Environment (Recycling)

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.

HB 951, the "Clean Energy and Jobs Act," creates two main programs to support renewable energy and sustainable business practices in Tennessee. It establishes a Clean Energy Workforce Training Grant Fund to provide grants for workforce development programs in clean energy, administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Additionally, it offers a 30% tax credit for renewable energy businesses (like solar or wind companies) and small businesses (with 50 or fewer employees) that purchase systems or equipment to develop renewable energy or implement eco-friendly practices (such as recycling or energy-efficient manufacturing). The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and is currently under review by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.

HB 798 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to post its existing catalog of materials about source reduction and recycling on the department's public website. This bill directly affects the Department of Environment and Conservation by mandating online accessibility of these resources. The key provision is a simple administrative change: making the catalog available online without altering the content or creating new programs. The bill amends several sections of Tennessee law to implement this specific website posting requirement.

SB 269, the "Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act," requires producers of packaging materials to join a producer responsibility organization (PRO) that manages recycling, reuse, and composting programs for covered packaging. It directly affects packaging manufacturers and distributors (excluding specific exemptions like medical or long-term storage packaging) by mandating their financial and operational involvement in waste diversion systems. Key provisions establish a statewide PRO to fund local recycling infrastructure, divert packaging waste from landfills, and recover materials for a circular economy - creating jobs while requiring producers to cover costs for collection and processing. The bill excludes certain packaging types (e.g., medical products, beverage containers under future deposit systems) and defines "covered services" to include curbside collection and drop-off centers for households, schools, and small nonprofits.

HB 1266 requires metals recycling facilities in Tennessee to post a visible notice at **every public entrance** (not just a general location) informing sellers that they must obtain a signed written acknowledgment before transferring dangerous materials. This affects facilities that accept metals from the public, specifically ensuring sellers are notified about the requirement for written confirmation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1403 and related chapters to update the posting location requirement. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and is a procedural change to existing criminal law.

SB 862 requires metals recycling facilities in Tennessee to post a visible notice about transferring dangerous materials at every public entrance, rather than just in a general conspicuous location. This change directly affects all metals recycling facilities that accept materials from the public. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 39-17-1403 to specify that the notice must be readily visible to individuals selling materials at each entrance. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.