Sumner County commissioners discussed on Jan. 5, 2026, whether to pursue adoption of a policy referenced in meeting materials as "Jackson's Law" that would give smaller counties an opt-in regulatory route regarding landfills and waste management. Commissioners agreed to refer the matter to the county's Solid Waste Board and revisit the issue after the board meets and receives consultant input.

Commissioner discussion centered on what the measure would change and how it would interact with existing zoning and permitting. One participant summarized the proposal as "something that we can adopt here, that would essentially keep landfills from coming into the county without our food," and said they found the idea "pretty interesting" (Speaker 1). Legal and procedural background was provided by another participant, who said state-level study indicates Jackson's Law is intended to let smaller counties "opt into this and engage in the regulatory means to deal with these landfills" and recommended coordinating with codes and planning to avoid duplicating work (Speaker 3).

Commissioners raised several specific concerns. One commissioner asked whether a "two thirds" threshold would be required to allow a landfill in the county; a legal clarifier responded, "The 2 thirds is to incorporate Jackson. Correct? It's not on the landfills themselves. It's the reg the regulation of the landfills would go through the normal process," indicating the two-thirds requirement discussed in the meeting refers to adopting the opt-in policy rather than approving individual landfill permits (Speaker 3). Commissioners also pointed to local geography and community impacts, noting "in the 5th District and in the 6th District ... there's a lot of hills and hollers that could be filled up with some trash," and raised concerns about litter and potential environmental harm.

Speakers emphasized that landfills currently proceed through zoning and, when contested, through the planning commission and board of zoning appeals. "Part of being a landfill is part of the zoning application process," one participant said, and the group agreed that a deeper review of existing zoning and permitting requirements was necessary before taking county-level action.

Procedure and next steps: Commissioners agreed to defer substantive action. Speaker 2 said the Solid Waste Board would meet in February and that a consultant would present on Jackson's Law, convenience centers and broader trash-management options; Speaker 2 also said commissioners would be included in meeting notices. The commission recorded a motion to move the item to old business and to revisit it after the Solid Waste Board's work; meeting audio recorded a second and the chair said the item would be returned to the agenda in February.

What was not decided: The commission did not adopt Jackson's Law or change any zoning rules at the Jan. 5 meeting. No formal roll-call vote on the opt-in statute was taken; commissioners limited the meeting to scheduling further study and referral to the Solid Waste Board.

The commission is expected to revisit the issue following the Solid Waste Board meeting and the consultant's presentation.