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Committee advances Paystub Protection Act to Commerce after unanimous vote
Summary
House Bill 13,84 would require employers in Tennessee to provide employees with a pay statement; the Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee advanced the bill 7-0 and committee members asked for clarifications about electronic delivery, contract workers, and enforcement.
The Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 13,84, the Paystub Protection Act, to the House Commerce Committee after sponsor Representative Harris said the bill would require employers to provide a pay statement to workers and help prevent wage theft.
Representative Harris described Tennessee as “one of only six states currently with no pay stub requirements” and said a mandated pay statement would help tenants, lenders and employees verify earnings and employment classification. He told the panel the bill does not restrict delivery method: an electronic pay stub satisfies the requirement.
Committee members asked several detailed questions about the bill’s scope. Representative Lynn asked whether an electronic pay stub would meet the bill’s requirements; Harris replied, “yes, that it absolutely, is something that is within this bill.” Members also pressed whether the bill covers 1099 contractors and vendors. Harris said the statutory definition in the bill treats a natural person who performs a service as an employee for pay-stub purposes, which the sponsor said would include some 1099 workers. Members agreed to seek clarification and possible amendment on the contractor/vendor distinction before full committee.
Representative Vaughn raised whether enforcement should sit with the Department of Labor or the Department of Commerce and Insurance, and said he would research which agency’s enforcement mechanisms are more appropriate before full committee. Representative Harris said the attorney general’s office indicated it was not the appropriate enforcement body. The committee clerk recorded the vote as seven ayes, zero nos; House Bill 13,84 will move to the Commerce Committee.
The transcript shows specific procedural details for compliance: an employee who does not receive a required statement may make a written (including electronic) request and the employer must provide the paycheck stub within 10 days of that request. Committee members asked for a clearer delineation between vendors (invoiced providers) and workers whose services are directed by the payer; the sponsor and members said they would work to refine that language before full committee.
