Committee approves temporary exemption to allow Chattanooga antique car auction without dealer license

Senate Transportation and Safety Committee members voted unanimously to advance a bill allowing Chattanooga’s annual high‑end antique car auction to operate without a motor vehicle dealer license for this year’s event.

The bill authorizes a limited, time‑bound exemption so the Chattanooga festival and its accompanying auction can be held without dealer licensing requirements that would otherwise apply to vehicle sales. Senator Gordon Howe, presenting for the bill, said the festival has produced “over a million dollars in extra sales tax revenues for the state and for Hamilton County” and described the auction as a short, high‑value event that requires a narrow waiver.

The measure limits the exemption to the single event window and includes an automatic repeal date: “They only have it on October. On October 22, this act is repealed,” Howe said during his remarks. He told the committee the language is narrowly tailored so the exemption applies only for the festival period and does not create a permanent change to dealer licensing rules.

Committee Chair Massey asked for a positive vote and the clerk recorded an 9‑0 vote in favor; the committee reported the bill to the calendar.

The committee did not adopt any amendments to expand or make the exemption permanent during the hearing. Supporters said the authorization is intended to be temporary and limited to the festival’s dates.

The bill will be placed on the Senate calendar for further consideration.

Votes at a glance: Senate bill (presented as “Senate bill 2 13” in the hearing) — Committee vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays; outcome: passed and reported to calendar.