Environment (Conservation)

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 1616: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Tennessee soil and water conservation commission to June 30, 2030. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 43, Chapter 14, Part 2.

HB 1616 extends the Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Commission's authorization until June 30, 2030, by amending two sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 43, Chapter 14, Part 2). It removes an existing expiration reference and sets a new end date, ensuring the commission can continue its work without interruption. This commission manages state soil and water conservation programs, directly affecting agricultural and environmental efforts across Tennessee. The bill is procedural, maintaining current operations without altering the commission's responsibilities or creating new policies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Commission's mandate, ensuring continuity of soil/water conservation programs that directly protect environmental resources and agricultural sustainability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1509: Water - As introduced, prohibits the department of environment and conservation from prohibiting a utility that provides drinking water from pumping or otherwise withdrawing water from natural waters for purposes of providing drinking water, including as a prerequisite to renewal of the utility's permit, unless the prohibition is required to comply with federal law. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 68, Chapter 221 and Title 69.

HB 1509 prevents Tennessee's environmental agency from blocking water utilities from pumping drinking water, unless federal law explicitly requires it. The bill specifically allows state action only when federal mandates (like the Safe Drinking Water Act) demand restrictions - not merely recommend them - and requires the agency to provide written notice citing the exact federal law if restrictions are imposed. It directly affects public water systems operated by local governments or regulated by Tennessee's utility board. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents state agency from imposing water restrictions beyond federal mandates, weakening environmental protections by limiting regulatory authority.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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died · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1846: Taxes, Real Property - As introduced, eliminates liability for rollback taxes on agricultural, forest, or open space land with a greenbelt classification when the land is sold; requires that a buyer of property with a greenbelt classification submit a new application to renew the property's greenbelt classification. - Amends TCA Section 11-14-307; Section 11-14-406; Section 11-7-109; Title 66; Section 67-4-409; Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 10 and Section 67-5-2402.

HB 1846 eliminates rollback tax liability when agricultural, forest, or open space land with a greenbelt classification is sold. The new buyer must submit a fresh application to maintain the special tax status, but the seller faces no tax penalties for the sale itself. This means buyers don't owe back taxes simply because they purchased land that previously had the greenbelt classification. The rule applies to property sales occurring on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill maintains greenbelt classification for environmental land by eliminating seller rollback taxes, encouraging preservation without direct environmental language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1559: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Tennessee soil and water conservation commission to June 30, 2030. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 43, Chapter 14, Part 2.

SB 1559 extends the legal existence of the Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Commission until June 30, 2030, by amending specific sections of Tennessee law. The bill directly affects the commission itself, ensuring its continued operation to support local soil and water conservation efforts. Key provisions include deleting an outdated reference in the code and adding a new definition to formally recognize the commission. This is a procedural extension to prevent the commission's automatic termination, not a change to its duties or funding.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Commission's operation until 2030, maintaining existing environmental protection efforts without weakening or defunding conservation programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1850: Environment and Conservation, Department of - 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.

HB 1850 establishes the "Climate Resiliency Fund" to finance climate adaptation projects in Tennessee. It requires fossil fuel businesses (defined as entities owning such operations during 1995-2026) to pay "cost recovery demands" into the fund, which will support projects like flood protections, infrastructure upgrades, and nature-based solutions. The fund prioritizes environmental justice communities - defined as census areas with high poverty, minority populations, or limited English proficiency - to address climate impacts disproportionately affecting these areas. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections to create this mechanism and define key terms like "climate change adaptation project."

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fossil fuel businesses to pay 'cost recovery demands' into a dedicated fund for climate adaptation projects, creating new revenue to finance public infrastructure and environmental justice initiatives.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires fossil fuel businesses to fund climate adaptation projects (flood protections, infrastructure) via 'cost recovery demands,' prioritizing environmental justice communities.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Climate Resiliency Fund financed by fossil fuel businesses to fund climate adaptation projects (flood protections, nature-based solutions) prioritizing environmental justice communities, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Environmental Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1510: Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As enacted, designates segments of the Buffalo River, Duck River, and certain other rivers and creeks as Class II pastoral river areas; expands certain public outreach requirements concerning scenic rivers. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 13.

HB 1510 designates specific segments of the Buffalo River, Duck River, and four creeks (Beaverdam, Lick, Piney, and Swan) as Class II pastoral river areas under Tennessee law. This directly affects communities and landowners near these waterways, particularly in Hickman, Williamson, and Dickson counties, by establishing new protections for their natural landscapes. The bill expands existing protections by including the entire Buffalo River (previously excluding some counties), the entire Duck River except the Normandy Reservoir segment, and adding the four new creek segments to the designated areas. It also broadens public outreach requirements to apply to "any river" instead of just the Duck River, requiring more community engagement for scenic river management. These changes aim to preserve the natural character of these waterways through formal legal designation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Buffalo/Duck Rivers as protected Class II pastoral areas, expanding natural landscape conservation under Tennessee law per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 665: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, requires the department to submit an annual report regarding the number of applications filed pursuant to the Water Quality Control Act; requires the department to include information on the mechanism of compensatory mitigation provided for in permits that are required to have a provision for adequate compensatory mitigation; requires additional information when the mechanism of compensatory mitigation is an in-lieu fee program or mitigation banking. - Amends TCA Title 69.

SB 665 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to submit annual reports starting July 2025 on water quality permit applications and the compensatory mitigation methods used in those permits. The report must track the number of permit applications and detail how developers offset environmental impacts - such as through wetland restoration projects, in-lieu fee programs, or mitigation banking - including specific financial details like fees collected or credits sold. This affects the department (which must prepare the reports), permit applicants (whose mitigation methods are tracked), and state officials (who receive the reports). The bill aims to increase transparency around how environmental damage from development is compensated, without changing existing permit requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates detailed annual reporting on compensatory mitigation methods (wetland restoration, fee programs) for water quality permits, ensuring environmental impacts are properly tracked and offset per regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 205: Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As introduced, designates certain portions of the Duck River and certain portions of various creeks as Class II pastoral river areas. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 13.

HB 205 designates specific segments of five waterways - including Beaverdam Creek, the Duck River in Hickman County, Lick Creek, Piney River, and Swan Creek - as Class II pastoral river areas under Tennessee law. This adds these defined stretches to the state’s protected natural areas, preserving their scenic and recreational value. The bill amends existing law to include these segments in the Class II classification, replacing a specific reference to the Duck River with broader language covering any river segment. It directly affects the designated river portions and communities along them, focusing on conservation without new regulations or funding. The legislation aims to maintain these areas' natural character as part of Tennessee’s scenic river system.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates waterways as protected Class II pastoral areas, preserving scenic/recreational value under natural areas preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 725: 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.

SB 725 would remove a two-mile buffer requirement that currently prohibits new or expanded landfills from being built within two miles of class II scenic rivers in Tennessee. This change would directly affect landfill operators and developers seeking to site facilities near these protected river areas. The bill deletes specific sections of state law (TCA Sections 11-13-111(b) and 68-211-118, 68-212-120, 68-212-223) that enforced the buffer. Consequently, landfills could be located closer to scenic rivers without the current setback.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves two-mile buffer protecting scenic rivers from landfills, weakening conservation standards and allowing closer landfill proximity to protected waterways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Waste Management

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 278: Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As introduced, designates certain portions of the Duck River and certain portions of various creeks as Class II pastoral river areas. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 13.

SB 278 designates specific river segments in Tennessee as Class II pastoral river areas, adding them to the state's scenic river preservation system. It directly affects the Duck River segment within Hickman County, plus Beaverdam Creek, Lick Creek, Piney River, and Swan Creek segments in Hickman, Williamson, and Dickson counties. The bill amends existing law to formally include these waterways under Class II protection, which limits development and commercial activities to preserve natural character. This change ensures these designated river areas receive consistent preservation standards under Tennessee’s scenic river framework. The bill does not create new regulations but expands the current system to cover these additional segments.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates river segments as Class II pastoral areas, limiting development to preserve natural character and waterways, directly protecting environmental resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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