Bill > HB0896

This bill establishes new requirements for state agencies in Tennessee when creating regulations related to environmental and health issues, specifically drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, site remediation, air quality, and waste handling. The bill mandates that any new regulatory rules must be based on "best available science," which means using reliable, unbiased scientific information from high-quality sources like peer-reviewed journal studies, site-specific research, federal government reports, and environmental protection agency screening levels. To establish a regulation, agencies must demonstrate a direct link between the proposed limits and potential human health risks, which can be based on human, animal, or cellular studies that show a clear connection to bodily harm. The bill does not apply to federal regulations, rules required by federal law, emergency rules, or regulations from the agriculture or health departments, and it will only affect agency rules adopted on or after July 1, 2025. The key purpose appears to be ensuring that environmental and health regulations are grounded in rigorous scientific evidence and do not impose overly restrictive limits without strong scientific justification.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0896&ga=114