Environment

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 · 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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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 1724: Water Pollution - As introduced, requires local approval of a tipping fee for application of sludge from water treatment plants onto agricultural lands, with proceeds earmarked for water treatment facilities, as a condition of such applications continuing in a locality; places a moratorium on certain permits in jurisdictions that do not provide such local approval. - Amends TCA Section 1-3-105; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13, Chapter 7; Title 43; Title 68 and Title 69.

HB 1724 requires counties, municipalities, and metropolitan governments to approve sludge application from wastewater treatment plants onto agricultural land through a two-thirds vote resolution. It establishes a "tipping fee" per ton of sludge paid by wastewater facilities, with the revenue mandated to fund local wastewater treatment infrastructure. The bill places a moratorium on new or renewed sludge application permits in jurisdictions without such local approval, effective July 2026. This directly affects wastewater treatment operators, local governments, and agricultural landowners using sludge as fertilizer.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tipping fee revenue earmarked for wastewater infrastructure funding, directly advancing public service investment per budget/tax indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates local approval for sludge application, funds water treatment infrastructure via tipping fee, and enforces moratorium to prevent pollution from improper sludge disposal.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2008: 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.

SB 2008 establishes the "Climate Resiliency Fund" to finance climate adaptation projects across Tennessee. It requires fossil fuel businesses (like coal and oil operations) that existed between 1995 and 2026 to pay cost recovery charges into the fund. The fund will support concrete projects such as flood protections, infrastructure upgrades, nature-based solutions, and healthcare programs addressing climate impacts like extreme weather and heat waves. Priority funding is directed to environmental justice communities facing higher climate burdens due to income, race, or language barriers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes cost recovery charges on fossil fuel businesses to fund climate adaptation projects, creating a dedicated budget stream for essential environmental services.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires fossil fuel businesses to fund climate adaptation projects including infrastructure upgrades, aligning with clean energy infrastructure investment and reducing fossil fuel reliance.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Climate Resiliency Fund financed by fossil fuel businesses to fund climate adaptation projects like flood protection and nature-based solutions, directly advancing environmental protection and climate resilience.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds healthcare programs addressing climate impacts like extreme weather and heat waves, aligning with healthcare funding indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Environmental Justice Substance Abuse

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SJR 571: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Urges TDOT to consider plight of monarch butterflies and provide habitat and no-mow areas on highway rights-of-ways. -

SJR 571 is a non-binding resolution urging the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to create monarch butterfly habitat along highway rights-of-way. It specifically requests TDOT dedicate sections of road corridors for milkweed and native wildflowers - critical for monarch eggs and caterpillars - and stop mowing existing habitat areas. The resolution highlights that habitat loss from development and frequent mowing has endangered monarchs, while repurposing highway areas could aid their survival and potentially reduce mowing costs. Currently pending before the Senate Transportation Committee (as of February 2026), it does not create new law but formally requests TDOT action.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly urges TDOT to create monarch butterfly habitat via milkweed/native plants and halt mowing, directly conserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species through highway corridor management.95% confidence

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