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The Tennessee State Legislature reviews and often passes legislation pertinent to our environment, and specifically our water quality.  From January to May of each year legislators meet in committees, on the floor of their respective houses, and with a variety of lobbyists to discuss legislation.  Each General Assembly session takes two years.  During this time all legislation which has been introduced is still in play, but at the end of each session any current business ceases.  Learn more about Tennessee's General Assembly.  

This January marked the beginning of the 108th Tennesssee General Assembly. The following bills with relevance to TCWN's work were introduced:

HB0043 (Johnson, G.) / SB0099 (Finney, L.):  Prohibits issuance of a water quality control permit which would alter any ridgeline more than 2,000 feet about sea level - bans mountain top removal mining. SENATE BILL FAILED IN COMMITTEE, HOUSE BILL DEFERRED TO 2014

HB0117 (Dunn) / SB0102 (Massey): Removes the prohibition against selling produce raised in community gardens. BECAME PUBLIC CHAPTER 3

HB0153 (McCormick) / SB0159 (Norris): Revises means by which contested cases are heard at TDEC. Requires appeals initially be heard by a single administrative law judge and only by the board if appealed. BECAME PUBLIC CHAPTER 181

HB0376 (Fitzhugh) / SB0518 (Burks): Prohibits clear cutting in state forests. BOTH DEFERRED TO 2014

The committees, renamed in 2013, most frequently involved in water quality legislation are the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee.  It is the role of these committees to review all legislation impacting the condition of our streams, changing water quality regulations, and all matters pertaining to water quality pollution.

Updated May 13, 2013