HB 543 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Sewage - As enacted, prohibits a municipal sewer system or utility district that has operated a sewerage system outside of the corporate boundaries of the city or town for 25 years or more from ceasing operation of the sewerage system outside the corporate boundaries so long as the sewerage system maintains sufficient capacity; requires a utility system that provides wastewater service to provide a connection to the owner of real property for wastewater service when the utility system meets certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 35; Title 7, Chapter 82 and Title 68, Chapter 221.

HB 543 prevents cities, towns, and utility districts from ending wastewater service outside their official boundaries if they've provided that service for 25 years or more, as long as the system maintains sufficient capacity. The bill requires a Tennessee advisory commission study to confirm capacity levels before any discontinuation can occur. It also mandates that utility systems must connect property owners to wastewater service when specific requirements are met. This law directly affects communities and property owners relying on long-standing sewer infrastructure beyond municipal limits.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Last action May 15, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

280
Passed
Total votes 28
Apr 17, 2025
D Democratic7
7 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican21
21 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
14
Committee
17
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025
lower
Apr 17, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (28-0)
house
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/9/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee to 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee to 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Kevin Vaughan
Kevin Vaughan
RRepublican
TN
95