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HB 896

Administrative Procedure (UAPA) - As enacted, generally prohibits a governmental agency from adopting a rule or establishing numeric criteria or numeric limitations applicable to a contaminant, pollutant, hazardous substance, solid waste, or hazardous waste that relates to drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, contaminated site remediation, air quality, or solid or hazardous waste handling unless certain conditions are met. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 5.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Todd

Tennessee restricts state agencies from setting numeric environmental/pollution standards without meeting additional conditions, potentially slowing regulatory responses to water and air quality issues.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 228
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Bill Summary · HB 896

Legislative bill overview

HB 896 restricts Tennessee governmental agencies from establishing numeric environmental standards (pollution limits, contamination thresholds, waste criteria) for drinking water, air quality, and hazardous substances without meeting specified conditions. The bill modifies the state's Administrative Procedure Act to require additional scrutiny before agencies can adopt such standards.

Why is this important

Environmental standards directly affect public health and water/air quality. This legislation creates procedural barriers to how quickly or easily state agencies can set or update pollution limits, potentially affecting regulatory responsiveness to environmental problems and federal compliance requirements. The practical impact depends heavily on what "certain conditions" the bill requires.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal compliance risk: States must meet EPA standards under the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act; overly restrictive state procedures could create federal override situations or penalties
  • Public health protection timing: Requiring additional procedural steps before adopting health-protective standards could delay responses to contamination discoveries or emerging pollutants
  • Industry versus environmentalist perspectives: Businesses may welcome reduced regulatory burden; environmental advocates argue this weakens protection mechanisms and makes standards harder to establish or update based on scientific advances

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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