Tennessee § 65-4-203 - Basis for granting certificate — Notice of hearing.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 65-4-203 — Basis for granting certificate — Notice of hearing., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 65-4-203. Basis for granting certificate — Notice of hearing.
The commission shall not grant a certificate for a proposed route, plant, line, or system, or extension thereof, which will be in competition with any other route, plant, line, or system, unless it shall first determine that the facilities of the existing route, plant, line, or system are inadequate to meet the reasonable needs of the public, or the public utility operating the same refuses or neglects or is unable to or has refused or neglected, after reasonable opportunity after notice, to make such additions and extensions as may reasonably be required under this part. In all proceedings under this section, the commission shall give at least ten (10) days' notice to the authorities of, and the public utilities operating in, the municipality or territory affected. This section shall not apply to telecommunications service providers. Acts 1923, ch. 87, § 2; Shan. Supp., § 1843a3; Code 1932, § 5504; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 65-417; Acts 1995, ch. 305, § 20; 1995, ch. 408, § 5; 2017, ch. 94, § 51. Compiler's Notes. This section is suspended by necessary implication by § 65-15-107 insofar as it relates to issuance of certificates to motor carriers. See Tennessee-Carolina Transp., Inc. v. Pentecost, 211 Tenn. 72, 362 S.W.2d 461 (1962). Amendments. The 2017 amendment substituted “The commission” for “The authority” at the beginning of (a); and substituted “the commission” for “the authority” in (b). Effective Dates. Acts 2017, ch. 94, § 83. April 4, 2017. Textbooks. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 5 Tenn. Juris., Carriers, § 58. Law Reviews. Report on Administrative Law to the Tennessee Law Revision Commission, 20 Vand. L. Rev. 777 (1967). Attorney General Opinions. Authority as to certification of competing local telecommunications providers, OAG 94-144, 1994 Tenn. AG LEXIS 170(12/16/94).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 65-4-203
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 65-4-203 cover?
Section 65-4-203 ("Basis for granting certificate — Notice of hearing.") 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 § 65-4-203?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 65-4-203" (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 § 65-4-203 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.