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

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Waste Management

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 Jan 16, 2025

SB 132: Energy - As introduced, establishes a regulatory framework for solar energy facilities in this state. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7, Chapter 51 and Title 65, Chapter 17.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for commercial-scale solar energy facilities (over 5MW) in Tennessee. It defines "solar energy facility" to include equipment like arrays, inverters, and storage systems, while excluding small residential installations. Key provisions require 3.5 times the array width as setbacks from property lines and exempt facilities built before July 1, 2025. Local governments may adopt their own siting rules by that date, applying to new projects and expansions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes regulatory framework for commercial solar facilities, enabling renewable energy infrastructure development while exempting pre-2025 projects and allowing local siting rules.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes regulatory framework for commercial solar energy (clean energy), promoting renewable infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel reliance, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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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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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1397: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, requires the department to create and maintain an informational tool on the department's website that provides data related to the presence of facilities that are required to submit toxic release inventory data to the environmental protection agency. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 59; Title 60; Title 68 and Title 69.

HB 1397 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to create a public online tool on its website by January 2026. The tool will let residents search for facilities within a 5-mile radius of their address that report chemical releases to the EPA under federal law, including pending construction or expansion projects. It will also allow users to sign up for notifications about new applications near their location and must be updated within 10 business days of receiving new data. This directly affects residents seeking information about potential chemical exposure risks and businesses subject to toxic release reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires public access to toxic release data, enhancing transparency for pollution monitoring and community awareness per EPA reporting requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 702: Environmental Preservation - As introduced, enacts the "Climate Resiliency Fund Act." - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 5; Title 9; Title 60; Title 67 and Title 68.

SB 702 creates the "Climate Resiliency Fund" to finance projects addressing climate change impacts in Tennessee. It requires fossil fuel businesses (coal, oil, gas) operating between 1995 and 2025 to pay cost recovery fees based on their greenhouse gas emissions into the fund. The fund will support climate adaptation projects like flood protections, infrastructure upgrades, and healthcare programs, with priority given to communities designated as "environmental justice focus populations" (low-income, high-minority, or limited English proficiency areas). The bill defines specific eligible projects, including nature-based solutions, stormwater system improvements, and resilience planning for vulnerable infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes emissions-based fees on fossil fuel businesses to fund climate projects, creating new state revenue for budget allocation and climate adaptation programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Climate Resiliency Fund financed by fossil fuel emissions fees to fund climate adaptation projects prioritizing environmental justice communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection Environmental Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 521: Taxes, Privilege - As introduced, reduces the rate of tax on bottled soft drinks and barrels of beer; changes the distribution of the revenue from such taxes; provides for the eventual repeal of such taxes. - Amends TCA Title 57, Chapter 5 and Title 67, Chapter 4.

HB 521 reduces the tax on beer from $4.29 to $2.00 per barrel and lowers the tax on bottled soft drinks from 1.2% to 0.9% of gross receipts. The bill redirects 50% of the beer tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs and 40% of the soft drink tax revenue to recycling grants for materials like aluminum and plastic. It requires annual reports on fund usage and sets a sunset provision: both taxes will be repealed by July 1, 2028, or upon enactment of mandatory container deposit laws. The bill directly affects beverage manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces tax rates on beer and soft drinks (tax relief) and redirects revenue to public programs, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects beer and soft drink tax revenue to recycling grants and highway litter prevention programs, directly funding environmental initiatives.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRedirects 50% of beer tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance and protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Recycling Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 994: Solid Waste Disposal - As introduced, changes from March 31 to February 1, the date by which each region must submit its annual report to the commissioner of environment and conservation for the immediately preceding calendar year that includes data on collection, recycling, transportation, disposal, public costs, and other information deemed relevant to solid waste planning and management. - Amends TCA Title 68 and Title 69.

HB 994 changes the deadline for Tennessee regions to submit annual solid waste reports from March 31 to February 1 each year. The bill requires regions to provide data on collection, recycling, transportation, disposal, public costs, and other relevant solid waste management information to the Environment Commissioner. This applies directly to all Tennessee regions responsible for waste planning and management under state environmental laws. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter the reporting requirements themselves.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates detailed annual reporting on recycling/disposal data for environmental oversight, strengthening waste management transparency under TCA Title 68/69.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Waste Management

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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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