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 1274 updates Tennessee's environmental fee structure and regulates coal combustion residuals (like ash from power plants). It increases fees for regular landfill permits ($10,000) and annual maintenance ($15,000), while excluding coal ash disposal units from these charges. The bill requires new liners and caps for coal ash disposal facilities (except for specific uses like agricultural or engineering applications) and allows the Department of Environment and Conservation to recover regulatory costs for coal ash units through capped fees. These changes directly affect power plants, waste management facilities handling coal ash, and environmental regulatory programs.
HB 612 modifies Tennessee's water pollution permitting rules to exempt certain applicants from requiring compensatory mitigation. Specifically, if a project applicant would qualify for a general permit (covering routine activities) but is disqualified solely due to the project's size, the Department of Environment and Conservation must exempt them from needing to replace lost wetland or aquatic habitat. This applies to all areas covered by aquatic resource alteration permits, not just wetlands. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, streamlining permits for smaller projects that otherwise meet general permit criteria. This directly affects developers, contractors, and landowners seeking permits for water-related projects.
SB 113 amends Tennessee law to give the state Department of Environment and Conservation commissioner authority to issue variances (exceptions) for subsurface sewage disposal systems, overriding stricter local requirements in certain cases. It directly affects county health departments implementing these systems and property owners needing sewage solutions. The key provision allows the commissioner to grant variances that supersede local rules, while requiring these variances to be recorded with the county register of deeds. This change streamlines state oversight for sewage systems without requiring local approval.
SB 258 clarifies that facilities installing only water softening devices (for hard water) do not become public water systems under Tennessee law, even if the device causes them to meet the definition. It specifically excludes such softening systems from public water system requirements, meaning these facilities are not required to monitor water quality unless they otherwise qualify as a public water system. If a softening system causes a facility to meet the public water system definition, it must monitor hardness, alkalinity, pH quarterly and sodium annually, reporting results to the Department of Environment and Conservation within 15 days of each quarter. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68 and takes effect July 1, 2025.
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.
SB 527 exempts pesticide manufacturers and sellers from civil lawsuits related to labeling, provided the pesticide was registered with both Tennessee's commissioner of agriculture and the EPA under federal law (FIFRA) and bore an EPA-approved label at the time of sale. The bill specifically removes liability for product safety claims tied to labeling, as long as the pesticide met all federal and state registration requirements. It does not apply if the pesticide was manufactured or sold in violation of Tennessee law or FIFRA. This change directly affects pesticide companies and could influence how product liability cases are handled in Tennessee courts.
HB 1112 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally inject, release, or disperse chemicals into Tennessee's atmosphere with the purpose of altering weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It also criminalizes supplying materials for such activities. The law directly affects individuals or entities conducting weather modification within Tennessee, imposing a $100,000 fine per violation in addition to misdemeanor penalties. Enforcement will be handled by state agencies and prosecutors investigating credible reports of violations. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing weather modification and criminal penalties, effective July 1, 2025.
