Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Privatisation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate passes bill allowing private buyers of public utilities to retain franchise rights
Summary
The Senate adopted an amendment and passed SB 717, which clarifies that when a public utility is sold to a private entity the buyer retains the franchise rights previously held by the public utility; the measure passed on final reading with no recorded opposition.
The Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill 717 on third and final consideration after the Senate State and Local Government Committee’s amendment was adopted.
Chairman Briggs explained the amendment, saying: “If you have a public utility that's sold to a private entity, the private entity would retain the same franchise rights that the public utility had.” The amendment was moved and carried; the Senate then adopted the bill as amended. The clerk recorded 32 ayes and no nays on the final passage.
Sponsor Senator Taylor moved for final adoption and thanked committee members; no further debate was recorded. The amendment and final passage clarify the franchise-rights treatment when public utilities are privatized, as outlined by committee language.
