Environment

passed both · Tennessee · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2172: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, extends from two years to 27 months the amount of time that the commissioner has to designate the boundaries of a scenic river area following the addition of a river segment to the state scenic rivers system. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 13 and Title 68, Chapter 211.

SB 2172 extends the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation commissioner to designate boundaries for new scenic river segments from two years to 27 months after a river segment is added to the state scenic rivers system. This change directly affects the commissioner and state conservation planning processes by providing additional time for boundary designations. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 11-13-108(a) and references Title 68, Chapter 211 to implement this timeline adjustment. The policy change focuses solely on administrative timing without altering conservation standards or funding.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends deadline for scenic river boundary designation, facilitating more thorough conservation planning under state scenic rivers system without weakening protections.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1590: 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.

SB 1590 designates specific river segments - including the entire Buffalo River and most of the Duck River - as protected Class II pastoral river areas, while adding four new waterways (Beaverdam Creek, Lick Creek, Piney River, and Swan Creek) to this protected status. It removes previous county exclusions for the Buffalo River and modifies the Duck River segment to exclude only the Normandy Reservoir area managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The bill also updates public outreach requirements by changing references from "Duck River" to "any river" in state law. These changes directly affect communities and landowners along the designated waterways, particularly in Hickman, Williamson, and Dickson counties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates rivers as protected Class II pastoral areas, expanding conservation for natural waterways and removing development exclusions to preserve natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1746: Food and Food Products - As introduced, prohibits the sale, delivery for sale, holding for sale, or offering for sale of food that contains forever chemicals, unless the food is labeled as containing forever chemicals and discloses the known or possible health effects of the chemical; defines forever chemicals as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 53.

HB 1746 prohibits the sale, delivery, holding for sale, or offering for sale of food containing forever chemicals (PFAS) unless the product is labeled to disclose the presence of PFAS and the known or possible health effects. It defines "forever chemicals" as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including specific compounds like PFOA and PFOS. The law directly affects food manufacturers and sellers in Tennessee, requiring clear labeling for PFAS-containing products. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits PFAS (environmental pollutants) in food without labeling, reducing exposure to persistent chemicals harming ecosystems and health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2006: Sewage - As introduced, increases, from a Class C to Class B misdemeanor, the classification of offenses involving unlawful disposal of sewage if the person commits the offense while engaged in the business of removing accumulated wastes from subsurface sewage disposal systems. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 68, Chapter 221.

SB 2006 increases penalties for businesses that illegally dispose of sewage from septic systems. It upgrades the offense from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor when the violation occurs during the business of removing accumulated waste from septic systems. This directly affects septic tank cleaning and waste removal companies that fail to follow proper disposal procedures. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee laws in Title 39 and Title 68, Chapter 221.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for illegal sewage disposal (Class C to B misdemeanor), directly strengthening pollution control regulations for septic waste removal businesses.92% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1818: Food and Food Products - As introduced, prohibits the sale, delivery for sale, holding for sale, or offering for sale of food that contains forever chemicals, unless the food is labeled as containing forever chemicals and discloses the known or possible health effects of the chemical; defines forever chemicals as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 53.

SB 1818 prohibits selling, delivering, holding for sale, or offering for sale of food containing forever chemicals (PFAS) unless the product is labeled to disclose the presence of these chemicals and their known or possible health effects. The bill directly affects food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors in Tennessee who sell products containing PFAS, including chemicals like PFOA and PFOS. It requires clear labeling of PFAS presence and health disclosures, effective July 1, 2026. This policy change aims to increase consumer transparency about specific synthetic chemicals in food products.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits PFAS (environmental pollutants) in food without labeling, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and strengthening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 1824: 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.

This bill changes Tennessee's property tax rules for agricultural, forest, and open space land (greenbelt classification). When owners sell such land, they no longer face liability for back taxes (rollback taxes) that would otherwise apply. Instead, the buyer must submit a new application to maintain the tax break, but the seller won't owe back taxes regardless of whether the buyer renews the classification. The rule takes effect July 1, 2026, for property sales on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates rollback tax liability for sellers of greenbelt land, providing tax relief for agricultural landowners.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMaintains tax incentives for conservation land (agricultural/forest/open space), preventing development by removing seller rollback tax liability and requiring buyer renewal of greenbelt status.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Conservation Forestry

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 1832: Computers and Electronic Processing - As introduced, requires high performance computing (HPC) facility operators to devote 50 percent of the computing and data processing output of the facility for a public benefit; requires HPC facility operators to produce an annual report of the facility's energy consumption and carbon footprint; requires such operators to conduct an annual internal compliance audit and submit to an audit upon request by certain governmental entities. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8 and Title 68.

SB 1832 requires private high-performance computing (HPC) facilities in Tennessee using over 50 megawatts monthly to dedicate 50% of their computing output to public benefits like education, health, or environmental improvements. Operators must annually report energy use, carbon footprint, and how public benefits were delivered, and conduct internal compliance audits. Non-compliance risks license suspension, with reports posted publicly by state agencies. The bill targets large private HPC facilities (excluding government-owned ones), focusing on measurable environmental and community impacts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires HPC operators to report carbon footprint and dedicate 50% computing output to environmental improvements, directly advancing climate and pollution control goals.92% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2017: Game and Fish Laws - As enacted, clarifies that local governmental entities shall not regulate the manner and means of taking wildlife, including the discharge of a firearm while lawfully hunting, and that such taking is regulated pursuant to rules promulgated and proclamations issued by the fish and wildlife commission. - Amends TCA Section 39-17-1314; Section 70-1-206 and Section 70-4-107.

HB 2017 prevents local governments (cities, counties, towns) from regulating how wildlife is taken, including firearm discharge during lawful hunting. It clarifies that only the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission sets rules and proclamations for hunting methods, amending Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1314, 70-1-206, and 70-4-107. The bill ensures hunters using Commission-approved methods during designated seasons can legally hunt with firearms in areas designated by the Commission. This shifts regulatory authority from local entities to the Commission, taking effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents local environmental regulations on hunting, removing potential conservation measures and centralizing control with state commission, weakening local protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 1999: Energy - As introduced, enacts the "Data Center, Artificial Intelligence, and Clean Transition Tariff Accountability Act." - Amends TCA Title 7 and Title 65.

SB 1999 creates a "Clean Transition Tariff" (CTT) requiring large data centers, AI facilities, and other energy-intensive operations (with 25+ megawatts of demand or focused on data/AI/cloud computing) to pay for new clean energy infrastructure and grid upgrades needed to support their growth. The bill ensures these costs are borne solely by the large users, preventing rate increases for residential and small business customers. It establishes a voluntary tariff system approved by the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, mandating that new clean power for these facilities must be "additional" and not funded through general ratepayers. The law also requires local utilities to enforce this cost responsibility and report on large-load impacts annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes targeted tariff on large energy users to fund clean grid infrastructure, preventing residential/small business rate hikes, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires large energy users to fund clean energy infrastructure via CTT, preventing residential rate hikes; directly advances clean energy investment as per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires large data centers/AI facilities to fund clean energy infrastructure via CTT, directly promoting environmental protection through clean energy investment and grid upgrades.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 2070: Energy - As enacted, creates the "Tennessee Energy Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 60 and Title 68.

HB 2070, the "Tennessee Energy Freedom Act," protects fossil fuel industry activities by limiting legal liability for emissions. It prohibits lawsuits or penalties related to emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas operations (defined as "covered activities") unless the emissions violate federal environmental laws like the Clean Air Act. The bill restricts liability claims to "in-jurisdiction products" - meaning only emissions from fossil fuels actually shipped into Tennessee - and bars claims based on emissions from products sold outside the state. This directly affects fossil fuel companies operating in Tennessee and any entities seeking to hold them liable for emissions.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProtects fossil fuel operations by limiting emissions liability, opposing regulatory measures that would hold them accountable for pollution.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentLimits legal liability for fossil fuel emissions, restricting enforcement of environmental protections except when violating federal law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Air Quality