Environment

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 896: Administrative Procedure (UAPA) - As enacted, generally prohibits a governmental agency from adopting a rule or establishing numeric criteria or numeric limitations applicable to a contaminant, pollutant, hazardous substance, solid waste, or hazardous waste that relates to drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, contaminated site remediation, air quality, or solid or hazardous waste handling unless certain conditions are met. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 5.

HB 896, the "Sound Science in Regulations Act," prohibits Tennessee environmental agencies from creating new rules on drinking water, air quality, hazardous substances, or waste handling unless they meet strict scientific standards. It requires agencies to base regulations on "best available science" that is reliable, unbiased, and published in peer-reviewed journals with independent verification. The law applies only to new rules stricter than federal standards, effective July 1, 2025, and excludes existing rules or those required by federal law. This directly affects agencies like the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation when developing new environmental regulations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits new environmental regulations stricter than federal standards, requiring stringent scientific validation that delays or blocks protections for water, air, and waste management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation Water Quality

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 258: Water - As enacted, clarifies that if a point-of-entry treatment device is installed in a facility solely to soften hard water and, because of the installation of such a device, the house, building, or complex of buildings meets the definition of a public water system under the Tennessee Safe Drinking Water Act of 1983, then the facility constitutes a consecutive system, and is required to monitor the influent and finished water for hardness, alkalinity, and pH on a quarterly basis, and sodium on an annual basis, and report the results to the department of environment and conservation within 15 days of the end of the reporting period. - Amends TCA Title 68.

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.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts water softening facilities from public water system monitoring requirements, reducing regulatory oversight on water quality under environmental protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 670: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, decreases from 450 to 400 feet from the usual banks of a Class II or Class III scenic river, the maximum area within which development is limited. - Amends TCA Title 11.

HB 670 would reduce the buffer zone for development near Class II and Class III scenic rivers in Tennessee from 450 feet to 400 feet from the river banks. This change would directly affect property owners and developers in these areas by narrowing the area where construction or other development is restricted. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Section 11-13-108(a)(2), to update the distance limit for scenic river protections. The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, but was withdrawn the following day.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces scenic river buffer zone from 450 to 400 feet, weakening development restrictions and environmental protections near waterways.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces scenic river buffer zones from 450 to 400 feet, allowing more development (including housing) in previously restricted areas. This facilitates housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Property Development

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 801: Codes - As enacted, clarifies that, as of July 1, 2025, the roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code for low-sloped roofs do not apply to the 2021 International Code Council adoption; authorizes the state fire marshal to promulgate rules to that effect. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 120.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRemoves mandatory energy efficiency requirements for low-sloped roofs, weakening building standards that promote energy conservation per the International Energy Conservation Code.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves energy efficiency roof requirements (solar reflectance/thermal emittance), weakening building energy standards that reduce urban heat and energy use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar Conservation

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 882: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, prohibits the department from regulating farming activities involving top soil, rock removal, or the building of a pond when the activities are conducted in an area that is less than three acres in size, and the property on which the activities occur has greenbelt classification. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Title 13; Title 43; Title 44; Title 64; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

HB 882 prevents Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation from regulating certain farming activities on small properties. Specifically, it exempts topsoil handling, rock removal, and pond construction on properties under three acres that have "greenbelt" classification under state law. This exemption applies only to land already designated as agricultural, forest, or open space under the 1976 Agricultural, Forest and Open Space Land Act. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, changing how farming operations are regulated on qualifying small farms.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts farming activities from environmental regulation, weakening oversight for soil, water, and land use practices under greenbelt classification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1072: Water Pollution - As introduced, prohibits the department of environment and conservation from applying criteria that will result in the classification of real property as a wetland if the property is prior converted cropland that is exempt from classification as a wetland under federal law. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 4 and Title 69.

HB 1072 prohibits Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation from classifying prior converted cropland as wetlands if federal law already exempts that land from wetland classification. This directly affects agricultural landowners who have converted wetlands to cropland, preventing potential state regulatory burdens on land already federally exempt. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 4 and Title 69 to require state agencies to follow federal exemptions. The key provision ensures state wetland rules align with federal policy for these properties.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents state regulation of federally exempt cropland, reducing wetland protections and weakening environmental oversight per federal exemptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 281: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, prohibits the department from regulating farming activities involving top soil, rock removal, or the building of a pond when the activities are conducted in an area that is less than three acres in size, and the property on which the activities occur has greenbelt classification. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Title 13; Title 43; Title 44; Title 64; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

SB 281 exempts small-scale farming activities on properties under three acres with greenbelt classification from regulation by Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation. Specifically, it prohibits oversight of topsoil handling, rock removal, or pond construction on such properties. This exemption applies only to land classified as agricultural under Tennessee's 1976 greenbelt program (TCA Title 67). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends multiple environmental and agricultural code sections to implement this change.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts small farming activities from environmental oversight, reducing regulatory protections for soil/water management per TCA Title 67 greenbelt classification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 1194: Codes - As enacted, clarifies that, as of July 1, 2025, the roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code for low-sloped roofs do not apply to the 2021 International Code Council adoption; authorizes the state fire marshal to promulgate rules to that effect. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 120.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts low-sloped roofs from energy efficiency standards (solar reflectance/thermal emittance), weakening building code requirements effective 2025.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves energy efficiency requirements for roofs that reduce cooling energy use and emissions, weakening environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar Conservation

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 895: Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As introduced, removes the two-mile buffer between class II scenic rivers and new and expanded landfill sites. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 13 and Title 68.

HB 895 removes a requirement that new or expanded landfill sites must be located at least two miles away from designated Class II scenic rivers in Tennessee. This bill directly affects landfill developers and communities near these protected waterways by eliminating a buffer zone designed to limit development close to sensitive river environments. The bill achieves this by deleting specific provisions in Tennessee Code (Sections 68-211-118, 68-212-120, and 68-212-223) that previously enforced the two-mile restriction. The change would allow landfills to be built closer to scenic rivers without needing to comply with this distance rule. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been voted on.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves buffer protecting scenic rivers from landfills, weakening environmental safeguards by eliminating a conservation requirement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Waste Management

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 113: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As enacted, requires an agreement or contract entered into between the commissioner and a county health department for the department to implement subsurface sewage disposal requirements to include authority for the commissioner to issue a variance in certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221, Part 4.

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.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill grants state authority to override stricter local sewage disposal rules with variances, weakening local environmental protections and deregulating standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation