AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-116, relative to registration fees.
Summary
SB1839 amends Tennessee’s vehicle registration fee statute to change how alternative-fuel vehicles are treated. Under current law, the relevant fee provision applies to both hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; this bill removes hybrid electric vehicles from that category, leaving only plug-in hybrid electric vehicles subject to the specified registration fee schedule. The bill also updates the fee amount for the period beginning January 1, 2027, and ending January 1, 2028, setting the fee at $100.
The measure takes effect January 1, 2027, and would alter Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-4-116, which governs registration fees for certain vehicles. In practical terms, it narrows the class of vehicles covered by the fee provision and preserves a defined fee for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles during the stated time period. The bill does not create a new program; it revises an existing fee structure tied to vehicle registration.
Impact
SB1839 would amend Tennessee’s motor vehicle registration fee law by excluding hybrid electric vehicles from a fee provision that currently includes them, while continuing to apply the fee to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. It would also set the applicable fee at $100 for registrations occurring between January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028. The bill affects vehicle owners, particularly owners of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and changes the administration of registration fees by the Department of Revenue or other vehicle registration authorities.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears technical and targeted, suggesting a policy adjustment rather than a broad or controversial overhaul. The absence of recorded discussion makes the overall sentiment difficult to assess beyond the bill’s narrow administrative focus.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the decision to remove hybrid electric vehicles from the fee category while retaining plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which could be viewed as either a clarification or a policy preference affecting different vehicle owners differently. Another possible issue is the continued imposition of a registration fee on plug-in hybrid vehicles, which may draw concern from owners or clean-vehicle advocates who favor lower costs for alternative-fuel vehicles. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided record.