Bill > HB0542

This bill establishes new regulations for utility infrastructure development in Tennessee, providing customers and developers more flexibility and oversight in the process of installing utility infrastructure. The legislation requires utilities to allow customers to use approved contractors of their choosing for infrastructure installation and mandates that utilities maintain a public list of these approved contractors. Utilities must review development plans within specific timeframes (60 business days) and cannot charge excessive fees for plan reviews. If a utility fails to complete a plan review within the specified timeframe, customers can hire a third-party professional engineer (called a "third-party plans examiner") to review and approve plans, with the utility then required to accept these reviews or provide specific deficiency reports within 10 business days. The bill defines key terms like "utility," "approved contractor," and "utility infrastructure," which broadly covers water, wastewater, electric, natural gas, and stormwater management facilities. Utilities retain the right to inspect and test infrastructure installations and may require direct utility involvement in specific cases to ensure public safety or service reliability. The legislation aims to streamline development processes, reduce bureaucratic delays, and provide more transparent and efficient utility infrastructure installation procedures. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to development plans submitted on or after that date.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0542&ga=114