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HB 1138

Safety - As introduced, requires a blasting firm that conducts a pre-blast survey for an owner or occupant of certain buildings within 300 feet of the blast hole to provide the survey upon request by the owner or occupant at no cost. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 105.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Clark Boyd

Tennessee requires blasting firms to provide free pre-blast surveys to nearby property owners upon request, enabling damage documentation and claim support.

Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
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Bill Summary · HB 1138

Legislative bill overview

HB 1138 requires blasting firms conducting pre-blast surveys for buildings within 300 feet of a blast hole to provide those survey results to affected property owners or occupants at no cost upon request. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 105, which governs blasting operations and safety regulations.

Why is this important

Pre-blast surveys document a building's condition before blasting begins, establishing a baseline to assess whether subsequent blast damage occurred. By mandating free access to these surveys, the bill gives property owners crucial documentation needed to file damage claims or pursue legal remedies if their buildings are harmed by nearby blasting operations. This addresses an information asymmetry where blasting firms possess critical safety data that property owners need to protect their interests.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on blasting firms: Requiring free survey provision increases operational costs for blasting companies, which may be passed to project owners or could affect industry competitiveness, though the unanimous House passage suggests minimal industry opposition materialized
  • Survey scope and standardization: The bill doesn't specify what qualifies as a "pre-blast survey" or establish uniform standards, potentially creating disputes over whether provided surveys meet the requirement's intent
  • Enforcement and access mechanisms: No clear enforcement mechanism exists if firms refuse to provide surveys, and "upon request" language may create practical delays in accessing time-sensitive documentation needed for damage claims

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

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