Tennessee Senate Bill SB0864

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Chaptered: 5/2/23
• Passed: 5/2/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-105, relative to fees for service and handling mail orders of plates and decals.

Impact

The bill provides an official framework for county clerks to charge fees for mail order services, stipulating that the fees for processing plates will be set at five dollars ($5.00) and two dollars ($2.00) for decals. This provision allows for minor adjustments to the fees in response to any increase by the United States Postal Service in a given year, ensuring that county clerks can maintain operational efficiency while offering this service. Given Tennessee's population and the potential volume of mail orders, this could have significant implications for revenue generation at the county level.

Summary

Senate Bill 0864 proposes amendments to Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-105, concerning fees associated with the mail order service for vehicle registration plates and decals. The bill specifically allows county clerks to establish a mail order service for reviewing and renewing vehicle registrations, where applicants can apply for and receive renewal certificates and plates or decals via the United States Postal Service. This change aims to streamline the registration renewal process for residents of Tennessee, allowing them to manage their registrations more conveniently, particularly for those who may have difficulty accessing physical offices.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SB 0864 has been positive, particularly among lawmakers focusing on enhancing citizen access to government services. Supporters argue that the bill will facilitate the renewal process and improve overall customer satisfaction with the registration system. However, there are concerns regarding the additional fees that county clerks can impose, which some fear may disproportionately affect low-income residents who may already struggle with registration costs.

Contention

There are notable points of contention regarding the balance between convenience for residents and the financial implications of added fees. While proponents highlight the benefits of streamlining the renewal process, critics raise alarms about the potential burden on vulnerable populations. The legislation represents a push towards modernizing government services through postal solutions but does so while establishing an associated cost, which may limit its accessibility to all residents.