Tennessee House Bill HB2558

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/26
• Refer: 3/3/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68, Title 71 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024, relative to certificates of need.

Summary

HB2558 makes a narrow change to Tennessee’s certificate of need law by extending a statutory deadline from 15 days to 30 days in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-11-1607(c)(1)(A). The bill does not create a new certificate of need program or change the substantive standards for approval; instead, it adjusts the time allowed for a required action under the existing process. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. Because the bill amends only one deadline in the certificate of need framework, its practical effect is procedural rather than structural. It would give affected applicants, agencies, or other parties more time to complete the specified filing, response, or notice requirement tied to the certificate of need process, depending on how the underlying statute is applied. The bill also references Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024, indicating it is part of a continuing set of updates to Tennessee’s health planning laws.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Section 68-11-1607(c)(1)(A) by replacing a 15-day deadline with a 30-day deadline, thereby lengthening the time period for a step in the certificate of need process. This change affects the administration of health facility regulation under Title 68 and may provide additional procedural flexibility for applicants, regulators, or other stakeholders involved in certificate of need proceedings. No other substantive statutory changes are made in the text provided.

Sentiment

There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from discussion transcripts. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears technical and limited in scope, which often suggests a low-conflict procedural adjustment rather than a controversial policy change. The available status indicates it was filed for introduction, with no further action shown.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided record. If concerns were raised, they would most likely relate to whether extending the deadline from 15 to 30 days slows the certificate of need process or, conversely, improves fairness and administrative practicality for affected parties. Potentially interested stakeholders would include health care providers, hospitals, state health regulators, and parties participating in certificate of need reviews.