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HB0974 • 2026

Motor Vehicles

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 17 and Title 62, Chapter 19, relative to auctions of motor vehicles.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
McCalmon, Pody
Last action
2026-03-16
Official status
Effective date(s) 02/25/2026
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary text does not provide specific details about the exact number of vehicles offered or the net worth requirement. These details are included based on the official digest text but may need further verification from additional sources.

Motor Vehicle Auctions in Tennessee

This bill changes Tennessee laws to allow certain motor vehicle auctions without needing a dealer license under specific conditions.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows auction operators to sell or purchase previously titled antique vehicles that are at least 25 years old or unique motor vehicles through an auction format in Wilson County, TN, without needing a dealer's license if the venue has at least 20,000 seats and meets other criteria.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Auction operators who meet specific criteria can sell or purchase previously titled antique vehicles that are at least 25 years old or unique motor vehicles through an auction format in Wilson County without needing a dealer's license.

Terms To Know

Antique vehicle
A car that is at least 25 years old.
Unique motor vehicle
A special type of vehicle not commonly found, as defined by the bill.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The exemption for auction operators will end on June 30, 2027, unless it is extended or reenacted by the Tennessee General Assembly before that date.
  • This law only applies to auctions held in Wilson County with a venue having at least 20,000 seats.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Amendment 1-0 to HB0974

Plain English: This amendment allows certain large-scale auctions of antique and unique vehicles without needing a motor vehicle dealer license if they meet specific criteria.

  • Auctions of antique or unique vehicles that are at least 25 years old can be held without requiring a motor vehicle dealer's license, provided the auction meets strict conditions such as location, size, frequency, and operator net worth.
  • The exact impact on local businesses and public safety is not specified in this amendment.
  • The amendment includes a sunset clause that will delete these provisions unless renewed by the general assembly before June 30, 2026.
Amendment 1-0 to SB1069

Plain English: This amendment allows certain large-scale auctions of antique and unique vehicles without needing a motor vehicle dealer license if they meet specific criteria.

  • Auctions of antique or unique vehicles that are at least 25 years old can be held without requiring a motor vehicle dealer's license, provided the auction meets specific conditions such as location, size, frequency, and operator net worth.
  • The exact impact on local businesses and consumer protection is unclear.
  • Details about how compliance with these requirements will be enforced are not specified.
Amendment 2-0 to SB1069

Plain English: The amendment changes a specific date from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2027 in the bill.

  • Changes the deadline for certain provisions of the bill from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
  • The amendment text does not provide details about what specific provisions are affected by this date change.
  • It is unclear how changing this date will impact the overall bill's implementation or requirements.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Effective date(s) 02/25/2026

  2. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Pub. Ch. 540

  3. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Comp. became Pub. Ch. 540

  4. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Governor.

  5. 2026-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Transmitted to Governor for his action.

  6. 2026-02-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Senate Speaker

  7. 2026-02-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by H. Speaker

  8. 2026-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

  9. 2026-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. concurred in S. am. no. 2 Ayes 91, Nays 0 PNV 0 HB0974

  10. 2026-02-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. Placed on Message Calendar for 2/12/2026

  11. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0

  12. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0458)

  13. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

  14. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  15. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Companion House Bill substituted

  16. 2026-01-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 2/2/2026

  17. 2026-01-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 11, Nays 0 PNV 0

  18. 2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 1/20/2026

  19. 2026-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 1/20/2026

  20. 2026-01-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 1/13/2026

  21. 2025-04-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2025

  22. 2025-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

  23. 2025-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2025

  24. 2025-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/15/2025

  25. 2025-04-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

  26. 2025-04-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed H., as am., Ayes 97, Nays 0, PNV 0

  27. 2025-04-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0076)

  28. 2025-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee / Behind Budget

  29. 2025-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2025

  30. 2025-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/8/2025

  31. 2025-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly

    Re-refer to Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee

  32. 2025-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly

    Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0099)

  33. 2025-04-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/7/2025

  34. 2025-04-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/10/2025

  35. 2025-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/3/2025

  36. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

  37. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/1/2025

  38. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  39. 2025-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  40. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/26/2025

  41. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

  42. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  43. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  44. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0

  45. 2025-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  46. 2025-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor change.

  47. 2025-03-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  48. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/12/2025

  49. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Commerce Committee

  50. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/12/2025

  51. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Transportation and Safety Committee to 3/12/2025

  52. 2025-02-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/5/2025

  53. 2025-02-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Business & Utilities Subcommittee

  54. 2025-02-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to Commerce Committee

  55. 2025-02-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/5/2025

  56. 2025-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Refer to Senate Transportation & Safety Committee

  57. 2025-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recalled from Senate Energy, Ag., & Natural Resources Committee

  58. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee

  59. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  60. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  61. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  62. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  63. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

ON APRIL 7, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND REFERRED SENATE BILL 1069, AS AMENDED, TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, make the following revisions to present law:



Adds that a motor vehicle dealer license is not required to sell or purchase a previously titled antique vehicle that is at least 25 years of age or a unique motor vehicle through an auction format if (i) the auction is being held at a venue with a permanent seating capacity of at least 20,000 located in Wilson County, (ii) the auction operator conducts no more than one auction in this state per year, (ii) the action offers no less than 400 vehicles and no more than 2,000 vehicles for any one auction, and (iv) the auction operator has a minimum net worth of $25 million.



Removes the new provision above on June 30, 2026, unless such provision is reenacted or extended by the general assembly prior to that date.

ON APRIL 10, 2025, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 974, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 makes the same changes as described in Senate Amendment #1.

ON FEBRUARY 2, 2026, THE SENATE SUBSTITUTED HOUSE BILL 974 FOR SENATE BILL 1069, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 974, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #2 changes licensure exemption repeal date from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1069
By Pody

HOUSE BILL 974
By McCalmon

HB0974
001033
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55,
Chapter 17 and Title 62, Chapter 19, relative to
auctions of motor vehicles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-17-120(e)(2), is amended by
deleting the semicolon at the end of the subdivision and substituting instead:
, which may be sent electronically;
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.