HB 2402 requires Tennessee local government chief executives (like mayors or county commissioners) to order all flags at public buildings to fly at half-mast for at least one day whenever a first responder from their local emergency management agency dies in the line of duty. This bill amends Tennessee law to establish this mandatory flag protocol for such deaths, directly affecting all local governments with emergency management agencies. The key provision specifies that the half-mast display must occur for a minimum of one full day following the death of a qualifying first responder. The bill focuses solely on this ceremonial recognition, with no other policy changes or funding provisions.
HB 2535 amends Tennessee's oil and gas regulations (TCA Titles 59, 60, and 68) by updating definitions and operational requirements for drilling and production. Key changes include reducing the required buffer zone around streams from 0.5 miles to 0.25 miles for well sites, clarifying that "operator" includes those managing well operations, and strengthening permit conditions requiring compliance plans before drilling. The bill also revises terminology (e.g., replacing "crude petroleum" with "oil") and specifies that failure to follow approved plans may result in permit suspension or penalties. These adjustments directly affect oil and gas operators, regulators, and landowners near drilling sites.
HB 1133 amends Tennessee's tax code to allow nuclear energy production facilities to claim pollution control tax credits for specific machinery and equipment, expanding an existing program previously limited to wind energy. This change directly affects nuclear power plants in Tennessee by providing them with a new financial incentive to invest in pollution control technology. The bill modifies Section 67-4-2004(9)(A) of the Tennessee Code to explicitly include nuclear facilities alongside wind energy sources. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 758 amends Tennessee law to require that when a nonprofit industrial development corporation dissolves, its land (acreage) must be transferred to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on promoting industrial development and new nuclear development. This change directly affects dissolved industrial development corporations and specifies the recipient nonprofit for their land transfers. The bill modifies Section 7-53-317(a)(2) of Tennessee Code to replace prior transfer rules with this new requirement. The policy change, effective May 5, 2025, ensures land from dissolved industrial development entities supports ongoing industrial and nuclear development initiatives.
HB 1143 clarifies that local governments (counties, cities) cannot restrict public utilities from using certain energy sources when creating regulations about clean or renewable energy. It requires all local energy requirements to include 19 specific sources as permissible, including solar, wind, nuclear power, natural gas, and biomass - regardless of how the local rule is worded. This directly affects municipal and county regulations governing utility energy sources and ensures utilities can comply by using any of the listed options. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections to define "clean or green energy" broadly and makes local rules that exclude these sources legally invalid.
Senate Bill 1194 exempts low-sloped roofs in Tennessee from the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code's requirements for roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance, effective July 1, 2025. This change applies to all new construction and renovations involving low-sloped roofs, removing a specific energy efficiency standard that previously applied. The bill amends Tennessee state law to reflect this exemption and authorizes the state fire marshal to establish implementing rules. The exemption takes effect upon the bill's enactment.
HB 801 removes a specific energy efficiency requirement for low-sloped roofs in Tennessee. It amends state law to clarify that the International Energy Conservation Code's roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance rules no longer apply to such roofs starting July 1, 2025. This change directly affects builders, developers, and homeowners constructing or renovating low-sloped roofs across Tennessee. The bill achieves this by adding a new provision to Tennessee Code Title 68, Chapter 120, eliminating the requirement without creating new rules. The law became effective April 3, 2025, with the policy change taking effect on July 1, 2025.
