Environment (Drinking Water)

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2175: Water - As enacted, requires the department of environment and conservation to add water system projects located in counties having a population of less than 57,000 according to the 2020 census, or a subsequent census, to the priority list for consideration for loans from the water system revolving loan fund. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221.

SB 2175 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to prioritize water system projects in counties with fewer than 57,000 residents (based on the 2020 or later census) for consideration for loans from the water system revolving loan fund. It defines "rural county" as having a population below 57,000 and amends state law to automatically include such projects on the priority list. This change directly affects water infrastructure projects in smaller counties by ensuring they receive automatic consideration for funding. The bill modifies existing law to streamline access to loan programs for rural water systems without altering the fund's structure or funding levels.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrioritizes funding for rural water infrastructure projects, advancing water protection and conservation under environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2205: Water - As enacted, requires the department of environment and conservation to add water system projects located in counties having a population of less than 57,000 according to the 2020 census, or a subsequent census, to the priority list for consideration for loans from the water system revolving loan fund. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221.

HB 2205 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to prioritize water system projects in rural counties (defined as those with under 57,000 residents based on the 2020 or later census) for loans from the water system revolving loan fund. This directly affects smaller counties struggling to fund water infrastructure improvements. The bill amends existing law to add these rural counties to the priority list, ensuring their projects are considered first for available loan funding. It does not create new money but changes how existing loan funds are allocated.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrioritizes rural water infrastructure funding to improve environmental protection and water quality, aligning with conservation and pollution control goals under environmental policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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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 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 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 · 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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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 1657: 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.

SB 1657 requires counties, municipalities, and metropolitan governments to approve sludge application from wastewater treatment plants to agricultural land through a two-thirds vote resolution. This approval must establish a fee per ton of sludge collected by the wastewater facility and remitted to the local government, with funds restricted to building and maintaining local wastewater facilities. The bill places a moratorium on new or renewed permits for sludge application in areas without such local approval, effective July 2026. It directly affects wastewater operators, local governments, and agricultural landowners by creating a new local permitting requirement tied to funding for water infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires local approval for sludge application with funds earmarked for water treatment facilities, strengthening pollution control measures under water pollution regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 258: 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.

SB 258 clarifies that facilities installing only water softening devices (for hard water) do not become public water systems under Tennessee law, even if the device causes them to meet the definition. It specifically excludes such softening systems from public water system requirements, meaning these facilities are not required to monitor water quality unless they otherwise qualify as a public water system. If a softening system causes a facility to meet the public water system definition, it must monitor hardness, alkalinity, pH quarterly and sodium annually, reporting results to the Department of Environment and Conservation within 15 days of each quarter. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68 and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts water softening facilities from public water system monitoring requirements, reducing regulatory oversight on water quality under environmental protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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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