Telecommunications - As introduced, removes a requirement that the comptroller report to the general assembly, not later than January 31, 2008, with recommendations regarding whether the pilot project that authorized certain municipal electric systems to provide services beyond their service area with certain limitations should be continued or expanded to other systems. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 9; Title 12; Title 13; Title 35, Chapter 8, Part 1; Section 37-10-204; Section 38-6-121; Title 39; Title 40, Chapter 6, Part 3; Title 47, Chapter 18; Title 54; Title 55; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Bailey

Removes a 17-year-overdue comptroller reporting deadline about municipal electric system expansion pilots and amends 20+ Tennessee code sections.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

#telecommunications

Legislative bill overview

SB 287 removes an outdated reporting requirement that mandated the state comptroller submit recommendations to the general assembly by January 31, 2008, regarding whether a pilot project allowing municipal electric systems to expand service beyond their traditional boundaries should continue or expand. The bill makes technical amendments across multiple Tennessee code sections, primarily eliminating this obsolete deadline that has long passed.

Why is this important

The real-world impact is largely administrative: this removes a compliance obligation that became moot over 17 years ago when the January 2008 deadline passed without the report being submitted. Eliminating dead legislation reduces regulatory clutter and clarifies current law, though the underlying pilot project itself may continue operating under other authorizations. The extensive code amendments suggest this may be part of a broader legislative cleanup effort.

Potential points of contention

Scope ambiguity: The bill amends 20+ Tennessee code titles but the introduction only describes removing one comptroller reporting requirement, raising questions about what other substantive changes are included in the full text

Municipal utility expansion oversight: By removing the reporting requirement, the bill eliminates a formal mechanism for legislative review of municipal electric systems operating outside traditional service areas, potentially reducing transparency on this policy area

Legislative intent clarity: The massive number of title amendments for what appears to be a technical cleanup raises concerns about whether unrelated provisions are being bundled into a single bill