Environment

signed · Tennessee · House May 1, 2026

HJR 1394: Memorials, Recognition - Tennessee Pollinator Week -

This House Joint Resolution officially recognizes Tennessee Pollinator Week, which is observed annually from June 22 to 28. The bill honors the importance of pollinators like bees and birds for agriculture, ecosystems, and economic development in Tennessee. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the state's commitment to protecting pollinator habitats.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes Pollinator Week to honor pollinators vital for ecosystems and agriculture, signaling state commitment to protecting habitats.75% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2205: Water - As enacted, requires the department of environment and conservation to add water system projects located in counties having a population of less than 57,000 according to the 2020 census, or a subsequent census, to the priority list for consideration for loans from the water system revolving loan fund. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221.

HB 2205 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to prioritize water system projects in rural counties (defined as those with under 57,000 residents based on the 2020 or later census) for loans from the water system revolving loan fund. This directly affects smaller counties struggling to fund water infrastructure improvements. The bill amends existing law to add these rural counties to the priority list, ensuring their projects are considered first for available loan funding. It does not create new money but changes how existing loan funds are allocated.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrioritizes rural water infrastructure funding to improve environmental protection and water quality, aligning with conservation and pollution control goals under environmental policy.92% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HJR 1396: Memorials, Recognition - Trapping, effective wildlife management tool -

This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally commends regulated trapping as an effective tool for wildlife management and conservation in Tennessee. It highlights how trapping helps maintain balanced ecosystems, protects endangered species, and controls populations of overabundant animals that cause damage to habitats. The resolution also acknowledges the economic and ecological benefits provided by licensed trappers, including contributions to the state's economy and support for federal wildlife programs. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not change existing laws but instead recognizes the role of trapping in responsible natural resource stewardship.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly commends trapping as a tool for wildlife management, ecosystem balance, and conservation, directly supporting environmental protection goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 1133: Taxes - As enacted, allows nuclear energy production facilities to seek pollution control tax credits for certain machinery and equipment. - Amends TCA Title 67.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly expands tax credits for nuclear facilities under pollution control program, directly modifying tax code to provide financial incentive for compliance with environmental standards.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax credits for nuclear pollution control tech, incentivizing clean energy infrastructure investment. Nuclear aligns with low-carbon energy policies per topic description.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands pollution control tax credits to nuclear facilities, incentivizing reduced emissions through financial support for pollution control technology.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 438: Solid Waste Disposal - As enacted, creates the advisory task force on solid waste to examine and review issues related to solid waste; authorizes the department of environment and conservation to accept voluntary contributions, and to apply for grants, from private companies for grants for recycling infrastructure, recycling projects, and composting. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 11; Title 13; Title 20; Title 28; Title 39; Title 49; Title 54; Title 55; Title 59; Title 62; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

SB 438 creates an advisory task force to examine solid waste management issues in Tennessee and authorizes the Department of Environment and Conservation to accept voluntary contributions and apply for private grants for recycling infrastructure, recycling projects, and composting initiatives. The bill requires the department to publish a report on its website regarding these efforts. It amends multiple sections of Tennessee law related to waste management, including provisions for grant funding and reporting. The bill became effective on May 9, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates advisory task force for solid waste management and authorizes funding for recycling/composting infrastructure, directly advancing environmental protection through waste reduction initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 667: Solid Waste Disposal - As enacted, creates the advisory task force on solid waste to examine and review issues related to solid waste; authorizes the department of environment and conservation to accept voluntary contributions, and to apply for grants, from private companies for grants for recycling infrastructure, recycling projects, and composting. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 11; Title 13; Title 20; Title 28; Title 39; Title 49; Title 54; Title 55; Title 59; Title 62; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

HB 667 creates a state advisory task force to examine solid waste management issues and authorizes Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to accept private company donations and apply for grants for recycling infrastructure, projects, and composting. The bill requires the department to publish its findings online and amends multiple environmental codes to support these provisions. It directly affects the state department, private waste management companies, and communities managing recycling efforts. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after becoming Public Chapter 429.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates task force and funds recycling/composting infrastructure, reducing landfill waste and promoting environmental conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 207: Agriculture, Dept. of - As enacted, establishes a fund for the development and implementation of programs that benefit Tennesseans by preserving farmland and forestland, including a grant program for conservation easements. - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 1, Part 1.

SB 207 creates a new "farmland preservation fund" within Tennessee's state budget to support the long-term protection of agricultural and forested land. The fund provides grants to help farmers and foresters place permanent conservation easements on their property - legal agreements that prevent development while allowing farming or forestry activities. These grants can be awarded directly to landowners or to qualified nonprofit organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups) that hold the easements, with requirements including proof of the easement agreement and ongoing agricultural use. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will manage the fund, and unspent money will carry forward annually instead of reverting to the general budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state budget fund for farmland conservation grants, allocating state resources to preserve agricultural land through program funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSB 207 establishes a farmland preservation fund with grants for conservation easements, directly protecting agricultural/forest land from development and conserving natural resources per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill preserves farmland via conservation easements, restricting land development that could otherwise be used for housing. This limits housing development, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 541: Water Pollution - As enacted, requires the division of water resources in the department of environment and conservation, in collaboration with U.S. army corps of engineers, as necessary, to annually report information concerning compensatory mitigation provisions in aquatic resource alteration permits issued during the prior fiscal year to the governor, the comptroller of the treasury, and the chairpersons of the commerce committees; and to establish four categories of isolated wetlands for regulatory purposes; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 4; Title 66; Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 4 and Title 69.

HB 541, now law as Public Chapter 437, requires Tennessee's environmental agency to align state wetland regulations with federal standards. It prohibits the state from classifying or regulating property as a wetland unless it is federally classified as such, directly affecting property owners and developers seeking permits. The bill also mandates annual reports to state leaders on compensatory mitigation (replacing damaged wetlands) for permits issued the previous year. Additionally, it establishes four new categories for regulating isolated wetlands, though specific definitions aren't detailed in the provided text. The law aims to reduce regulatory overlap between state and federal wetland rules.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits state from classifying/regulating wetlands unless federally classified, weakening state environmental protections and reducing regulatory authority beyond federal standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 670: Water Pollution - As enacted, requires the division of water resources in the department of environment and conservation, in collaboration with U.S. army corps of engineers, as necessary, to annually report information concerning compensatory mitigation provisions in aquatic resource alteration permits issued during the prior fiscal year to the governor, the comptroller of the treasury, and the chairpersons of the commerce committees; and to establish four categories of isolated wetlands for regulatory purposes; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 4; Title 66; Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 4 and Title 69.

SB 670 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to annually report on compensatory mitigation for aquatic permits to state officials, and establishes four regulatory categories for isolated wetlands. It also adds a new rule preventing the state from classifying property as a wetland unless it meets federal standards. The bill directly affects developers seeking permits for wetland alterations and state agencies managing environmental regulations. Key changes include mandatory reporting to the governor and legislature, and aligning state wetland rules with federal classifications, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts state wetland classification to federal standards, limiting regulatory flexibility and preventing stricter state protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment