Committee rejects proposal to cut tenant cure period from 14 to 7 days; bill fails on tie vote

The Business & Utilities Subcommittee voted on House Bill 1345, sponsored by Representative Reeves, which would reduce the legal cure period for certain residential lease violations from 14 days to seven days. The motion failed after a 4-4 roll call with one member recorded as present but not voting.

Representative Reeves, sponsor of the bill, said the measure "amends the period of time a property owner has to terminate a tenancy ... from 14 days down to 7," arguing the change would align Tennessee with surrounding states and help competitiveness for business owners.

Representative Hardaway and Chairman Clemens expressed opposition or reservations. Hardaway said he was "leaning away" from the bill, arguing the 14-day period exists in part because many workers are paid biweekly and 14 days can allow a pay period to lapse so inability to pay can be distinguished from refusal. Clemens asked to carve out nonpayment-of-rent cases from the shorter cure period so that threats and property damage could still be addressed in seven days while nonpayment would retain a longer cure period; that amendment was not adopted during the recorded discussion.

Representative Reeves said state law supersedes contract terms and that current leases would remain in effect until they expire; the bill would apply statewide after it takes effect, which the sponsor indicated as July 1.

On the roll call, the clerk reported four ayes, four nays and one present not voting; the chair announced the bill failed.

No amendments, vote tallies by name, or further committee direction for reconsideration were recorded in the transcript.