Tennessee § 65-21-114 - Toll-free telephone service within counties.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 65-21-114 — Toll-free telephone service within counties., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 65-21-114. Toll-free telephone service within counties.
Any telephone call made between two (2) points in the same county in Tennessee shall be classified as toll-free and shall not be billed to any customer. This section shall apply to all companies or entities providing telephone service in this state as public utilities, including, but not limited to, telephone companies regulated by the Tennessee public utility commission. However, this section does not apply to any telephone company which is prohibited by federal law from providing countywide service in a particular county. Nothing in this section is intended to modify or repeal the rate-making and telephone regulatory authority of the commission or the right of telephone companies to earn a fair rate of return. Acts 1995, ch. 183, § 1; 2017, ch. 94, §§ 54, 55. Compiler's Notes. Pursuant to Acts 1995, ch. 305, the Tennessee public service commission, formerly referred to in this section, terminated July 1, 1996. The commission's powers under this section were transferred as of that date to the Tennessee regulatory authority. The reference has been changed to reflect that change. Amendments. The 2017 amendment, in (b), substituted “Tennessee public utility commission” for “Tennessee regulatory authority”; and in (c), substituted “the commission” for “the authority”. Effective Dates. Acts 2017, ch. 94, § 83. April 4, 2017. Attorney General Opinions. The statute is constitutional, except if it is applied to a long distance telephone carrier under circumstances where the carrier does not receive reasonable remuneration for the service it is required to provide, OAG 01-115, 2001 Tenn. AG LEXIS 106 (7/20/01). Constitutionality of T.C.A. § 65-21-114 mandating county-wide calling. OAG 14-32, 2014 Tenn. AG LEXIS 33 (3/18/14).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 65-21-114
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 65-21-114 cover?
Section 65-21-114 ("Toll-free telephone service within counties.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 65-21-114?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 65-21-114" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 65-21-114 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.