Environment

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1231: State Government - As introduced, prohibits a nongovernmental or intergovernmental entity in this state from infringing upon or restricting private property rights without due process or an individual's constitutional rights by virtue of pursuing a policy recommendation originating from or traceable to the United Nations, a subsidiary entity thereof, or an international policymaking organization; makes it an offense for the state or an official or political subdivision in this state to infringe upon or restrict private property rights without due process or an individual's constitutional rights in pursuing United Nations or international policymaking organizational policy. - Amends TCA Section 4-1-422.

SB 1231 prohibits Tennessee state and local governments (including counties, cities, and school districts) from adopting or implementing policies that restrict private property rights without due process, specifically when those policies originate from or are traceable to the United Nations, its subsidiaries, or other international policymaking organizations like the World Health Organization or World Economic Forum. The bill explicitly targets policies such as the UN’s Agenda 21 (1992), the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (2015), and net-zero emissions plans, banning state funding or agreements with entities promoting these initiatives. It allows individuals to sue governments for violations, with courts able to void noncompliant policies, award damages, and issue orders for compliance. Violations may also trigger criminal charges for officials under Tennessee’s "official oppression" statute.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTargets UN policies like Agenda 21 (environmental component), restricting state adoption of international environmental frameworks without due process.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 283: Water Pollution - As introduced, removes requirement that installers of subsurface sewage disposal systems pay a renewal fee as a condition to renewing a septic system installer license; maintains initial permit and fee requirement for such installers. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221.

SB 283 would remove a renewal fee requirement for septic system installers in Tennessee. Specifically, it amends state law to prevent the department from requiring installers in good standing to pay a fee when renewing their license, while maintaining the initial fee needed to obtain the license. This change directly affects current and future licensed septic system installers who must renew their credentials. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves renewal fee for septic installers, potentially reducing oversight of water pollution controls while maintaining initial fees, weakening enforcement mechanisms for environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

signed · Tennessee · House May 8, 2025

HB 612: Water Pollution - As enacted, expands from wetlands to all areas that an aquatic resource alteration permit may apply to the areas for which the department of environment and conservation is required to exempt from compensatory mitigation an amount of area equal in size to the area for which mitigation would not be required if the permit applicant qualified for coverage under a general permit, if the only factor that disqualifies an applicant for an aquatic resource alteration permit from having the activities for which a permit is sought covered under a general permit is the size of the area that the permit will apply to. - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 3.

HB 612 modifies Tennessee's water pollution permitting rules to exempt certain applicants from requiring compensatory mitigation. Specifically, if a project applicant would qualify for a general permit (covering routine activities) but is disqualified solely due to the project's size, the Department of Environment and Conservation must exempt them from needing to replace lost wetland or aquatic habitat. This applies to all areas covered by aquatic resource alteration permits, not just wetlands. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, streamlining permits for smaller projects that otherwise meet general permit criteria. This directly affects developers, contractors, and landowners seeking permits for water-related projects.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts projects from compensatory wetland mitigation requirements, reducing environmental protections for aquatic habitats.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 664: Water Pollution - As enacted, expands from wetlands to all areas that an aquatic resource alteration permit may apply to the areas for which the department of environment and conservation is required to exempt from compensatory mitigation an amount of area equal in size to the area for which mitigation would not be required if the permit applicant qualified for coverage under a general permit, if the only factor that disqualifies an applicant for an aquatic resource alteration permit from having the activities for which a permit is sought covered under a general permit is the size of the area that the permit will apply to. - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 3.

SB 664 modifies Tennessee's water permit rules to exempt certain applicants from compensatory mitigation requirements. If a project applicant is denied coverage under a simplified "general permit" solely because of the project's size (not other factors), the Department of Environment and Conservation must exempt them from needing replacement wetlands or habitat for an area equal to what would be exempt under the general permit. This directly affects developers or landowners seeking permits for activities impacting water resources who are disqualified only by project scale. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to permits under Title 69, Chapter 3 of Tennessee law.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts developers from compensatory wetland/habitat mitigation requirements, weakening conservation mandates under water pollution rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

Track

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

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 880: Administrative Procedure (UAPA) - As enacted, generally prohibits a governmental agency from adopting a rule or establishing numeric criteria or numeric limitations applicable to a contaminant, pollutant, hazardous substance, solid waste, or hazardous waste that relates to drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, contaminated site remediation, air quality, or solid or hazardous waste handling unless certain conditions are met. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 5.

SB 880, effective July 1, 2025, requires Tennessee environmental agencies to base new regulations on "best available science" for drinking water, air quality, hazardous substances, and waste handling. It prohibits agencies from adopting stricter rules than federal standards (or new rules without federal equivalents) unless the science is reliable, unbiased, peer-reviewed, and demonstrates a causal link between exposure and human health harm. The law applies only to new regulatory actions after July 2025, not existing rules or federal compliance requirements. It directly affects agencies like the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation when creating new environmental standards.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits Tennessee from adopting stricter environmental regulations than federal standards without stringent scientific proof, limiting state-level protections and prioritizing federal baseline.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Drinking Water Water Quality

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

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

Track

passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 527: Pest Control - As introduced, specifies that a manufacturer or seller of a pesticide registered with the commissioner of agriculture and with the environmental protection agency under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is not liable in a civil action related to the labeling of the pesticide, if the pesticide bore a label approved by the EPA under FIFRA at the time of sale. - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 8.

SB 527 exempts pesticide manufacturers and sellers from civil lawsuits related to labeling, provided the pesticide was registered with both Tennessee's commissioner of agriculture and the EPA under federal law (FIFRA) and bore an EPA-approved label at the time of sale. The bill specifically removes liability for product safety claims tied to labeling, as long as the pesticide met all federal and state registration requirements. It does not apply if the pesticide was manufactured or sold in violation of Tennessee law or FIFRA. This change directly affects pesticide companies and could influence how product liability cases are handled in Tennessee courts.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves liability for pesticide labeling, reducing accountability for environmental safety under FIFRA, opposing stronger environmental protections.85% confidence

Track