Environment

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2686: Environmental Preservation - As introduced, enacts the "Climate Resilient Tennessee Act." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 68.

SB 2686 creates the "Office of Resilience" within the governor's office to coordinate Tennessee's climate resilience efforts. The office will develop a statewide resilience plan, track progress on climate goals, coordinate with state agencies and local governments, and provide technical guidance for climate-related projects. It does not directly regulate businesses or residents but requires state departments to support these coordination efforts. The bill establishes a Chief Resilience Officer appointed by the governor to lead these initiatives, focusing on planning for climate threats like flooding and extreme heat.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Office of Resilience to develop statewide climate plan, coordinate efforts, and track goals - proactively advancing environmental protection through structured planning and coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 2597: Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - As enacted, authorizes the executive director of the wildlife resources agency to enter into agreements with local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing wildlife management laws and rules; creates a criminal offense for feeding black bears under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 70.

SB 2597 allows Tennessee's wildlife agency to partner with local police to enforce wildlife laws, requiring written agreements that specify which rules officers can enforce (like bear feeding prohibitions) and mandating regular reports on enforcement actions. It creates a Class B misdemeanor for knowingly feeding black bears in areas where such feeding is prohibited, punishable by a $250+ fine, while unintentional feeding due to unsecured food leads to a written warning for first offenses and fines for repeat violations. The law directly affects residents in designated bear areas and local law enforcement agencies participating in the enforcement partnerships. It takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to violations occurring after that date.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnforces bear feeding prohibitions to protect wildlife populations, directly advancing conservation efforts through strengthened enforcement of wildlife management laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2183: Public Funds and Financing - As introduced, requires that 10 percent of the payments paid to or retained by the state from the Tennessee valley authority in lieu of taxes be allocated to the wildlife resources fund and used for boating and wildlife resources purposes. - Amends TCA Title 11; Title 67; Title 69 and Title 70.

SB 2183 redirects 10% of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) payments in lieu of taxes that the state receives or retains to the Wildlife Resources Fund. This funding must be used specifically for boating and wildlife conservation projects managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to state finance (Title 11), TVA payments (Title 67), wildlife funding (Title 69), and the wildlife resources fund (Title 70). It takes effect July 1, 2026, ensuring a dedicated source of funding for state wildlife and boating infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 10% of existing TVA payments (state revenue) to wildlife conservation fund, ensuring dedicated budget allocation for public services per bill's purpose.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects 10% of TVA payments to Wildlife Resources Fund for boating/wildlife conservation projects, directly advancing natural resource protection and conservation efforts per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2653: Business and Commerce - As introduced, creates the "Tennessee Data Center Impact Review Act." - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 10; Title 62; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 69.

SB 2653, the "Tennessee Data Center Impact Review Act," requires data centers in Tennessee with a power capacity exceeding 20 megawatts to obtain a permit before operation starting January 1, 2027. Operators must submit detailed information on water usage, sources, and impacts on residential, agricultural, and public water supplies, along with conservation plans. The review process prioritizes residential water access over industrial use and mandates public hearings, with the board evaluating wastewater discharge and coordination with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). This act directly affects large data center developers and operators seeking to build or expand facilities in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates water impact assessments, conservation plans, and prioritizes residential water access over industrial use for data centers, directly protecting water resources and conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2681: Energy - As introduced, enacts the "Bring Your Own Generation Act." - Amends TCA Section 39-17-1002; Section 67-6-102 and Title 68.

SB 2681, the "Bring Your Own Generation Act" (BYOG), requires large data centers and AI facilities in Tennessee with peak demand over 100 megawatts to generate 50% of their electricity from new onsite clean energy sources. It imposes a 100% surcharge on these facilities to fund grid upgrades for clean energy, with the revenue deposited into the Tennessee Environmental Protection Fund. The bill also prohibits using fossil fuel power purchase agreements for state economic incentives or state-subsidized fossil fuels for primary power at qualified data centers. This bill directly affects major data center operators and aims to accelerate clean energy integration without shifting costs to other utility customers. The bill is pending in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee as of March 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 100% surcharge on large data centers to fund clean energy grid upgrades via Tennessee Environmental Protection Fund, directly allocating tax revenue to a specific program.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 50% onsite clean energy for large facilities, funds grid upgrades via surcharge, prohibits fossil fuel agreements - directly advances renewable energy adoption and infrastructure investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 50% onsite clean energy for large facilities, funds grid upgrades via surcharge into Environmental Protection Fund, prohibits fossil fuel incentives for state economic incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Renewable Energy

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2133: Solid Waste Disposal - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Secondary Aluminum Waste Management Act." - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 62, Chapter 9 and Title 68.

HB 2133 creates the "Tennessee Secondary Aluminum Waste Management Act" to regulate disposal of aluminum recycling byproducts. It directly affects landfill operators and aluminum recycling facilities by prohibiting mixing secondary aluminum waste (like dross or furnace dust) with regular trash and requiring dedicated landfill units for this waste. The law mandates new rules for landfill permits, liner design, and environmental protection, with the Department of Environment and Conservation developing these standards. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to all such waste disposal after that date.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits mixing aluminum waste with regular trash, mandates dedicated landfill units, and enforces stricter environmental protection rules for waste disposal per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Waste Management

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died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 2651: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, clarifies process and sanctions when a county's or municipal solid waste region's solid waste plan is noncompliant under the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991; defines noncompliance; outlines sanctions. - Amends TCA Section 68-211-816.

SB 2651 clarifies the rules for counties and municipal solid waste regions that fail to follow Tennessee's Solid Waste Management Act. It defines four specific ways a local entity can be noncompliant (like missing plan deadlines or failing to implement approved plans) and outlines a clear, step-by-step penalty system. If noncompliance continues for 30 days after a warning, the entity loses access to state solid waste management funds; after 60 days, it faces daily civil penalties up to $5,000. This bill directly affects local governments managing waste, ensuring they must meet state standards to receive funding or avoid financial penalties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies enforcement of solid waste compliance with penalties for noncompliance, strengthening regulatory adherence under environmental protection law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Waste Management

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 2560: Energy - As enacted, creates the "Tennessee Energy Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 60 and Title 68.

SB 2560, the "Tennessee Energy Freedom Act," protects fossil fuel industry activities within Tennessee by limiting legal liability for emissions. It defines "covered activities" as exploration, production, and use of coal, oil, and natural gas, and restricts lawsuits about emissions to cases involving products actually shipped *into* Tennessee ("in-jurisdiction products"). The bill prohibits courts or governments from imposing liability for emissions unless federal environmental laws (like the Clean Air Act) are violated, and allows companies to seek court rulings to establish their emissions calculations. This directly affects fossil fuel companies operating in Tennessee and could shield them from out-of-state lawsuits alleging emissions harm. The bill is currently pending before the Senate Energy Committee.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProtects fossil fuel industry by limiting emissions liability and restricting lawsuits, opposing clean energy regulation and environmental accountability.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill limits legal liability for fossil fuel emissions, restricts lawsuits on emissions, and shields industry activities - directly weakening environmental protections per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Air Quality

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 4, 2026

HB 2215: Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - As enacted, authorizes the executive director of the wildlife resources agency to enter into agreements with local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing wildlife management laws and rules; creates a criminal offense for feeding black bears under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 70.

HB 2215 allows Tennessee's wildlife agency to partner with local police to enforce wildlife laws, specifically for public safety issues like bear feeding. It directly affects residents and visitors in areas where officials have posted notices prohibiting bear feeding. The bill creates a Class B misdemeanor for intentionally feeding black bears in these designated zones, punishable by a $250 fine, while unintentional feeding due to unsecured food results in a warning for first offenses and a $250 fine for repeat violations. Key mechanisms include requiring detailed reporting by police when enforcing these rules and limiting enforcement agreements to specific wildlife safety concerns. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates Class B misdemeanor for feeding bears in designated areas to prevent human-wildlife conflicts, conserving bear populations and aligning with wildlife conservation under environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 2572: Local Government, General - As introduced, creates the "Tennessee Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund," with monies from the fund to be expended for grants and loans to counties, municipalities, state agencies, and nongovernmental entities for improvement and restoration projects; creates the board of trustees for the trust fund. - Amends TCA Title 68 and Title 70.

SB 2572 creates the "Tennessee Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund" to provide grants and loans for conservation projects. The fund will support counties, municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofit conservation groups for projects like improving parks/trails, restoring wetlands, protecting wildlife habitat, and enhancing public access to outdoor recreation areas. Monies in the fund can be carried forward annually (not lapsing) with strict limits: the board can spend no more than 1% of the fund on its operations, and the finance department no more than 3%. Projects must align with defined conservation values, such as water quality protection, habitat preservation, or military installation buffering. This bill directly affects local governments and conservation organizations seeking funding for outdoor resource management.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new trust fund allocating state monies for conservation grants, advancing fiscal support for public outdoor projects through dedicated budgeting.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Tennessee Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund for conservation projects including wetlands restoration, wildlife habitat protection, and park improvements, directly funding environmental stewardship activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Water Quality

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