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HB 834

Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, prohibits the board of water and wastewater operator certification from delegating, by contract or other agreement, to a third-party its authority to determine minimum operator competency or to prepare examinations administered to applicants seeking operator certification; establishes requirements for such examinations and minimum scores required for issuance of a certificate. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221, Part 9.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Kelly Keisling

Tennessee bill blocks water operator certification board from outsourcing competency standards and exam creation to third parties, requiring state control of all certification functions.

Taken off notice for cal in s/c Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee of Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
#departmentof #environmentandconservation
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Bill Summary · HB 834

Legislative bill overview

HB 834 prohibits Tennessee's board of water and wastewater operator certification from outsourcing its authority to determine operator competency standards or create certification exams to third-party contractors. The bill establishes that the board must directly control these critical functions and sets requirements for examination standards and passing scores.

Why is this important

Water and wastewater operators directly impact public health and environmental safety by managing systems that serve entire communities. By requiring the state board to maintain direct control over competency standards rather than delegating to private contractors, the bill aims to ensure consistent, publicly accountable oversight of who becomes certified to operate these essential systems.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and efficiency concerns: Third-party contractors often handle certification exams more cost-effectively; requiring in-house administration could increase state expenses and administrative burden on the board
  • Expertise and resources: Private testing organizations may have specialized expertise in exam development and psychometric validation that state agencies lack, potentially affecting exam quality
  • Implementation timeline: The bill doesn't specify transition periods for bringing outsourced functions back in-house, which could create operational disruptions during implementation

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

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