Subcommittee adopts amendment and advances HB 796 to full Commerce to streamline investor-owned gas company transfers

The Business & Utilities Subcommittee amended and approved House Bill 796 on a voice vote and advanced it to the full Commerce Committee.

House Bill 796, sponsored by Chairman Vaughn, was amended with amendment 010429 and the sponsor told members the measure “applies only to investor owned natural gas companies who are regulated by TPUC, the Tennessee Public Utility Commission.” Vaughn said the bill excludes municipal gas systems and utility districts and is intended to let TPUC approval of acquisitions or changes of control cover franchise transfers so companies need not appear before each city to amend local franchise agreements.

After short discussion the Chair put the amendment and then the bill to a vote. The Chair announced, “The ayes have it,” and declared the amendment adopted; following the final vote the Chair again announced the bill passed and said it will move on to full Commerce. The transcript records the passage but does not include a numerical roll-call tally in the recorded segments.

The bill’s sponsor framed the change as a streamlining measure for investor-owned natural gas companies; the amendment code recorded on the calendar is 010429. No municipal franchise changes or exceptions beyond those stated in the sponsor’s explanation were recorded in the discussion.

Next steps: HB 796 will be scheduled for consideration by the full Commerce Committee. The amendment and sponsor comments were contained in the subcommittee record and are reflected in the committee’s report to full Commerce.