Utilities, Utility Districts - As enacted, clarifies that prior to the acquisition of assets of a natural gas utility regulated by the Tennessee public utility commission by a new owner or any other change in control of such assets, the commission has exclusive authority to approve the acquisition or change in control, including the assignment of franchise rights, upon a finding by the commission that such transfers of assets or control is in the public interest. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 69.

HB 796 requires Tennessee public utilities (water, gas, and electric providers) to allow customers to hire their own contractors for installing utility infrastructure, rather than mandating the utility do the work. Utilities may set reasonable construction and material specifications but cannot require specific vendors or manufacturers. The bill also sets a 30-day timeline for utilities to review customer plans (capping fees at $1,000) and states that unapproved plans are deemed acceptable if a licensed engineer certifies compliance within that timeframe. This directly affects utility customers seeking contractor choice and utilities managing infrastructure installation processes.