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SB2213 • 2026

Public Utilities

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7; Title 13, Chapter 7; Title 65 and Title 68, relative to utilities.

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Active

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

Sponsor
Taylor, Vaughan
Last action
2026-03-26
Official status
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide details on specific sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated being updated, only mentioning Titles and Chapters in general terms.

Public Utilities Act

This bill requires Tennessee's public utilities to submit written requests to the Public Utility Commission for cost recovery mechanisms related to innovative natural gas resource infrastructure.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires that a public utility's request to the Public Utility Commission for a cost recovery mechanism regarding innovative natural gas resource infrastructure be submitted in writing.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Public utility companies in Tennessee
  • The Public Utility Commission

Terms To Know

Cost recovery mechanism
A way for a company to get back the money it spent on something new, like by charging customers more.
Natural gas resource infrastructure
Equipment and systems used to bring natural gas from where it is found to homes and businesses.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the exact types of new natural gas resources covered.
  • It's unclear how this change will affect utility customers' bills in the future.

Amendments

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

Amendment 1-0 to HB2381

Plain English: The amendment changes Tennessee's utility laws by setting rules for utilities providing materials at fair prices and limiting fees they can charge.

  • Utilities must provide required construction materials to customers or approved contractors at the same price they paid, without additional taxes.
  • Utilities cannot require street lights installation when installing utility infrastructure unless the customer chooses to do so.
  • Utility inspection and testing fees are capped at a combined total of up to 10% of the project cost.
  • The amendment text does not specify how utilities will determine 'reasonable' fees for inspections and testing, which may lead to further clarification needed.
Amendment 1-0 to SB2213

Plain English: The amendment changes Tennessee laws related to utilities by setting rules for material costs, street light installation requirements, design fees, inspection fees, and when these new rules will start.

  • Utilities must provide materials at the same price they paid, without extra taxes, if those materials are only available from them.
  • Customers or contractors installing utility infrastructure do not have to install street lights unless required by law.
  • The fee for reviewing plans and designs cannot be more than ten percent of the project cost.
  • Inspection fees can't exceed ten percent of the proposed project cost.
  • Some parts of the amendment are technical and might need further explanation to understand fully.
Amendment 2-0 to SB2213

Plain English: The amendment changes Tennessee's utility laws by setting rules for utilities providing materials at fair prices and limiting fees they can charge.

  • Utilities must provide required construction materials to customers or contractors at the same price they paid, without additional taxes.
  • Utilities cannot require street lights when installing infrastructure unless requested.
  • Fees charged by utilities for inspections and testing are limited to a maximum of 10% of the project cost.
  • The amendment text does not specify what happens if the utility price is higher than market value, leaving some uncertainty about fair pricing.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026

  2. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed behind the budget

  3. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026

  4. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  5. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  6. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 4/8/2026

  7. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Commerce Committee to 4/8/2026

  8. 2026-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

  9. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 4/1/2026

  10. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Commerce Committee to 4/1/2026

  11. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  12. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 29, Nays 0

  13. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0702)

  14. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0707)

  15. 2026-03-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/23/2026

  16. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/25/2026

  17. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  18. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  19. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/18/2026

  20. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Business and Utilities Subcommittee to 3/18/2026

  21. 2026-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/11/2026

  22. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee to 3/11/2026

  23. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/11/2026

  24. 2026-02-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Business & Utilities Subcommittee

  25. 2026-02-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to Commerce Committee

  26. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/4/2026

  27. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  28. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  29. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  30. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  31. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  32. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 2381
By Vaughan

SENATE BILL 2213
By Taylor
SB2213
012220
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7;
Title 13, Chapter 7; Title 65 and Title 68, relative to
utilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 65-5-114(c), is amended by deleting
"request" and substituting "request in writing".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.