Senate Bill 1595 and House Bill 1673 propose significant amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding utility regulation, focusing on streamlining the consolidation process of utility systems. The bill deletes subsections (j) and (k) from Section 7-34-115 and the last sentence of subdivision (a)(2) in Section 7-82-202. It also modifies Section 7-82-202(g) to include "utility authority" alongside "municipality or county," thereby expanding the range of entities involved in utility regulation. New definitions and procedures for utility system consolidation are introduced, emphasizing public hearings and the approval of county mayors, while establishing criteria for identifying "ailing" utility systems and frameworks for mergers or consolidations to ensure financial stability.

Additionally, the bill mandates that members of a utility system's governing body complete continuing education requirements, including twelve hours within one year of their initial election or appointment and six hours in subsequent three-year periods. It outlines the process for requesting extensions and specifies that the comptroller of the treasury will provide online courses and approve curricula. The bill also establishes penalties for non-compliance, including ineligibility for payment or reappointment. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the governance, training, and accountability of utility systems in Tennessee, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 7-34-115, 7-82-202, 7-82-202(g), 7-82-307, 7-82-308, 7-82-401, 7-82-608, 7-82-702(b)(1), 7-82-702, 7-82-703, 7-82-704, 7-82-704(c), 7-82-702(a)(3)(A)(iv), 9-21-408, 68-221-605, 68-221-1305