Utilities, Utility Districts - As enacted, clarifies that prior to the acquisition of assets of a natural gas utility regulated by the Tennessee public utility commission by a new owner or any other change in control of , the official text

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                             PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 532

                                                     SENATE BILL NO. 717

                                                              By Taylor

                                            Substituted for: House Bill No. 796

                                                     By Vaughan, Powers

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 69,
          relative to utility infrastructure.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 65-4-113, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:

                    (f) Notwithstanding a municipal charter, ordinance, regulation, or franchise agreement
         to the contrary, prior to the acquisition of assets of a natural gas utility regulated by the
          commission by a new owner or any other change in control of such assets, the commission
          has exclusive authority to approve the acquisition or change in control, including the
          assignment of franchise rights, upon a finding by the commission that such transfers of
          assets or control is in the public interest. Any commission order on or after October 1, 2025,
          finding such transfer to be in the public interest, shall effect the transfer, including franchise
          rights, from one (1) regulated franchisee to another. Upon such transfer, all terms and
          conditions applicable to any existing natural gas service franchise apply to the successor
          entity.

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 717

PASSED:  February 9, 2026

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                                    RANDY

                              SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

                                  •

                              CAM~IN SEXTON, SPEAKER
                              HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this l]tJ.. day of (donAo  2026

~ I L L LEE, GOVERNO;