Bill > SB1139

This bill establishes new regulations for utility infrastructure installation and review in Tennessee, requiring utilities to allow customers to use approved private contractors for utility infrastructure projects. The bill defines key terms like "utility," "approved contractor," and "third-party plans examiner" and mandates that utilities create a publicly available list of approved contractors. Utilities must now review development plans within 60 business days and cannot charge excessive fees for plan reviews. If a utility fails to complete the review within the specified timeframe, customers may hire a third-party professional engineer (registered in Tennessee) to examine the plans, who must provide a detailed sworn statement confirming compliance with all relevant codes and requirements. The utility must then approve the plans within 10 business days or provide specific deficiency reports, and if they fail to act, the plans are automatically approved and any review fees must be refunded. The bill also allows utilities to perform inspections of the infrastructure installation and requires approved contractors to correct any deficiencies. The legislation includes provisions for regulatory compliance, force majeure exceptions, and takes effect on July 1, 2025, applying to development plans submitted on or after that date. The primary goal is to streamline utility infrastructure development by providing more flexibility and accountability in the review and installation processes.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1139&ga=114