[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6407382,"mediaKeyId","2412248-bfb7f041871d7fbeab602cdff2580ee6","parentId",2412248,"title","Senate committee advances bill requiring 'best available science' for state environmental rules","audioSeconds",1375,"startMs",554000,"endMs",1929000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2412248-bfb7f041871d7fbeab602cdff2580ee6&start=554&end=1929","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2412248-bfb7f041871d7fbeab602cdff2580ee6/thumbnail_554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6407382/Senate-committee-advances-bill-requiring-best-available-science-for-state-environmental-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6407382-440c9cda6bd58d952b9d3adfd1401ff4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771052679&Signature=c20eR0lnMqapmgwahKon~SH216iWptsAdkaF9c0WRdy0ziXiMjLcWrnbXxfThkG2-UWCw7xkeD-uAEOW7vqe2ejWfARkeQMS~zkIUwr4Nq121Li2UkDxT6PyDKomaOm1sGIZyFsS4W1WcFUnetj9eWNDJbcZ5T5bgPc~NtEsX4qfe5xlj1FtAp-88LQlq~09fd~OdEFhR8V3XZGzQlY4q0ffAVQp9EDsps2eM-glH90-yM1cmuWlUapjRCSQwzTpAisVjfkmMtCqLpUgzcPwFNea9NGYOafh9nANzIYVPG8PmvkrglmFvVGF2FNr0JjHduMb7hD~k0tYDXSHmxHiJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 880, which would require state environmental regulatory actions to be based on the \"best available science,\" received a positive recommendation from the Senate Government Operations Committee and was referred to the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee after a 7–2 roll call vote.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Brent Reeves, told the committee the measure was intended to bring consistency to state regulatory decision‑making and to reduce what he called “public policy overreaction” to events that prompt rulemaking. \"We need science, not emotions when we're trying to make these decisions,\" Reeves said during his remarks.

Mark Behrens, testifying for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, said the bill would apply to actions by state agencies and mirrored concepts used in federal statutes. \"This bill is limited to regulatory actions by state agencies,\" Behrens said, adding the bill would require agencies to rely on peer‑reviewed studies and other scientific practices commonly used by federal agencies. He cited PFAS and microplastics as examples of emergent substances where science is still evolving.

Committee members raised questions about the bill’s effects. Senator Bolling asked whether a community decision — for example, to exclude fluoride from its drinking water — would be precluded under the bill; Behrens responded that the bill affects state agency regulatory actions and would not prevent a locality from making such a choice. Senator Sandra Oliver expressed concern that the bill could slow agencies’ ability to respond to imminent hazards. \"It seems like we're putting a larger burden of proof on our state agencies to be able to take action immediately when we know something is imminent that could harm our citizens,\" Oliver said.

Sponsor Reeves said he would work with affected agencies and stakeholders on the bill’s language. Senator Reeves also noted the bill contains drafting cleanups and signaled additional review in the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Action: A motion for a positive recommendation was made and seconded (second: Senator Hatcher). The clerk recorded the roll call: Senator Bowling (aye); Senator Crow (aye); Senator Hatcher (aye); Senator Kyle (no); Senator Oliver (no); Senator Rose (aye); Senator Seale (aye); Senator Sutherland (aye); Chairman Jackson (aye). Outcome: positive recommendation to Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources (7 ayes, 2 noes).

Why it matters: The bill would change the standard state agencies use when proposing environmental regulations. Proponents say it will increase transparency and stability for businesses; critics say it could restrict regulators' ability to act quickly when evidence of harm is emerging.

Next steps: SB880 moves to the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for further review and potential amendment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Government Operations Committee\tFeb 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 880, which would require state environmental regulatory actions to be based on the \"best available science,\" received a positive recommendation from the Senate Government Operations Committee and was referred to the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee after a 7–2 roll call vote.","taxTitle","taxId",0,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6407370,"GovOps committee advances nine sunset and oversight items to calendar; quick summaries and votes",4893,4899000,5724,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2412248-bfb7f041871d7fbeab602cdff2580ee6&start=4899&end=5","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2412248-bfb7f041871d7fbeab602cdff2580ee6/thumbnail_4899000.jpg","/articles/6407370/GovOps-committee-advances-nine-sunset-and-oversight-items-to-calendar-quick-summaries-and-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6407370-2ac83b26f65cf2bd688b83465c9dcf80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771052679&Signature=DCRLQ-42awCQBcYJKIW7uxAWYTTdLjuTMME44Ff~9bUsBiwTGEr1Hx-QLTzPUvCTpAnp-ZzrdmEnZLwjsKLs5Aw8Kbr24imBnf1x7gWevTPgw27vo5dKYYshAelicoBOciUfv3meR8Rw8P1GE~2os4xZnblFzQm-~qT4et3yIpsBa5~0lmh0iraeg-008PPgDuJFdPT3GPLySZYkTFDqmsTGZVacROK451nExpkdXkKOazOD8myEJmyP61nfeHkj5d9EADp7pQeYmaSCD-HmDDEqva2mBjEUo4-TvmKQNc3jZwwVbhYN1sLTd0dTbJagYOE-ngnylb8pHy-AA7VMsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee advanced a package of sunset reviews and oversight items to the Senate calendar. Most items are four‑year extensions of boards, commissions, and advisory groups. Committee members heard brief testimony or updates from agency representatives and asked follow‑up questions on audits, corrective actions and program operations.

Summary of items and committee action:

• Senate Bill 49 — Advisory Committee for Children's Special Services (4‑year extension). Testimony: Holt Witt, Assistant Commissioner for Legislative Affairs, Tennessee Department of Health, said the committee advises on care for children with special needs and assists in administering a small federal block grant; travel expenditures were roughly $1,900 last fiscal year. Committee vote: carried to calendar (9 ayes).

• Senate Bill 58 — Bureau of TennCare (4‑year extension). Testimony: TennCare Director Steven Smith summarized the agency's performance and noted recent investments in behavioral health; he said TennCare had no audit findings two sunset cycles in a row. Committee vote: carried to calendar (8 ayes).

• Senate Bill 81 — Second Look Commission (4‑year extension). Testimony: Craig Hargrow (Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth) described the volunteer commission that reviews severe child abuse cases; auditors recorded two findings that the commission has addressed (vacancies/quorum and missing signed confidentiality/conflict forms). Committee vote: carried to calendar (9 ayes).

• Senate Bill 95 — Tennessee Historical Commission (4‑year extension). Testimony: Patrick McIntyre, Executive Director, said the commission manages 108 buildings at 17 estate historic sites and reported one audit finding on procurement; corrective action included procurement training through TDEC. Committee vote: carried to calendar (8 ayes).

• Senate Bill 97 — Tennessee Monuments and Memorial Commission (4‑year extension). Witness: Executive director (name not specified) and Chairman Bill Ketron. The commission, created July 1, 2023, is charged with administering Tennessee Heritage Protection Act cases; staff said one petition recently filed will be heard in the coming months. Committee vote: carried to calendar (7 ayes, 2 noes).

• Senate Bill 78 — Mega Site Authority of West Tennessee (4‑year extension). Testimony: Clay Bright updated the committee on site readiness for the Ford project: TCAT training campus opened June 14, water and wastewater plants are operating, and the authority has begun billing for utilities. The speaker said Ford or its partners obtained a federal Department of Energy loan for battery plant development (witness referenced a $9,000,000,000 loan reported in public sources); site acreage and capital figures were discussed during questioning (authority said the overall site is about 4,100 acres and some parts were valued at roughly $157,000,000). Committee vote: carried to calendar (8 ayes).

• Senate Bill 93 — Tennessee Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Board (4‑year extension). Testimony: Holt Witt and Jennifer Putnam summarized the board’s work; the EMS board licenses more than 25,000 practitioners and had annual expenditures of roughly $2,000,000. Committee vote: carried to calendar (8 ayes).

• Senate Bill 105 — Transportation Modernization Board (4‑year extension). Testimony: Jay Klein, TDOT, said the board has met and approved initial policies for the Choice Lanes program and approved development steps for the I‑24 SE project between Nashville and Murfreesboro. Committee vote: carried to calendar (6 ayes, 1 no, 1 pass).

Why it matters: These votes maintain legislative oversight of agencies and boards that manage health programs, historical sites, major economic development projects, emergency medical licensure and transportation modernization. Committee members used the hearings to request follow‑up materials: a maintenance matrix for historic sites; updates on Second Look Commission membership and confidentiality compliance; and further documentation on megasite liability and accountability provisions.

Next steps: Each bill moves to the Senate calendar for further consideration. Committee staff collected follow‑up materials requested by members and will provide them to the committee record.","The Senate Government Operations Committee voted to move a set of sunset extensions and oversight boards to the calendar. Most measures were routine extensions; several presenters summarized audits, corrective actions or operational updates. Vote tallies are included for each item.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":46,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6407374,"Sponsor delays 'Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act' after stakeholder talks; committee agrees to roll bill",481,2410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2412248-bfb7f041871d7fbeab602cdff2580ee6&start=1929&end=2410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2412248-bfb7f041871d7fbeab602cdff2580ee6/thumbnail_1929000.jpg","/articles/6407374/Sponsor-delays-Tennessee-Waste-to-Jobs-Act-after-stakeholder-talks-committee-agrees-to-roll-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6407374-1a5eaf57ea2c48ddaca9d7684d925b9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771052679&Signature=KCOBn5bN-TncX36zompx5BRUUqhnXkgtpXlolBHjosbxC5hKKttSigogqeNNEW2vN7ypou61sRWHlNG6yaHvWYaGNPn2CG1PHEocu5IkbvZkvM28a2Q0d~x2y5lu0IzpXMOVNYWf0imLdabL~hNMN~TsHcpyDjDRKbDetGCkzXmO5ysieP1d2T90ADAJVBg-Ymz3LFa5ZIdLJ8H1S0ZsBi1cSnuKvIzgClAseQ~ygR0xYrmnFId86PP9TrOcYjSEqMLZBnrCoEhLt1BeSEI-AcGYt8GV3d-HPhV18oulmFMWQ5xZX-VMUCjK3QL9eHXD3a857FF7NFrRLnPhUPNqNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 269, the Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act, was presented to the Senate Government Operations Committee and then rolled until next year after the sponsor said further stakeholder engagement was needed.

Sponsor Senator Heidi Campbell described the proposal as an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program intended to reduce landfill use, attract private investment and create recycling infrastructure. \"We have a serious landfill crisis in Tennessee. Tennesseans don't want more landfills,\" Campbell said, arguing the bill would create a funding mechanism to spur infrastructure investment and new jobs without imposing new taxes on citizens.

Campbell read from an American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) resolution and noted that developers and global brands — she said more than a dozen companies representing roughly $200 billion in annual revenue — support the basic EPR approach in the bill. She also told the committee the bill is designed to focus implementation in large cities and to allow smaller local governments (fewer than 200,000 residents) to opt in.

After describing recent discussions with Josh Brown, the new CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Campbell requested the bill be rolled to allow additional education and stakeholder engagement over the next 12 months. \"Out of respect for the chamber's promising new leadership... I am requesting, mister chairman, that we roll this bill until next year,\" Campbell said.

Action: The committee voted on a motion to roll the bill until the next legislative year. The roll call recorded nine ayes (including Senators Bolling, Crow, Hatcher, Kyle, Oliver, Rose, Seale, Sutherland and Chairman Jackson). Outcome: bill rolled/postponed until next year for further stakeholder work.

Why it matters: The proposal would create an industry‑led funding model for recycling and material recovery. Supporters say it will divert materials from landfills and create jobs; opponents and some members signaled concerns about costs and the need for further statewide stakeholder education. The sponsor withdrew the bill to pursue a broader consensus.","Senator Campbell asked to roll Senate Bill 269, the Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act (an extended producer responsibility proposal), until next year after describing broad industry support and recent outreach with the Tennessee Chamber. The committee voted unanimously to roll the bill for further stakeholder work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee advances bill requiring 'best available science' for state environmental rules

GovOps committee advances nine sunset and oversight items to calendar; quick summaries and votes

Sponsor delays 'Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act' after stakeholder talks; committee agrees to roll bill