Environment

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 1750: 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.

SB 1750 prevents Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation from blocking public water utilities (like city or county water systems) from pumping or withdrawing water from natural sources for drinking water, unless federal law specifically requires it. The bill allows the department to prohibit such water use only if mandated by federal laws like the Safe Drinking Water Act or Endangered Species Act, and requires them to provide written notice citing the exact federal law. This directly affects water utilities and the state department by limiting the department's authority to restrict water access for drinking water services. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to permit renewals and ongoing operations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents state from imposing stricter water regulations than federal law, weakening environmental protections by limiting department's authority to restrict water use without federal mandate.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Wildlife

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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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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2054: Energy - As introduced, enacts the "Data Center, Artificial Intelligence, and Clean Transition Tariff Accountability Act." - Amends TCA Title 7 and Title 65.

HB 2054 establishes a "Clean Transition Tariff" (CTT) requiring large energy users - such as data centers, AI facilities, and crypto operations consuming 25 megawatts or more - to pay a voluntary premium for new clean energy infrastructure. This ensures these facilities fund their own grid upgrades and new clean power generation, preventing costs from being shifted to residential and small business customers. The bill mandates that large users cover all proportional costs for transmission, distribution, and reliability upgrades needed to serve their new electricity demand. It also requires utilities to enforce this tariff structure and report annually on cost allocations, protecting smaller ratepayers while supporting grid reliability. The CTT must provide 100% clean power for the facility’s new demand without impacting other customers’ rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnsures large energy users fund their own grid upgrades, preventing cost-shifting to residential customers - promoting fiscal responsibility in infrastructure funding.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates large energy users to fund clean infrastructure via CTT, preventing cost-shifting to residential consumers and advancing clean energy transition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires large energy users to fund clean energy infrastructure via voluntary premium, directly advancing clean power transition and preventing cost-shifting to residential consumers.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Renewable Energy

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 2073: Holidays and Days of Special Observance - As enacted, designates the month of April as "Tennessee Native Plant Month." - Amends TCA Title 15, Chapter 2.

SB 2073 designates the month of April each year as "Tennessee Native Plant Month" in the state. This ceremonial bill aims to raise public awareness about native plants' ecological and economic benefits, such as supporting pollinators, sustaining local ecosystems, and bolstering agriculture and nursery industries. It does not create new regulations, funding, or direct obligations but formally recognizes Tennessee's native plant species through an annual observance. The designation applies statewide and encourages community engagement with native plant conservation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates April as Native Plant Month to raise awareness of ecological benefits like pollinator support and ecosystem sustainability, directly aligning with environmental protection goals through recognition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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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 Apr 6, 2026

SB 1554: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Tennessee fish and wildlife commission to June 30, 2030. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 70, Chapter 1, Part 2.

SB 1554 extends the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission's existence until June 30, 2030. It amends two sections of Tennessee law (Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 70, Chapter 1, Part 2) to remove an outdated reference and formally recognize the commission's ongoing role. This change ensures the commission can continue managing the state's fish and wildlife resources without interruption. The bill directly affects the commission by preventing its automatic termination under previous sunset provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends Fish and Wildlife Commission, ensuring ongoing management of natural resources and conservation efforts without interruption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife