Tennessee Senate Bill SB2150

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 121, relative to private elevators.

Summary

SB2150 amends Tennessee’s elevator safety laws to create a specific framework for private residence elevators. The bill defines “private residence” for purposes of the chapter and, beginning July 1, 2027, requires newly constructed and accepted private residence elevators to be registered with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development within seven days after being placed in service. It also requires a new property owner to notify the department of a change in ownership within 60 days after conveyance of the real property. The bill further modifies the inspection provisions in Title 68, Chapter 121 so that certain required inspection rules do not apply to private residence elevators. In effect, it separates elevators in private homes from the broader inspection regime that applies to other elevators, while still preserving a registration and ownership-notification requirement for newly installed residential units. The delayed effective date gives time for rulemaking and implementation before the new obligations take effect.

Impact

SB2150 would amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 121 by adding a statutory definition of “private residence” and by creating new registration and ownership-notification duties for private residence elevators. It also narrows the application of existing required inspection provisions by exempting private residence elevators from specified inspection requirements. The bill primarily affects homeowners, property owners, elevator installers, and the state department responsible for elevator oversight and registration.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill was received favorably in committee, passing the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee unanimously 9-0 with a recommendation for passage and referral to the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee. No committee transcript is available, but the vote indicates broad support and little visible opposition at that stage. The delayed effective date and limited scope may have contributed to the bill’s generally positive reception.

Contention

The main policy issue appears to be how much state oversight should apply to elevators in private residences. Supporters likely view the bill as a targeted regulatory adjustment that preserves safety oversight through registration while reducing burdensome inspection requirements for home elevators. Any concern would likely come from those worried that exempting private residence elevators from certain inspections could reduce safety protections, while others may question the administrative burden of registration and ownership reporting for homeowners and new buyers.