler-information measure rather than a controversial policy change. No committee transcript is available, but the vote pattern suggests broad agreement on the need for clearer signage and public awareness.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The only likely policy questions are operational rather than ideological: whether TDOT should be required to add signage, how quickly it should do so during normal sign replacement cycles, and how the signs should comply with federal and state traffic-control standards. Any discussion of cost, implementation, or coordination with the Department of Tourist Development appears to have been minimal, given the unanimous committee votes.