Committee outcomes: commissions pay timing advances, junk-fee bill fails, consumer-protection changes pass

The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee took several formal actions on Feb. 24, advancing budgets and voting on multiple bills.

- SB2024 (Chairman Reeves): The bill, which would allow employers to pay commission-based compensation on the last day of the month or later rather than by the fifth day of the succeeding month, was moved out of committee on a recorded voice vote (8 ayes). Reeves described the change as providing employers "more flexibility and transparency in paying their employees."

- SB1991 (Chairlady Lamar)  Junk Fee Prevention Act: Lamar said the bill would require businesses to show the total price upfront and eliminate surprise mandatory fees at checkout. The committee adopted an amendment but, after debate, the bill failed on a recorded vote with eight no votes and one aye (amendment adopted earlier but final passage failed). Committee discussion covered document fees, taxes and how the bill defines mandatory fees.

- SB1735 (Chairman Stevens): The bill clarifies and updates the attorney general's authority related to consumer-protection enforcement, adds a narrow online-publisher exception and makes certain pricing-disclosure provisions enforceable by the attorney general. Committee counsel and an AG deputy answered detailed questions about advertising illegal out-of-state products and a prior class-action prohibition; the bill passed the committee (8 ayes, 1 no).

- SB1827 (Vice Chair Taylor, "Frank Nicely Legal Tender Act"): The bill would recognize the contractual use of precious metals as legal tender within Tennessee; members and counsel discussed federal coinage authority, valuation methods (spot vs. face value) and tax implications. Sponsor Toby Meyer said the intent is to create a path for recognizing gold and silver coin within the state. The committee rolled the bill for two weeks to allow further drafting.

In addition to bill votes, the committee moved the ECD, Department of Financial Institutions and TPUC budgets to the finance committee for further consideration.