[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6106700,"mediaKeyId","2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574","parentId",2779660,"title","Committee votes: quick roundup of bills advanced or acted on by the Senate Energy, Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee","audioSeconds",4671,"startMs",867000,"endMs",5538000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574&start=867&end=5538","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574/thumbnail_867000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106700/Tennessee/Committee-votes-quick-roundup-of-bills-advanced-or-acted-on-by-the-Senate-Energy-Agricultural-and-Natural-Resources-Committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106700-aec41b44c72683ea6bf5b08be0ffd0bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789944&Signature=Hv9KVPYe5kwWTQ32aC-t1LJmcBPMooY2Cn6KxZN-zGbnTq~WSkZO1hAhFx3v3RaHwlS2vtV38f3kjEuNKl5khBtC8zeSfdM7V4DHJV~5HVdVAEW4g6wM7KpXTkxnKF4HrcFvWkhaW0VYinkQNDhrV-CE6CgFZnckClu1jwDx-DNCQ-W9RNIOJk66dyGVHgpYH-MpbBPuesVIVkLVDgKn0LDh1agqoHP929PjwxOMV~MFbjO-ShpRLQrZI2nVXjC5-EYXViS8UDoriujZ6oFrm39NE3dtGZ-IiwkBHLUORBO8A1qW370rggIQb2SmdIEWmciqqzYTjnIga16S2mItCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","The committee handled a broad set of administration and member bills. Below are the items the committee voted on during the session, a brief description and the committee outcome as recorded on the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar (three resolutions): All adopted on voice vote; clerk recorded 8 ayes (consent calendar approved).

- Senate Bill 12‑76 (Leader Johnson): Reduce local parks and recreation fund match from 50% to 25% for counties designated \"at risk\" or \"economically distressed\" by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Committee vote: 9 ayes; bill goes to finance.

- Senate Bill 13‑06 (Leader Johnson): Codify Tourism Department structure (marketing and welcome centers divisions) and authorize division heads; committee vote: 9 ayes; bill to calendar.

- Senate Bill 12‑75 (Chairman Yeager): Abandoned mines program changes to maintain federal SMCRA funding, require landowner notice and limit liens in certain cases; committee vote: 9 ayes; bill to calendar.

- Senate Bill 9‑70 (Senator Sutherland): Clarifies authority of certain municipal utility authorities (Irwin Utilities Authority example) following asset transfers; amendment adopted; committee vote: 9 ayes; bill to calendar.

- Senate Bill 13‑52 (Senator Akbari): Require TDEC to create an online informational tool showing facilities reporting Toxic Release Inventory data and allow proximity searches and notices; committee vote: 9 ayes; bill to finance.

- Senate Bill 12‑76 and SB 13‑06 (already above): listed to reflect separate calendar placements (finance vs. calendar).

- Senate Bill 6‑64 (Senator Taylor): Streamline credit for stream alterations where general permit credit should apply; amendment adopted; committee vote recorded with some no votes; bill advanced (committee recorded mixed votes; item moved per transcript).

- Senate Bill 7‑20 (Senator Hatcher): Reconstitute Groundwater Management Board membership and terms; amendment adopted; committee vote: 9 ayes; bill to calendar.

- Senate Bill 1‑28 (Chairman Bailey): Add statutory certification pathway for chiropractic physicians and veterinarians performing animal chiropractic (amendment adopted after public comment and opposition from TVMA); committee recorded 6 ayes, 2 passes, 1 no and placed the bill on the calendar.

- Senate Bill 5‑19 (Senator Roberts): Require certain foreign purchasers who file under the federal Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to file with Tennessee; amendment adopted making civil penalty collection permissive; committee vote: 7 ayes, 2 no; bill to calendar.

- Senate Bill 5‑20 (Senator Roberts): Expand West Tennessee River Basin Authority service area to include Perry, Stewart, Houston and Humphreys counties; committee vote: 9 ayes; bill to finance.

- Senate Bill 12‑64 (Senator Harshbarger): Standardize expiration dates for Department of Agriculture permits to June 30 and other license clarifications; committee vote: unanimous recorded as ayes; bill to calendar.

- Senate Bill 12‑65 (Vice Chair Lowe): State takeover of meat inspection program and alignment with federal rules; amendment adopted; committee vote: 9 ayes; bill to finance.

- Senate Bill 8‑43 (Senator Wally): Allow Wetlands Acquisition Fund to be used for TWRA law‑enforcement positions in addition to land purchase/maintenance (as amended); committee vote: 7 ayes, 2 no; bill to finance.

- Senate Bill 12‑74 (Senator Wally): TDEC administrative package (air fee modernization, coal combustion residuals permitting, mineral and geologic resources payment streamlining); committee recorded 8 ayes and 1 pass; bill to finance.

- Senate Bill 12‑63 (Senator Bolling): Grundy County biosolids local authority request — committee placed bill on calendar after debate (7 ayes, 1 pass, 1 no); TDEC raised legal concerns.

- Senate Bill 10‑33 (Senator Bolling): Investigative and penalty provisions related to geoengineering and intentional atmospheric injections; committee vote: 4 ayes, 5 nos (recorded 4‑5), bill remains in committee.

- Senate Bill 10‑38 (Senator Bolling): Add a $3 licensing agent fee for clerks and retail agents to cover the cost of issuing hunting and fishing licenses; committee vote: 8 ayes, 1 no; bill to finance.

- Senate Bill 10‑58 (Senator Pote): Changes to state animal disease/emergency authority to require gubernatorial sign‑off for certain emergency orders and guaranteed compensation when funds are available; committee recorded mixed votes and bill remained in committee per transcript vote.

- Senate Bill 9‑18 (Senator Campbell): Require proof of financial responsibility (insurance) for personal watercraft (PWC) owners/operators; committee amendment adopted; committee voted to send to finance (8 ayes, 1 pass).

- Several additional bills from committee chairs were moved and passed with little debate (examples: SB 5‑58, SB 8‑84, SB 8‑85, SB 4‑38, SB 8‑74, SB 8‑83, SB 8‑80 and SB 12‑77). These mostly were housekeeping, definitions, advisory task force creation, or minor program additions; recorded roll‑call results appear in the transcript and several were placed on the calendar or moved to finance as indicated.

How to read these outcomes

- \"Calendar\" indicates the committee placed the bill on the larger Senate calendar for future floor consideration.
- \"Finance\" indicates the committee routed the bill to the Finance Committee (or similar) for fiscal review.

If you need the verbatim roll‑call list or the exact recorded votes for a specific bill, the committee transcript provides line‑by‑line roll call entries for each vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee Mar 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee considered and voted on more than two dozen bills on its final calendar. This roundup lists each bill, a one‑line description and the committee outcome as recorded in the transcript.","taxTitle","Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",29608,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106704,"Committee advances bill requiring cities to allow connections to long‑standing sewer lines outside city limits",550,1908000,2458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574&start=1908&end=2458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574/thumbnail_1908000.jpg","/articles/6106704/Tennessee/Committee-advances-bill-requiring-cities-to-allow-connections-to-longstanding-sewer-lines-outside-city-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106704-a3d96c4ebd4ed892ac24207ff8b5ab5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789944&Signature=IsO3EC6baDbs98~SRwPvQ7H2qF6fvAzji8AJM9aRIqgnL6aG13V7EKs8qPsJry0ELgq8g54tB2TIefrVI4tebh~F9R0ciWhLfIt4Yl3jg4lgUCEy5CWQIQBu1VJDruKYDXAgVDV5UyYdOoVxdF5uhmt0~k~rgtpQnXVi7JKDnJM3x0y8t5jo~iGTnw5cE9n3Ie40KE-yHeAZCoohc0xqohuEjIAK9-2pn9MEnWVqAgpdzEUet8aQ4KRocQbn-sI9j3wW-cqts5Ra1Y11kEwYSEMTymHV7XGVyuNvetgEWeNv2neT9ytgDCgpU78rH4Kwmvdn1RDufuyRtKJDemci-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Raum Taylor presented Senate Bill 11‑38, legislation aimed at landowners who seek to connect to existing sewer lines a municipality had previously installed outside its corporate limits. The bill would require a city or town that has operated a sewage system outside its boundaries for 25 years or more to continue to operate that system and provide connections to property owners with a gravity sewer line on their property so long as the system has sufficient capacity. Capacity determinations would be based on a study presented to the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation.

Taylor said the measure responds to situations in Shelby County and elsewhere where municipal annexation practices changed and communities that had sewer infrastructure in place found the city would not grant connections. “There are property owners who have paid for that infrastructure ... and now they want to be able to tie into it,” Taylor said.

The committee adopted amendment 4175 to the bill and then heard questions from committee members, most notably Senator Campbell, who pressed on the practical contours: whether the measure applies to failed or defunct systems, and how capacity and safety would be determined. Senator Taylor said the bill contemplates those concerns and requires a regulatory capacity study by the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation before a municipality could stop operating a system.

The amended bill drew a roll‑call vote. The committee vote recorded seven ayes and two noes; the bill goes to finance for further consideration.

The discussion highlighted competing interests: landowners seeking reasonable access to paid‑for infrastructure and municipalities concerned about system capacity, maintenance liabilities and safety. The bill delegates technical capacity assessments to the state regulatory board rather than prescribing engineering thresholds in statute.

","Senate Bill 11‑38 would require municipalities that operated sewer systems outside their boundaries for 25 years or more to continue service so long as sufficient capacity exists; a committee amendment was adopted and the bill moved to finance 7‑2.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106709,"Grundy County asks legislature for local control of biosolids; TDEC warns of legal limits",1213,5781000,6994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574&start=5781&end=6994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574/thumbnail_5781000.jpg","/articles/6106709/Tennessee/Grundy-County-asks-legislature-for-local-control-of-biosolids-TDEC-warns-of-legal-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106709-b93cc53634755080f8e199047a7c549c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789944&Signature=WDuiQhHyDVehYf16RhDRvdFRTA3LSS86s7mwlPl4n7qvUIsoHLaZZ49cDOfpylUp4wbF60XChhtUjN-JnWFlx9Q0ie2xUbZR3mg4RTmT9NhzxvWUom-FUgAmNNd-U5Pjlx8uHIaZaL~LpaBPA43EubuPDtAvbh~wVczsBigU2cikeSN5-Dadyi0DT0fEWGZbRKQ323jpDhMNELMp4djO8t~dpNK3uxW987cZu~QeXccVmBGU3f1Qu03Mjis4taYyD~jYhhEdLmzxyOD5WBNDwicoMyGB-FiMFQchlEK1YSJCEV~VVeT~0b4juc9bbUI8Enl9oRIxTyjXAvdsLcY39g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Dusty Bolling presented Senate Bill 12‑63 after testimony from Grundy County officials seeking local authority over biosolids land application. Mayor Michael Brady of Grundy County described repeated local complaints about land application of wastewater solids and asked the legislature to allow local regulation to protect tourism, water and public health. “We are asking, is just for the authority to regulate. We're not wanting to take any authority away from anybody, but just to enforce the EPA regulations, and the regulations that TDEC goes by now,” Mayor Brady said.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) staff told the committee they are updating the statewide general permit and increasing enforcement capacity, but raised constitutional and statutory objections to a single‑county regulatory carve‑out. Stephanie Dermen, deputy general counsel for TDEC, cited Article II, section 8 of the Tennessee Constitution and prior attorney‑general guidance, saying a law that treats one county differently from the rest of the state faces legal risk. She also pointed to existing statewide rule chapters and statutes that give TDEC authority to regulate biosolids and noted federal oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency.

TDEC’s April Grippo (Division of Water Resources director) said the agency plans permit changes this summer and urged residents to file complaints with TDEC and EPA when violations occur.

Senator Bolling moved an amendment (to make the bill permissive for all counties), but the committee voted the amendment down on a roll call. The final committee vote to place SB 12‑63 on the calendar carried 7 ayes, 1 pass and 1 no.

The debate centered on two competing aims: local officials’ requests for immediate, local remedies to repeated, visible complaints and TDEC’s legal and operational view that statewide permitting and EPA primacy—and constitutional limits on single‑county laws—constrain what the legislature can do without broader changes. Supporters argued Grundy County bears repeated impacts from out‑of‑county biosolids application and needs local enforcement authority. TDEC and the department’s counsel said the agency is revising the statewide general permit and that landfills, composting and other disposal options exist if land application becomes restricted.

Committee members asked about PFAS testing; TDEC said it does not currently test biosolids statewide for PFAS. Several members urged greater enforcement and regional solutions. The committee approved SB 12‑63 for the calendar, leaving open whether further work will expand the bill’s reach or produce a permissive, multi‑county framework.

","Grundy County leaders told the Senate panel they want authority to regulate biosolids land application after repeated local complaints; Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation witnesses warned a single‑county law may face constitutional and federal conflicts and said agency enforcement and a permit update are ongoing.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106711,"Senate committee advances bill to certify chiropractors for animal care after hours of testimony",2403,2798000,5201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574&start=2798&end=5201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779660-39237ea3d5d4b0a4e4e77ba898c33574/thumbnail_2798000.jpg","/articles/6106711/Tennessee/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-certify-chiropractors-for-animal-care-after-hours-of-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106711-093e5488d2bdc9b42f5f30791fcc0bfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789944&Signature=oVncoFR2ow9YJXzT54rj0Y-e7AUVU0UXarQto0uRIX3p19jgAxZfVGeil~HzPxQuEcRLB0pDD6VolCa3zyMJ2KOJIAs-u~4d~9hmitcKJPuzVrxGGtluL4cSqQg7nFyJRCnBAhl~eGtNb72z~ViiWmOfWN9orew1qjhv8uqJrh~GbXAjLa7gpeUpfV3t80FwyTqxr3fQ31S1uKLrrokg0Y1ebRTpibKl1-6Jv0MIHuOJ15O3InyTwgV2QsmXzXrHI9BVLLkIo71gi1BdSNxNVE8speP7MeNnO5esmOs3B1uSQl8STiHhoJlRnbUTweKEDUKP6oh3k6kFP030jv8yww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Karen Bailey on behalf of the administration moved Senate Bill 128, a measure that would authorize the boards that license chiropractors and veterinarians to certify providers to perform animal chiropractic care if they hold a nationally recognized additional credential. The committee adopted an amendment that added certification, continuing education and website‑listing requirements and voted to send the bill to the calendar.

The bill matters because it creates a formal pathway for nonveterinarian chiropractic physicians to receive state endorsement to provide manipulative therapy to animals and sets continuing education and certification standards to do so. Supporters said the measure clarifies an existing practice and provides consumer protections; opponents warned it risks scope‑of‑practice conflicts and patient safety if diagnostic responsibilities are unclear.

Chairman Bailey, the bill sponsor, told the committee the amendment requires chiropractic physicians and veterinarians performing animal chiropractic to have certification from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA), and tasks the Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners with adopting rules to set standards and maintain public lists of certified practitioners. “This training and certification in animal chiropractic care includes both clinical and written work and is nationally recognized by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association,” Bailey said in explaining the amendment.

Veterinarians who testified opposed the bill. Dr. Frankie Loughler, identified as legislative chair for the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), said veterinarians are not against manipulative therapies but objected to nonveterinarians performing diagnostic work. “I don’t think that that qualifies them to diagnose. I’m not saying they cannot manipulate an animal. I’m not saying they can’t do some good. We’re all about maybe collaborating with these people, but we don’t feel like they should be diagnosing the patient,” Loughler said. Dr. Emily McDonald Dryden, also representing the TVMA, described clinical examples where imaging or sedation were required before a safe course of treatment could be chosen.

Chiropractic representatives said certification and the proposed rulemaking would create guardrails. Dr. Richard Cole, vice president of the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, said the AVCA program and its testing provide a recognized standard and that the bill mirrors rules in many other states. Tiffany Stevens, executive director of the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, said the change “creates clear lines for the malpractice information and if those go beyond their scope,” and that the AVCA training includes differential diagnosis elements.

After hearing proponents and opponents, the committee adopted the amendment and voted. The recorded vote was 6 ayes, 2 passes and 1 no; the motion carried and the bill was placed on the calendar for further consideration.

The measure leaves multiple implementation details to the two licensing boards, including how certified chiropractors will collaborate with veterinarians on records, referrals and diagnostics. The committees’ next steps would be rule drafting by the respective boards and any implementing language the legislature later adopts.

Sponsors, witnesses and committee members said they would continue discussions over the summer about cross‑professional communication and reporting of outcomes.

","The Senate Energy, Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee voted to place Senate Bill 128 on the calendar after extended testimony from veterinarians and chiropractic advocates over training, diagnosis and scope of practice for clinicians treating animals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee votes: quick roundup of bills advanced or acted on by the Senate Energy, Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee

Committee advances bill requiring cities to allow connections to long‑standing sewer lines outside city limits

Grundy County asks legislature for local control of biosolids; TDEC warns of legal limits

Senate committee advances bill to certify chiropractors for animal care after hours of testimony