Tennessee House Bill HB0812

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/23
• Refer: 3/5/24
• Refer: 3/12/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 20, relative to civil procedure.

Impact

The amendment carried out by HB 812 would have a significant impact on the conduct of civil litigation in Tennessee. By shifting from 'business days' to 'calendar days', the bill could potentially streamline the timeline for processing legal documents and other procedural requirements in civil cases. This could alleviate delays in the legal process, making it easier for parties involved in lawsuits to track deadlines and adhere to legal obligations.

Summary

House Bill 812 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically modifying provisions related to civil procedure. The primary change proposed in the bill is to replace the term 'business days' with 'calendar days' in certain statutory references. This change is intended to create clearer and more consistent timelines for legal proceedings, ensuring that the timing of various civil actions is straightforward and unambiguous regardless of weekends or holidays.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding this bill appears to be generally supportive, with proponents highlighting its potential to enhance clarity in legal procedures. Legal professionals have expressed that the use of calendar days could reduce confusion related to deadlines connected to filing and responding to legal documents. There were no notable opposition comments found in the discussions, suggesting broad approval or acceptance of the change among lawmakers and legal practitioners.

Contention

While HB 812 is likely to be welcomed by many in the legal field as an improvement to procedural clarity, some may raise concerns regarding its implementation and the potential for any unintended consequences stemming from the change in how deadlines are calculated. In particular, the elimination of 'business days' may require adjustments in practices for those accustomed to the previous definitions. However, overall, the bill seeks to provide a more intuitive understanding of critical timelines in civil procedures.