Tennessee Senate Bill SB0199

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 54; Title 55; Title 65 and Title 67, relative to transportation.

Summary

SB0199 is a narrow transportation-related bill that authorizes state transportation officials to take reasonable steps to publicize the availability of certain existing options to potential participants. Specifically, it amends Tennessee law in two places: one provision in Title 55 related to motor vehicle/transportation programs and another provision in the driver licensing code. In both sections, the bill adds language allowing the commissioner or department to promote awareness of the option described in the underlying statute. The bill does not create a new transportation program or change eligibility standards, benefits, or enforcement provisions. Instead, it gives the relevant agencies express authority to advertise or otherwise inform the public about options already available under those statutes. The act would take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

SB0199 would make a limited procedural change to Tennessee transportation law by expressly permitting the Department of Safety and Homeland Security or other relevant transportation officials to publicize existing statutory options. It affects Tennessee Code Annotated sections 55-21-304 and 55-50-307, but does not appear to alter substantive rights, duties, or penalties for drivers, vehicle owners, or other regulated parties.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition. Based on the text alone, the bill appears administrative and low-conflict, with a likely neutral-to-supportive posture because it simply authorizes outreach and public information efforts without imposing new mandates or costs on the public.

Contention

There are no documented points of contention in the provided materials. If any concern were raised, it would likely center on whether the department should spend resources on publicity or whether the bill could be seen as unnecessary because the underlying options already exist in statute. However, the bill text itself is permissive and limited, and no opposing viewpoints are included in the record provided.