SB 2231 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Gas, Petroleum Products, Volatile Oils - As enacted, makes various changes concerning oil and gas drilling operations; specifies procedural requirements for review of certain administrative actions. - Amends TCA Title 59; Title 60 and Title 68.

SB 2231 updates Tennessee's oil and gas drilling regulations by revising key definitions (replacing "crude petroleum" with "oil" and clarifying "well" to include production boreholes), reducing required buffer zones from streams from 0.5 miles to 0.25 miles, and mandating permits for surface disturbances and drilling operations. It requires operators to submit and comply with approved plans, with non-compliance risking suspension, permit revocation, or fines. These changes directly affect oil and gas operators, producers, and drilling companies conducting well operations across Tennessee. The bill modernizes procedural requirements while maintaining environmental and operational safeguards for drilling activities.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
7
Committee
3
Apr 14, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 82, Nays 1, PNV 10
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 2/18/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson
RRepublican
TN
27