Committee approves a package of rule changes including TDEC asbestos primacy, physical therapy rule updates and fee cuts for behavior analysts

The Joint Government Operations Committee voted to give positive recommendations to a package of rule amendments from multiple state agencies, approving changes that include a transfer of asbestos program authority to the state, revisions to physical therapy licensing rules, fee reductions for applied behavior analysts and a statutory annual adjustment to the criminal injuries compensation maximum award.

The actions, taken at a committee meeting in April, affect licensing, program administration and small grant and benefit levels across state agencies. Committee members approved each rule packet by voice vote or roll call; one physical therapy rule drew a recorded Senate vote of eight in favor and one opposed.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation sought committee approval to assume state primacy for the asbestos program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Allie Williamson, legislative director for TDEC, told the committee, "The proposed rules before you today are seeking to give Tennessee primacy over our asbestos program from the EPA," and said the rules would move firm accreditation from annual to three-year cycles, allow electronic filing and permit online refresher training for accreditation programs. Williamson also said the packet adjusts existing fees that have not changed since 2008 and aligns them with other states.

The committee discussed fee levels and workforce impacts. Adrienne White, program director for TDEC's toxic substances program, told members the fees support program operations and that online renewals will be faster: organizers said paper renewals now require mailing and take about 60 days, while the online process can complete in roughly three to five days for many applicants.

A second major item revised physical therapy rules to reflect education and practice changes since the profession moved to the Doctor of Physical…