[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6623147,"mediaKeyId","2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07","parentId",2776828,"title","Votes at a glance: House Commerce Committee, March 26, 2025","audioSeconds",2908,"startMs",713000,"endMs",3621000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07&start=713&end=3621","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07/thumbnail_713000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623147/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-House-Commerce-Committee-March-26-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623147-c3e8d0d924ca9c887b16132290387468/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675759&Signature=dF6na4TKw9-QPJXYsn2An9sCVc8ae3k6dDUu6qzHmzsR7F7nYFTSM92Q59XDC56toqVH428NR-fmfp9iYvbID9f8D6rW2tDv~NaLKpdRJ1P4xKNOsnzXjP7U0YMqnHADBX8J1rK9Q8dTIwIZVwuUWHacgomzFDaH6D-u55Ijj6xN7VMzzaSv2UlQBPukpIKDDgdBg8iDRlO2CsJtYaygnd0-MycflVWYqvPDa3zhomR4TXMjyBG-QwKPrjltPFupUZltjG-EB2cD0Z012EOJbaBMD08vWLQ43eO9sFiuOwBpeQWz3qpkVoiKj65d3MVFl~oF8ykkfeIrh3yXLPtApw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN House of Representatives","date","2025-03-26T15:05:14.72Z","article","The House Commerce Committee took final action on several bills during its March 26 meeting. Below are the items that received committee votes, the action taken, and the committee roll-call results.

- House Bill 911 (amended with amendment 006000): Amendment adopted; bill amended and forwarded to Calendar & Rules. Vote: 21 ayes, 0 noes. (Sponsor: Representative John Garrett.)

- House Bill 965 (apprentices on state construction contracts): Passed to Calendar & Rules. Vote: 23 ayes, 0 noes. (Sponsor: Chairman Hall.)

- House Bill 962 (local Hemp/HDCP boards) — substantive discussion; amended with drafting code 006085 and sent to Finance. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 noes, 1 present not voting. (Sponsor: Mister Foster.)

- House Bill 470: taken off notice (no committee action).

- House Bill 342 (veterans' claims/consumer protections) — amended (4247) and forwarded to Calendar & Rules. Vote: 19 ayes, 0 noes, 2 present not voting. (Sponsor: Chairman Moon.)

- House Bill 922 (consumer protection: lawsuit‑impersonation calls) — amended and forwarded to Calendar & Rules. Vote: 21 ayes, 0 noes. (Sponsor: Representative Bricken.)

- House Bill 743 (debt resolution licensure) — amended with drafting codes 4631 and 5917; forwarded to Calendar & Rules. Vote: 22 ayes, 0 noes. (Sponsor: Representative Keasler.)

- House Bill 772 (insurance premium finance electronic payment updates) — forwarded to Calendar & Rules as amended. Vote: 19 ayes, 3 noes. (Sponsor: Chairman Powers.)

- House Bill 542 (private installers for utility improvements) — amended (6399) and forwarded to Finance. Vote: 18 ayes, 3 noes. (Sponsor: committee sponsor).

A number of items were amended on the floor of the committee prior to final votes; the committee recorded tally counts for each bill above. Bills voters approved will proceed to the committees listed for additional hearings or to the calendar process.

Ending: Members said remaining work on several measures will continue in the Finance or Calendar and Rules committees; local stakeholders and state agencies were frequently cited as necessary partners in implementing committee-approved changes.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Commerce Committee- March 26, 2025- House Hearing Room 1","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of final actions taken by the House Commerce Committee on March 26, including vote tallies and next steps for each bill considered.","taxTitle","Commerce, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",31059,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6623153,"Panel approves bill to let developers choose private installers for utility system improvements",232,3847000,4079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07&start=3847&end=4079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07/thumbnail_3847000.jpg","/articles/6623153/Tennessee/Panel-approves-bill-to-let-developers-choose-private-installers-for-utility-system-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623153-3f452668f187ebb09aa371b9cf08001c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675759&Signature=i0vf7~m5HtOowlCqKASHzOjBSmFmXKHAIjbBEIxAdbmIFFDqOD0x6SFFduUsAMGVOJ-OSGPcbE-zvUjLdXBPy~UfmNo7h6gJbeNQ-86wL6yegs-tbGIJnDstZMLBiWlj94umJA5IaM419zJ7HTqR2HnnVUEUamElVBB1cf3HyZO5pRIxmmGNNUVNyNOr2AHMgdoA3eqk8~CbiQNsOztvghnUGekexKpcaS~ycYLIN0CzKDVmLcPVukzZrQuDm9v874t709IyZiEj5X7j5UobtWhsNVng1U0Ul3dVWJ02dnaz4scPyg-kjXO-RJmo2INJg53woP1tFwJHr7mGTqNJJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Commerce Committee on March 26 voted to approve legislation standardizing a process that lets developers or customers choose private contractors to install utility system improvements, with utilities required to inspect, accept and require warranty protection.

Sponsor said the bill creates a uniform process for high‑growth areas where utilities face long project delays and staffing limits. \"What this bill is proffering to you to consider is that utilities should allow have a pathway for customers ... and this sets up a process by which utility companies are required to allow the choice of the company doing install or a private installer,\" the sponsor said after the committee adopted amendment 6399, which rewrote the bill.

Under the amended bill utilities would be able to require bonding, maintain an approved list of installers that meet standards, inspect and accept improvements and require a one‑year warranty after acceptance. Supporters said many utilities already use similar practices and the bill standardizes them statewide.

Opponents registered some no votes in the committee roll call; the committee passed the bill 18 ayes and 3 noes and forwarded it to the Finance Committee.

Ending: The bill moves to Finance where members said implementation details — including inspection standards, bonding, and approved‑installer criteria — will be worked out with utilities and stakeholders.

","The committee approved an amended bill requiring utilities to allow a choice of private or utility crews to install system improvements, subject to inspection, bonding, and warranty standards; the bill moves to Finance.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6623157,"Committee advances law to modernize licensing, oversight of debt‑resolution companies",140,3638000,3778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07&start=3638&end=3778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07/thumbnail_3638000.jpg","/articles/6623157/Tennessee/Committee-advances-law-to-modernize-licensing-oversight-of-debtresolution-companies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623157-6e07ae8f18b44b8a9fb2d87c173f9a03/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675759&Signature=d66E4JKcRU~kz~VrYZOOBszUlCmUS03McSQTa-CFUh0-4rHLGYefDfjzJYCCQiLTijf~rzmG4Rc-twv7taurs5PeHjxBeZPmkrBKsrTyDW91qMipaKi-grkflN1NPUDXGRrkKfnC2NV8t7kgKwg0fae9IeduLrB5RdAEt8-ye8k~cUDB9SgXHwAarsKqpxpHafSUMBV8qNHB-d~rYGAE8Nl4szjn5plIReaZf00HfhmhuOUO22I7vKBExNkNsV6xLRYX0G8mV94HxZwVvSXOZRT2b57RP06qOzTpdl4INgb~htm1HVYyoaxQOJ7Qaq28KerEo8-7yX~APTB42qwLJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Commerce Committee on March 26 approved an amended measure to modernize licensure and regulation of debt‑resolution providers.

Sponsor Representative Keasler told the committee the bill separates debt‑resolution companies from credit counselors, clarifies that providers may not collect fees until a creditor resolution is reached and the consumer has accepted the resolution and made payment, and requires licensees to hold client funds in FDIC‑insured accounts dedicated to resolution purposes.

\"The bill will assist our consumers with greater transparency regarding debt resolution,\" Keasler said, describing a 24‑page bill that requires service agreements to disclose services and fees and preserves a consumer's right to terminate and owe only fees for services already provided.

The committee adopted two drafting amendments (coded 4631 and 5917) that were attached as part of the amendment process. Members said the change removes regulatory ambiguity and makes oversight easier for regulators by creating a separate regime for debt resolution providers.

The committee voted 22 ayes, 0 noes to send House Bill 743 as amended to Calendar and Rules.

Ending: The bill now moves to Calendar and Rules; sponsors said the changes aim to protect consumers while preserving legitimate debt‑resolution services.

","The panel approved an amended bill that separates debt‑resolution firms from credit counselors, requires licensing, FDIC-insured client accounts, and preserves consumer protections that bar collection of fees until a resolution is reached.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6623163,"Committee advances bill to regulate for‑profit veteran-claims companies after public testimony",1556,1832000,3388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07&start=1832&end=3388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07/thumbnail_1832000.jpg","/articles/6623163/Tennessee/Committee-advances-bill-to-regulate-forprofit-veteran-claims-companies-after-public-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623163-6d32d2390cb4d5f632c0ceca5967b79e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675759&Signature=U6BexeKetie-SiWcwjY~~CYLrR9Sxj5mCpWHp~VujUHRKMNJmUHkUxfqwEeoXMvjNJPo6SIhQS3N5~OzxqdlftqhgWjP6WJvZYR~xJy7SuvmMO27Fs43UhHoDa~LfBeviQjQBUSP8cZV7-Ja3zgMxmBJvMGqCsy~cXDhQC4Wp6rHKQOFzYmz9MTTK-LIYFVDIoIUl7EDw8PmsMCXXNGr0js343uK6dsUvKg6rkkiyJ~qccgLJS3xzfOdm0OH~Ie1cY1JeEUeM8~rpKa7mDolhfF~giOtX7u5sNKLPb2o231W4KyL82grMQWjcemo650cSSj55dFegpXNvZJaSGgZEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Commerce Committee on March 26 amended and approved a bill aimed at regulating for‑profit companies that assist veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims.

Sponsor Chairman Moon said the bill preserves veterans' right to choose representation while adding consumer-protection requirements: contingency-only, one-time fees, bans on nonrefundable/upfront fees, mandatory disclosure of free options (county service officers, congressionally chartered VSOs), background checks for employees, prohibitions on overseas call/data centers handling veterans' personal information, and civil and criminal penalties under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act enforceable by the attorney general.

\"This bill preserves a Tennessee veterans' constitutional right to choose their representation while also protecting them from unfair practices by introducing common sense guardrails,\" Chairman Moon said while describing the bill and an amendment (4247) that rewrote portions of the measure.

Public testimony included extended remarks from Justin Johnson of Collierville, who represents Shelby County and Collierville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5066. Johnson told the committee he had heard veterans exploited by unaccredited paid companies who charge fees in exchange for filing claims. \"Please do the right thing for our disabled veterans and keep veteran services at no cost,\" Johnson said.

Peter O'Rourke, president of the National Association for Veterans Rights and a former VA official, also testified in favor of regulatory guardrails but cautioned that not every private company is a bad actor. He said removing criminal penalties at the federal level in 2006 increased the number of accredited representatives able to assist veterans, and he outlined a spectrum of service providers operating in the space.

Committee members asked questions about enforcement and federal interactions. Leader Cochran and others sought clarification about whether the state-level bill would reduce bad actors; O'Rourke said the bill addresses known problematic practices and would help differentiate legitimate providers from fraudsters.

The committee adopted amendment 4247 and voted 19 ayes, 0 noes and 2 present not voting to send House Bill 342, as amended, to the Calendar and Rules Committee.

Ending: The bill, intended to create disclosure and conduct rules for paid veteran-claims assistance, now heads to Calendar and Rules for possible further action.

","The committee amended and approved legislation placing consumer-protection guardrails on for‑profit companies that assist veterans with VA disability claims; the bill was sent to calendar and rules as amended after testimony from veterans and national advocates.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6623168,"House panel approves bill letting local governments enforce hemp retail rules as stopgap",762,1013000,1775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07&start=1013&end=1775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776828-7d87bce4f34a85b9d4d3a8f56103cf07/thumbnail_1013000.jpg","/articles/6623168/Tennessee/House-panel-approves-bill-letting-local-governments-enforce-hemp-retail-rules-as-stopgap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623168-b680df03289782c4c3c7df1e2f68e70e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773675759&Signature=UhHJzLrlX2Fgq75~HjHkuJdeKLSPtQDdmSl-XB48ii7XROAh0UoJwsi1DV5~1tLzbWyCprUYacp8CNvfjXZVqWJ3lBUx01zNbQ3C2sxRVqPtxodb8mnEhEHgnDdxYJZEJ8BZsNQGU4-GSVyjx0xPsZItGDvcOfe~r5WjNJI3QYFMO86JhMwhNMXAyWNpki0ga0IYnUt2LVJx4Zpa~LTAo3wRkmQq0IACxCPmnXby0l4jiANgS7rkX0nG9JTxfyX9XGQNK6LwyxaTtwDWv0p6~lzTav1QKuJdKtcyz8SVDpqvpoZ2srQe2I-mZKs1TWjrkjM0C1DlWTiI8MBe4AJpgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Commerce Committee on March 26 approved an amended bill that would let local governments create Hemp/HDCP boards to enforce state hemp laws and related local ordinances under a memorandum of understanding with a state agency.

Sponsor and committee members said the measure is intended chiefly as a stopgap to assist enforcement while the Legislature considers a separate, broader regulatory scheme. \"At the moment, my vision for this legislation only enforces what's in state law,\" sponsor Mister Foster said after members attached amendment 006085. \"Local government becomes an arm of the state enforcement on this particular issue.\"

The amendment the committee adopted adds mandatory language permitting local governments to establish a board and spells out a more defined appeals process, Foster said. Leader Cochran asked whether a local HDCP board could adopt distance requirements similar to beer-board rules; Foster replied that the bill as written only authorizes enforcement of existing state law, though local land-use ordinances remain available.

\"Should the state move forward with distance requirements ... I would envision that that would be enforced,\" Foster said. Chairman Vaughn and other members added that local zoning and use rules are separate and would still apply.

Committee members also discussed permitting and enforcement roles. Foster and other members said the measure is patterned in part on local beer-board structures: local boards could charge fees to support enforcement, require permits specific to hemp retail separate from alcohol permits, and operate under an MOU with the state Department of Agriculture or, if later assigned, the ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Commission).

Supporters said the change is intended to help local governments manage a large number of hemp licensees in some counties while state regulatory work continues. \"There are 45 permits for hemp in Greene County right now,\" a committee member noted, arguing local partners may be needed to handle the workload.

The committee voted 20 ayes, 0 noes and 1 present-not-voting to send House Bill 962, as amended with drafting code 006085 (attached as amendment number 1), to the Finance Committee.

Votes at the committee included the adoption of amendment 006085 to HB 962 and the final passage to Finance as amended. No formal state regulatory changes take effect under this bill without the state agency arrangements described in the text.

Ending: The bill now moves to the Finance Committee for further consideration. Committee members emphasized the measure was intended to preserve state primacy over substantive licensing rules while giving local governments a narrowly defined enforcement role under an agreement with the appropriate state agency.

","The House Commerce Committee amended and approved legislation allowing local governments to create Hemp/HDCP boards that can enforce existing state hemp laws and local ordinances if they enter a memorandum of understanding with a state agency; the bill was sent to Finance as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: House Commerce Committee, March 26, 2025

Panel approves bill to let developers choose private installers for utility system improvements

Committee advances law to modernize licensing, oversight of debt‑resolution companies

Committee advances bill to regulate for‑profit veteran-claims companies after public testimony

House panel approves bill letting local governments enforce hemp retail rules as stopgap