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Committee advances wastewater-technology framework after amendments and public testimony
Summary
HB 803, a bill to encourage innovation in wastewater infrastructure with bonding and right-of-first-refusal provisions for local utilities, cleared committee after amendments and public testimony; the committee recorded a 12–1 vote in favor.
Representative Grylls described House Bill 8 03 as a framework to allow new wastewater-infrastructure technologies across Tennessee while ensuring environmental and performance protections. The measure requires systems to meet federal and state standards, gives local utility districts a 30-day right of first refusal to own or operate a proposed system, and imposes bonding requirements including a 100% replacement guarantee for the first two years.
The committee received public testimony from Trey Lewis of the Homeowners Association of Tennessee, who said the bill "is a framework to bring in new technology to help solve those failures" and argued it would expand options and allow development in areas currently unbuildable. Legal staff clarified that the performance-bond 'clock' would not start until 50% of units in a development have certificates of occupancy. After further discussion the committee voted (clerk reported 12 ayes, 1 nay) to advance HB 8 03 to calendar and rules.
