Republican Governor Bill Haslam is pictured in this file photo.NASHVILLE – The Senate approved Gov. Bill Haslam’s proposed overhaul of the on a partisan 20-13 vote.
The bill changes the current four-member full-time board into a five-member part time board. It also adds a full-time executive director.
An amendment by Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, sought to change the TRA into a three-member board with a full-time director failed on a 12-20 vote.
Berke said the regulatory authority has an outsize impact on water and gas rates paid by tens of thousands of Hamilton Countians since the Tennessee-American Water Co. and Chattanooga Gas are regulated by the TRA. It needs full-time directors, he said.
Berke’s amendment got 12 yes votes and 20 noes. Among those voting against it was Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson.