Tennessee Senate Bill SB0470

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, relative to registration of trailers.

Impact

The bill's amendments will affect the registration landscape for various types of trailers. It specifies that trailers utilized for personal transportation, such as those used for boats or household purposes, must be registered under the amended guidelines. However, notable exemptions continue for truck trailers that are registered separately and for trailers employed in business operations. Additionally, the legislation preserves exemptions for agricultural trailers, ensuring that farmers can utilize certain trailers without facing registration burdens, reflecting an acknowledgment of the agricultural sector's needs.

Summary

Senate Bill 0470 seeks to amend the registration requirements for trailers in Tennessee, specifically addressing privately owned trailers and semitrailers. The bill outlines adjustments to the existing Tennessee Code Annotated, particularly Title 55 on the registration of trailers. Notably, the bill removes the provision allowing owners of certain privately owned trailers who opt for registration to maintain their exemption status, thereby standardizing the registration process.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SB 0470 may focus on the implications it carries for both the business community and private owners of trailers. While some may view the amendments as a necessary step toward a more organized registration system, concerns might arise regarding how the removal of certain exemptions could impact trailer owners who previously benefitted from less stringent regulations. The balance of state regulation versus local rights to regulate vehicle registration will likely be a point of contention as legislators consider this bill's final form.