# Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-108: Additional powers of commissioner > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-108 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-108 - **Heading:** Additional powers of commissioner - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 56 / Chapter 8 / Section 56-8-108 ## Text (a) In addition to any other authority granted in this part, the commissioner shall have the authority to declare by rule certain acts to be unfair trade practices or unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance that are not specifically defined in this part. The commissioner may promulgate the rules by emergency rules upon making a finding that such is in the public interest. (b) The commissioner, at the rulemaking hearing, may administer oaths, and receive oral and documentary evidence. The commissioner shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, and require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence or other documents the commissioner deems relevant to the inquiry; provided, however, that in the case of depository institutions, the commissioner shall have the power to require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence or other documents that the commissioner deems relevant to the inquiry only on the insurance activities of the depository institution. No person shall be compelled to provide a document or disclose information that is privileged under statutory or common law. The commissioner may and, upon the request of any party, shall cause to be made a stenographic record of all the evidence and all the proceedings at the hearing. In case of a refusal of any person to comply with any subpoena or to testify with respect to any matter concerning which that person may be lawfully interrogated, the chancery court of Davidson County or the county where the person resides, on application of the commissioner, may issue an order requiring the person to comply with the subpoena and to testify. Any failure to obey any order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt. Acts 2008, ch. 1079, §§ 1, 9; 2009, ch. 566, § 12. (a) In addition to any other authority granted in this part, the commissioner shall have the authority to declare by rule certain acts to be unfair trade practices or unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance that are not specifically defined in this part. The commissioner may promulgate the rules by emergency rules upon making a finding that such is in the public interest. (b) The commissioner, at the rulemaking hearing, may administer oaths, and receive oral and documentary evidence. The commissioner shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, and require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence or other documents the commissioner deems relevant to the inquiry; provided, however, that in the case of depository institutions, the commissioner shall have the power to require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence or other documents that the commissioner deems relevant to the inquiry only on the insurance activities of the depository institution. No person shall be compelled to provide a document or disclose information that is privileged under statutory or common law. The commissioner may and, upon the request of any party, shall cause to be made a stenographic record of all the evidence and all the proceedings at the hearing. In case of a refusal of any person to comply with any subpoena or to testify with respect to any matter concerning which that person may be lawfully interrogated, the chancery court of Davidson County or the county where the person resides, on application of the commissioner, may issue an order requiring the person to comply with the subpoena and to testify. Any failure to obey any order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt. Acts 2008, ch. 1079, §§ 1, 9; 2009, ch. 566, § 12. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-101 Short title - Purpose - Authority of commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-102 Part definitions - Preemption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-103 Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-103.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-104 Unfair trade practices defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-104.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-105 Unfair claims practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-105.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-106 Lending of money, extension of credit, or renewal - Conditions prohibited - Disclosures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-106.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-107 Power of commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-107.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-108 Additional powers of commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-108.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-109 Violations of part or rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-109.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-110 Promulgation of rules and orders - Review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-110.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-111 Powers of commissioner additional to existing law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-111.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-112 Voluntary wellness or health improvement program using incentives or rewards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-112.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-113 Remedies and sanctions for breach of, or for alleged unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with, a contract of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-113.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-114 Analyzing risk factors of customers - Prohibited considerations - Notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-114.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T56_C8_S56-8-108. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.