Legislative Update — April 5, 2021

Please see attached a comprehensive bill report and legislative calendar for next week below.

REALTOR^®-championed HB716/SB895, which prohibits local governments in counties in which the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies from enacting or enforcing regulations that conflict with, or are in addition to, the Act, has passed in both Chambers unanimously and will head to Governor Lee for signature.
TREC proposed rule change, which changes permission from property owner to permission from the listing agent or listing broker to advertise listings of another licensee, was given a positive recommendation from the Joint Government Operations Committee will take effect April 22, 2021.
HB732/SB1033, which as amended, will allow domestic violence victims who believe their safety is in danger to terminate lease agreements under certain circumstances, is set for Senate Commerce & Labor Committee and House Commerce Committee this week. Tennessee REALTORS^® worked with the sponsors on an amendment to this legislation in an effort to restrict tenants being able to take unfair advantage of any such provision.

The following bills opposed by Tennessee REALTORS^® were defeated last week:

HB1451, which limits foreign ownership of agricultural property in this state, has been sent to Summer Study.
SB525, which mandates carbon monoxide alarms and tamper resistant smoke detectors be required for one and two-family rental units, has been deferred until 2022.
SB899, which would allow people to be granted a waiver from certain laws or rules by the Commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, has been taken off notice.
SB814, which enacts the “Tennessee Source of Income Protection and Fair Access to Housing Act,” which prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to a person based solely on a person’s income, has been taken off notice.
SB820/HB919, which prohibits a landlord from refusing to enter into a rental agreement with a prospective tenant solely based upon the tenant being previously evicted during a public health emergency related to COVID-19, has been taken off notice.