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Bill

HB 879

Business and Commerce - As introduced, prohibits an individual without a valid transportation network license from accepting or transporting a prearranged ride originating in this state; requires the department of commerce and insurance to issue transportation network licenses to eligible individuals; limits the issuance of transportation network licenses to residents of this state and residents of certain out-of-state counties adjacent to this state. - Amends TCA Title 55 and Title 65, Chapter 15, Part 3.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Rush Bricken

Tennessee would require individual transportation network drivers to be state-licensed and Tennessee/border-county residents, restricting the rideshare driver pool and potentially limiting service availability.

Assigned to s/c Business & Utilities Subcommittee
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Bill Summary · HB 879

Legislative bill overview

HB 879 establishes a state licensing requirement for transportation network drivers (rideshare drivers like Uber/Lyft) in Tennessee. Only licensed residents of Tennessee or adjacent out-of-state counties could legally accept and transport prearranged rides originating in the state, with the Department of Commerce and Insurance issuing these licenses.

Why is this important

This bill would fundamentally change how rideshare services operate in Tennessee by replacing the current model (which typically relies on company-level regulation) with individual driver licensing. The residency requirement could significantly limit driver availability, particularly in rural areas or border regions, potentially affecting service accessibility and pricing for consumers.

Potential points of contention

  • Interstate commerce concerns: Restricting non-resident drivers may violate federal commerce protections or create reciprocal licensing disputes with neighboring states
  • Driver supply and service impact: Limiting the driver pool to only state residents and adjacent-county residents could reduce availability, increase wait times, and raise fares in lower-density areas
  • Existing company regulation: Uber and Lyft already operate under company-level background checks and insurance requirements; unclear how individual licensing complements or conflicts with current oversight
  • Implementation costs: Establishing a new licensing infrastructure creates administrative burden and taxpayer expense with unclear consumer benefits

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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