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SB 915

Highways, Roads and Bridges - As enacted, lifts certain restrictions on temporary borrow pits used to source material for a road work construction project performed in a FEMA-certified county under a contract for construction work entered into with the state that is part of a state or local Hurricane Helene recovery effort. - Amends TCA Title 54, Chapter 1.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Bailey

Tennessee removes temporary borrow pit restrictions in FEMA-certified counties for Hurricane Helene road recovery projects to expedite reconstruction with state contracts.

Pub. Ch. 230
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Bill Summary · SB 915

Legislative bill overview

SB 915 removes certain regulatory restrictions on temporary borrow pits (excavation sites used to extract soil and gravel) in FEMA-certified counties for road construction and repair projects specifically tied to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts under state contracts. The bill amends Tennessee's highway regulations to streamline material sourcing for federally-recognized disaster recovery work.

Why is this important

Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to roads and infrastructure in Tennessee counties, and temporary borrow pits are essential for quickly obtaining construction materials needed for repairs. By lifting restrictions on these sites, the bill aims to reduce project timelines and costs during recovery, though this creates tradeoffs between expedited reconstruction and environmental/land-use oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Environmental impact: Temporary borrow pits can affect soil quality, groundwater, and local ecosystems; relaxed restrictions may reduce environmental review and mitigation requirements
  • Local control: Counties may have different preferences about land disturbance; state-level exemptions could override local zoning or environmental preferences
  • Scope creep: "Temporary" designations and "Hurricane Helene recovery" language could potentially be interpreted broadly or extended to non-disaster situations in future disputes

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

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