Bill > HB0834

This bill amends Tennessee's Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Act to establish more rigorous standards for professional certification examinations. Specifically, the bill requires that examinations prepared by the board must demonstrate an operator's skills, knowledge, and judgment for their specific classification, use the same questions for all applicants, and include at least 10% state regulatory questions. To receive a certificate, applicants must correctly answer 70% of both the total exam questions and the state regulatory questions. The bill prohibits the certification board from delegating its authority to determine operator competency or prepare examinations to any third-party, ensuring that the board maintains direct control over the certification process. Additionally, the board is explicitly forbidden from collecting or using applicant demographic data such as age, race, sex, or cultural background, and may only use staff under its direct supervision to develop and administer exams. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law and applies to all contracts and agreements entered into, amended, or renewed after that date, with a severability clause ensuring that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest of the act can still be implemented.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0834&ga=114