Tennessee House Bill HB2445

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7; Title 49 and Title 65, relative to natural gas.

Impact

If enacted, HB2445 would impose new transparency obligations on local education agencies concerning their use of natural gas. By requiring LEAs to maintain and publicly disclose a detailed list of natural gas-utilizing school buildings, the bill aims to ensure that stakeholders, including parents and local communities, are informed about their schools' energy use. This move could enhance accountability and oversight regarding utility services provided to educational institutions, fostering a better understanding of resource allocation in the education sector.

Summary

House Bill 2445 proposes amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated, particularly under Titles 7, 49, and 65, with a focus on the management of natural gas services in educational facilities. The bill mandates that each Local Education Agency (LEA) must compile and publish an annual list detailing all school buildings using natural gas for utilities. This list must also include the names of the entities supplying natural gas. Posting this information on the LEA's website is a specifically outlined requirement aimed at promoting transparency in utility management in schools.

Contention

While the bill seems to promote good governance and transparency, there could be points of contention regarding the administrative burden placed on LEAs. Critics may argue that maintaining and updating this information annually may require additional resources that some districts may already be stretching thin. Moreover, there might be concerns from utility providers about how such transparency measures could impact their relationships with the schools they serve.