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TennesseeHB 0542114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Kevin Vaughan (Republican)

Became Law

Utilities, Utility Districts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Rules to be an approved contractor

Starting July 1, 2025, to be an approved contractor you must hold the right Tennessee license and have relevant experience. You must agree to give finished utility lines to the utility at no cost and free of liens. You must provide performance bonds, warranties, liability insurance, and indemnify the utility. You must also be in good standing or be approved in writing by the utility.

Choose your own utility contractor

Beginning July 1, 2025, you can pick one or more approved contractors to install utility lines for your project. Before work starts, you or your agent must give the utility the project name, address, contractor name, and proof the contractor is eligible. After you submit the required items, the utility has 10 business days to approve, list problems, or ask for more. If it does nothing, the contractor may proceed. The utility can still require its own crew or supervised work when needed for public safety or reliable service.

Faster plan reviews and third-party backup

Beginning July 1, 2025, if the utility makes you submit plans, it cannot charge more than its posted review fees and must finish review within 60 business days after your plans are marked complete. If the utility misses that deadline, you can hire a licensed professional engineer as a third-party plans examiner. You must submit stamped plans, a sworn compliance statement, and the codes used. After you submit third‑party reviewed plans, the utility has 10 business days to approve, list problems, or ask for more; otherwise it must refund plan-review fees and the plans are approved. Plans approved after third‑party review still face utility inspections and testing, and you or your contractor must fix any problems and may owe inspection fees. These timelines do not apply where the utility customarily prepares the plans, and can pause during disasters. If state or federal rules conflict, those rules control.

No forced single vendors for materials

From July 1, 2025, utilities may set specs and an approved materials list, but cannot force one vendor or brand. A specific vendor can be required only if it is needed to protect system quality and integrity.

Inspection and testing fees for contractor work

Beginning July 1, 2025, utilities inspect work done by approved contractors and may test materials and lines. Contractors must correct any problems. Utilities can charge reasonable inspection and testing fees and can delay acceptance until the work meets standards.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kevin Vaughan

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • G.A. Hardaway

    Democrat • House

  • Chris Todd

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 164 • No: 24

House vote • 4/21/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025

Yes: 77 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/21/2025

Yes: 24 • No: 6

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 27 • No: 0

House vote • 3/26/2025

HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Yes: 18 • No: 3

House vote • 3/19/2025

HOUSE BUSINESS AND UTILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 490

    5/27/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2025

    5/27/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/21/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/9/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/8/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/24/2025House

  8. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0189)

    4/21/2025House

  9. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/21/2025House

  10. Passed H., as am., Ayes 77, Nays 13, PNV 0

    4/21/2025House

  11. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/21/2025House

  12. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/21/2025Senate

  13. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/21/2025Senate

  14. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0304)

    4/21/2025Senate

  15. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0292)

    4/21/2025Senate

  16. Passed Senate, Ayes 24, Nays 6

    4/21/2025Senate

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

    4/17/2025House

  18. Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/17/2025House

  19. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025

    4/17/2025House

  20. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2025

    4/17/2025House

  21. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025

    4/16/2025House

  22. Placed behind the budget

    4/9/2025House

  23. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025

    4/9/2025House

  24. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/9/2025

    4/2/2025House

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

    3/26/2025House

Bill Text

  • HA0189 (Substitute)

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0292

    PDF

  • SA0304

    PDF

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