Tennessee House Bill HB2270

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 65, relative to utility excavations.

Impact

The adjustments put forth in HB 2270 will directly affect the current processes surrounding utilities' excavation permits and notifications. By increasing the notification timeline, the bill seeks to facilitate better planning and coordination between utility companies and local governments, aiming to ensure that any excavation-related disruptions are minimized. This could lead to improved communication and readiness of local authorities to handle subsequent public works and community responses.

Summary

House Bill 2270 proposes amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically focusing on sections related to utility excavations. The bill aims to alter the promptness required for utility companies to notify local governments regarding excavations. It proposes extending the notification period from fifteen to twenty calendar days. This change is expected to provide additional time for local authorities to prepare for and manage potential impacts caused by utility excavations in their jurisdictions.

Contention

While the bill appears to enhance operational timelines for utility companies, there may be concerns regarding the balance of interests between utility service providers and local entities responsible for infrastructure management. Potential arguments against the extended notification period might center on the urgency of certain utility operations that require faster communications to prevent disruptions. Stakeholders may debate whether twenty days is indeed adequate for decision-making at the local level or if it entangles utility operations in unnecessary bureaucratic delays.