Tennessee Senate Bill SB0173

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55; Title 62; Title 67 and Title 68, relative to manufactured homes.

Impact

The implications of SB0173 could be significant in terms of enhancing regulations and safety measures involved in the transportation of manufactured homes across Tennessee. By requiring the Department of Transportation to monitor and report on transporters, the bill aims to ensure a more standardized and safer approach to this aspect of housing transport. This could potentially reduce incidents of accidents or unsafe driving practices in the industry and bolster accountability among transporters.

Summary

Senate Bill 173 (SB0173) introduces amendments to various titles of the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically focusing on manufactured homes and their transportation. The bill mandates that the Department of Transportation submit an annual written summary by March 15th each year to the relevant house and senate committees. This summary is intended to include data on placards issued to transporters of manufactured homes and to report any instances of unsafe or erratic driving that are noted through a designated telephone number listed on the placards. The objective is to enhance oversight and improve public safety regarding the transportation of manufactured homes.

Contention

While the text of the bill does not explicitly present any contentious issues, the requirement for reporting on driving behaviors may raise concerns among transporters regarding privacy or undue scrutiny. Stakeholders in the manufactured home industry may express concerns over increased regulatory burdens and the potential costs associated with compliance. The effectiveness of the reporting mechanism and how data is utilized could also lead to discussions about the balance between public safety and operational freedom within the transportation sector.