Tennessee Senate Bill SB0721

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 102 and Title 68, Chapter 120, relative to building regulations.

Summary

SB0721 makes a narrow procedural change to Tennessee’s building regulations appeal process. Under current law, the relevant authority must issue a decision on a written appeal within 10 working days of receiving it. This bill replaces that deadline with 15 calendar days, giving the decision-maker a slightly longer and differently measured timeframe to respond. The bill does not change substantive building code standards, permitting requirements, or enforcement powers. Its effect is limited to Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-120-116(a), which governs the timing of appeal decisions in the building regulation context. By switching from working days to calendar days, the bill also changes how the deadline is counted, which may make the process more predictable but could shorten the effective response window when weekends and holidays are included.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 120 by revising the deadline for decisions on written appeals related to building regulations. It extends the stated period from 10 working days to 15 calendar days, affecting the administrative timeline for officials handling appeals and the parties waiting on those decisions. No other statutes are changed, and the bill does not alter the underlying rights, standards, or enforcement framework for building regulation disputes.

Sentiment

There is little recorded debate or voting history available for SB0721, so overall sentiment cannot be measured from committee discussion or roll calls. Based on the bill’s text, it appears to be a technical, noncontroversial administrative adjustment rather than a policy change likely to generate strong support or opposition. The absence of transcripts or votes suggests the measure may have been treated as routine legislation.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the available materials. The only potentially debatable issue is the change from 10 working days to 15 calendar days, which could be viewed differently by those seeking faster appeal resolution versus those wanting more time to review cases. Any concern would likely come from building officials, local governments, contractors, or appellants affected by the revised deadline, but no named stakeholders or objections are recorded here.