Environment

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 950: Environmental Preservation - As introduced, creates a grant program to facilitate green spaces in urban areas; authorizes the technical secretary of the air pollution control board to establish a program to encourage community-led programs that reduce air pollution. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 5; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Title 43, Chapter 24 and Title 68, Chapter 201.

HB 950, if enacted, would create an Urban Green Space Development Fund to provide state grants for purchasing or protecting green spaces (like parks, community gardens, and natural areas) in urban areas defined by U.S. Census data. Local governments and private nonprofits could apply for grants to acquire land or permanent protections (such as conservation easements), requiring them to contribute matching funds from non-state sources. The bill also establishes a separate program to incentivize community-led projects that reduce air pollution. These grants would require recipients to grant perpetual easements restricting land use to green space purposes and undergo state audits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates grant fund for urban green spaces and air pollution reduction programs, directly advancing environmental preservation per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation Parks & Recreation

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passed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1112: Air Pollution - As introduced, designates the intentional injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight, or supplying or otherwise providing the chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus required for the conduct, as a Class A misdemeanor; makes other changes related to investigations and enforcement related to weather modification. - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 2 and Title 68, Chapter 201.

HB 1112 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally inject, release, or disperse chemicals into Tennessee's atmosphere with the purpose of altering weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It also criminalizes supplying materials for such activities. The law directly affects individuals or entities conducting weather modification within Tennessee, imposing a $100,000 fine per violation in addition to misdemeanor penalties. Enforcement will be handled by state agencies and prosecutors investigating credible reports of violations. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing weather modification and criminal penalties, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits chemical releases for weather modification under air pollution laws, preventing potential atmospheric pollution. Aligns with pollution control and environmental protection under its stated subject category.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1139: Water - As enacted, clarifies that if a point-of-entry treatment device is installed in a facility solely to soften hard water and, because of the installation of such a device, the house, building, or complex of buildings meets the definition of a public water system under the Tennessee Safe Drinking Water Act of 1983, then the facility constitutes a consecutive system, and is required to monitor the influent and finished water for hardness, alkalinity, and pH on a quarterly basis, and sodium on an annual basis, and report the results to the department of environment and conservation within 15 days of the end of the reporting period. - Amends TCA Title 68.

HB 1139 clarifies monitoring requirements for facilities that install water softening systems. If such a system causes a facility to meet Tennessee's definition of a public water system under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the facility must test water hardness, alkalinity, and pH quarterly, and sodium annually. Results must be reported to the Department of Environment and Conservation within 15 days of each reporting period. The bill specifically excludes facilities that only install softeners from being classified as public water systems, but if they meet the definition due to the softener, they must comply with these testing rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates quarterly/annual water quality testing (hardness, alkalinity, pH, sodium) and reporting for facilities meeting public water system standards, strengthening environmental monitoring under Safe Drinking Water Act.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates water quality monitoring under Safe Drinking Water Act, supporting public health programs within healthcare topic.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 149: Energy - As introduced, establishes a regulatory framework for solar energy facilities in this state. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7, Chapter 51 and Title 65, Chapter 17.

HB 149 defines "solar energy facility" for regulatory purposes, excluding small residential systems under 5MW and equipment used in homes. It updates Tennessee code sections to replace "wind energy" with "utility" and adds specific rules for solar arrays, including setback requirements from property lines. Local governments can adopt their own solar siting regulations by July 1, 2025, and facilities built before that date are exempt from the new rules. The bill directly affects solar developers, local zoning authorities, and communities near proposed solar projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes regulatory framework for solar energy facilities, enabling development by defining rules, excluding small systems, and updating codes to support solar infrastructure deployment.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes regulatory framework for solar energy facilities, promoting clean energy adoption and aligning with environmental protection goals by clarifying rules for solar development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Wind

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 574: Taxes, Privilege - As introduced, reduces the rate of tax on bottled soft drinks and barrels of beer; changes the distribution of the revenue from such taxes; provides for the eventual repeal of such taxes. - Amends TCA Title 57, Chapter 5 and Title 67, Chapter 4.

SB 574 reduces the tax on beer from $4.29 to $2.00 per barrel and modifies how revenue from soft drink taxes (currently 0.9% of gross receipts) is allocated. It directs 50% of soft drink tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs and 40% to recycling grants for materials like aluminum and plastic. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and sets a sunset provision: both taxes will end by July 1, 2028, or upon enactment of mandatory beverage container deposit laws, whichever comes first. This bill directly affects beer and soft drink manufacturers, distributors, and state agencies managing litter and recycling programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces beer/soft drink tax rates and allocates revenue to litter prevention/recycling programs, providing tax relief and funding public services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 50% of soft drink tax revenue to highway litter prevention and 40% to recycling grants for aluminum/plastic, directly funding pollution control and conservation efforts.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates 50% of soft drink tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Recycling Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 438: Solid Waste Disposal - As enacted, creates the advisory task force on solid waste to examine and review issues related to solid waste; authorizes the department of environment and conservation to accept voluntary contributions, and to apply for grants, from private companies for grants for recycling infrastructure, recycling projects, and composting. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 11; Title 13; Title 20; Title 28; Title 39; Title 49; Title 54; Title 55; Title 59; Title 62; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

SB 438 creates an advisory task force to examine solid waste management issues in Tennessee and authorizes the Department of Environment and Conservation to accept voluntary contributions and apply for private grants for recycling infrastructure, recycling projects, and composting initiatives. The bill requires the department to publish a report on its website regarding these efforts. It amends multiple sections of Tennessee law related to waste management, including provisions for grant funding and reporting. The bill became effective on May 9, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates advisory task force for solid waste management and authorizes funding for recycling/composting infrastructure, directly advancing environmental protection through waste reduction initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Waste Management

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 16, 2025

SB 132: Energy - As introduced, establishes a regulatory framework for solar energy facilities in this state. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7, Chapter 51 and Title 65, Chapter 17.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for commercial-scale solar energy facilities (over 5MW) in Tennessee. It defines "solar energy facility" to include equipment like arrays, inverters, and storage systems, while excluding small residential installations. Key provisions require 3.5 times the array width as setbacks from property lines and exempt facilities built before July 1, 2025. Local governments may adopt their own siting rules by that date, applying to new projects and expansions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes regulatory framework for commercial solar facilities, enabling renewable energy infrastructure development while exempting pre-2025 projects and allowing local siting rules.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes regulatory framework for commercial solar energy (clean energy), promoting renewable infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel reliance, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1397: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, requires the department to create and maintain an informational tool on the department's website that provides data related to the presence of facilities that are required to submit toxic release inventory data to the environmental protection agency. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 59; Title 60; Title 68 and Title 69.

HB 1397 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to create a public online tool on its website by January 2026. The tool will let residents search for facilities within a 5-mile radius of their address that report chemical releases to the EPA under federal law, including pending construction or expansion projects. It will also allow users to sign up for notifications about new applications near their location and must be updated within 10 business days of receiving new data. This directly affects residents seeking information about potential chemical exposure risks and businesses subject to toxic release reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires public access to toxic release data, enhancing transparency for pollution monitoring and community awareness per EPA reporting requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 702: Environmental Preservation - 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 702 creates the "Climate Resiliency Fund" to finance projects addressing climate change impacts in Tennessee. It requires fossil fuel businesses (coal, oil, gas) operating between 1995 and 2025 to pay cost recovery fees based on their greenhouse gas emissions into the fund. The fund will support climate adaptation projects like flood protections, infrastructure upgrades, and healthcare programs, with priority given to communities designated as "environmental justice focus populations" (low-income, high-minority, or limited English proficiency areas). The bill defines specific eligible projects, including nature-based solutions, stormwater system improvements, and resilience planning for vulnerable infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes emissions-based fees on fossil fuel businesses to fund climate projects, creating new state revenue for budget allocation and climate adaptation programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Climate Resiliency Fund financed by fossil fuel emissions fees to fund climate adaptation projects prioritizing environmental justice communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection Environmental Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 521: Taxes, Privilege - As introduced, reduces the rate of tax on bottled soft drinks and barrels of beer; changes the distribution of the revenue from such taxes; provides for the eventual repeal of such taxes. - Amends TCA Title 57, Chapter 5 and Title 67, Chapter 4.

HB 521 reduces the tax on beer from $4.29 to $2.00 per barrel and lowers the tax on bottled soft drinks from 1.2% to 0.9% of gross receipts. The bill redirects 50% of the beer tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs and 40% of the soft drink tax revenue to recycling grants for materials like aluminum and plastic. It requires annual reports on fund usage and sets a sunset provision: both taxes will be repealed by July 1, 2028, or upon enactment of mandatory container deposit laws. The bill directly affects beverage manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces tax rates on beer and soft drinks (tax relief) and redirects revenue to public programs, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects beer and soft drink tax revenue to recycling grants and highway litter prevention programs, directly funding environmental initiatives.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRedirects 50% of beer tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance and protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Recycling Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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