Tennessee House Transportation Committee advances several bills, including hands‑free amendment
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Summary
The committee on Feb. 17 passed multiple transportation bills: HB1555 (hands‑free law amendment capping local court fees), HB1874 (clarifies hybrid EV definition), HB1546 (school bus driver interstate travel with controlled diabetes), HB6 (EV fee exemption for active out‑of‑state service members) and HB1691 (Upper Cumberland Airport authority term change).
The Tennessee House Transportation Committee voted Wednesday to advance several bills, including an amended hands‑free driving penalty measure and changes to airport authority terms.
Representative Slater introduced amendment 013323 to House Bill 1555 to cap local court costs and fees for hands‑free driving violations at 50% of routine moving‑violation costs. Slater told the committee the hands‑free violation is cited more than 12,000 times in the state and that the current statutory maximum for a first offense is $60 (a $50 fine plus $10 in court costs), which he said does not cover local court expenses. The committee approved adding the amendment, and the clerk recorded 3 ayes and 2 noes; the bill passed and was sent to finance.
The panel next approved House Bill 1874, which clarifies the hybrid‑electric vehicle definition in the Transportation Modernization Act to read that such a vehicle is “propelled by a combination of electric motor and another power source, like a combustion engine.” The sponsor said the Department of Revenue provided the language and that it aligns with federal definitions; the committee voted 16‑0 to send the bill to counting rules.
Representative McCallman presented House Bill 1546, a cleanup measure to allow school bus drivers on controlled diabetic medication to cross state lines while keeping their condition in control. An amendment (drafting code 12832) was added without changing the bill’s effect, and the committee approved the bill 18‑0, sending it to calendar and rules.
Representative Stevens’s House Bill 6 cleared committee on a 17‑0 vote. The bill would exempt active U.S. service members stationed out of state on military orders from the additional registration fee imposed on electric vehicles, aligning EV treatment with gas‑powered vehicles for those service members.
After the committee heard presentations from airport executives, Vice Chairman Butler moved to reconsider Item 5 and take up House Bill 1691. Representative Cheryl said HB1691 shortens the Upper Cumberland Airport authority term from five to four years to align with county election cycles; the committee approved the bill 17‑0 and sent it to counting rules.
The committee adjourned after completing its calendar.
