AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 44, relative to animals used in agriculture.
Summary
HB2240 makes a narrow administrative change to Tennessee law governing associations related to animals used in agriculture. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 44-14-115, to allow an association to submit the annual report required under existing law in electronic form. It does not change the underlying reporting requirement itself; it simply adds an electronic filing option alongside whatever paper or other submission methods are already permitted.
Because the bill is limited to report submission format, its practical effect is to modernize compliance and reduce paperwork for agricultural associations. It would affect the associations subject to Section 44-14-115 by giving them a more convenient way to meet annual reporting obligations, and it would likely streamline processing for the state agency receiving the reports. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting a finding of public welfare necessity.
The available record shows no committee transcript, debate, or recorded votes, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s text. Based on the substance of the measure, the general sentiment appears neutral to favorable, as it is a technical, low-impact administrative update rather than a policy change affecting animal agriculture standards or enforcement.
The main point of contention, if any, would likely be whether electronic submission should be optional or whether additional safeguards are needed for recordkeeping and verification. However, no such dispute is reflected in the provided materials, and the bill appears to have been presented as a straightforward modernization measure.
Impact
HB2240 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 44-14-115 by expressly authorizing associations to file the required annual report electronically. This changes state law only in the method of submission, not in the substance of the reporting duty, and it affects associations covered by the agricultural animals reporting statute as well as the state office that receives those reports.
Sentiment
No committee discussion or votes were provided, so there is no recorded legislative debate to gauge. The bill’s text suggests a generally favorable or at least noncontroversial sentiment because it offers a convenience-based administrative update without altering regulatory obligations.
Contention
There is no documented contention in the provided materials. If any issue were to arise, it would likely concern administrative details such as electronic record integrity, accessibility, or whether electronic filing should be optional versus mandatory, but none of those concerns are reflected in the available record.