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SB 1738

Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration - As introduced, exempts a military service member who is stationed out of state on military orders from paying the additional registration fee imposed on all-electric vehicles. - Amends TCA Section 55-4-116 and Section 55-6-107.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Exempts Tennessee military members stationed out of state on orders from paying the additional registration fee for all-electric vehicles.

Transmitted to Governor for action.
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Bill Summary · SB 1738

Summary of Bill: SB 1738 (Tennessee, 114th Legislature)

Title

Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration - Exempts a military service member stationed out of state on military orders from paying the additional registration fee imposed on all-electric vehicles. Amends TCA § 55-4-116 and § 55-6-107.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill provides an exemption from the additional registration fee for all-electric vehicles (EVs) for Tennessee military service members who are stationed out of state on military orders.
  • The aim is to relieve members of the armed forces stationed away from Tennessee from incurring an EV-related registration surcharge that would otherwise apply.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Exemption Details:
    • Exempts a military service member who is stationed out of state on military orders from paying the additional registration fee that is ordinarily charged for all-electric vehicles.
  • Statutory Amendments:
    • Amends:
    • Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 55-4-116
    • Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 55-6-107
    • These sections pertain to vehicle registration and titling, including the EV registration surcharge previously established.

Who Is Affected

  • Affected Group: Tennessee military service members who are stationed outside Tennessee on active orders.
  • Vehicles Affected: All-electric vehicles registered in Tennessee that would otherwise incur the electric-vehicle registration surcharge.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Sponsor and Action Timeline:
    • Introduced and referred through committee processes in early 2026.
    • Passed the Senate, transmitted to the House, and subsequently progressed with standard legislative steps.
    • Enrolled and prepared for signatures in April 2026.
    • Signed by Senate leadership (April 23, 2026) and House leadership (April 23, 2026).
    • Signed by the Governor (May 1–5, 2026, with transmission for action on May 5, 2026).
  • Effective Date: The exact effective date is not specified in the provided information. Typically, enactment follows the governor’s signature and publication in the official code, unless otherwise stated.

Potential Impact

  • Financial Impact on Affected Members: Reduces or eliminates the additional EV registration fee for Tennessee-based EVs held by service members while they are stationed out of state, potentially lowering registration costs during active duty assignments away from Tennessee.
  • Administrative Impact: Simplifies registration considerations for military members and aligns with commonly observed military-parity practices for state fees during overseas or out-of-state deployments.
  • Broader Impacts: The bill maintains EV incentives while ensuring that service members on duty away from Tennessee are not unduly burdened by state-imposed EV fees.

Notes

  • The summary focuses on the introduced policy: an EV registration surcharge exemption for out-of-state stationed military personnel.
  • The bill’s other provisions and any related fiscal note or sunset provisions are not detailed in the provided text. If needed, consult the official bill text and fiscal impact statement for precise language and effective date.

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

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