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HB1809 • 2026

Sewage

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 68, Chapter 221, relative to unlawful disposal of waste.

Crime
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Howell, Hatcher
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or additional preventive measures.

Making Unlawful Sewage Disposal a More Serious Crime

This bill changes Tennessee law to increase penalties for improper disposal of sewage by those in the business of removing waste from subsurface sewage systems.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the penalty for unlawful disposal of sewage by individuals engaged in the removal of accumulated wastes from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who remove waste from subsurface sewage disposal systems
  • The Tennessee state government and local authorities responsible for enforcing environmental laws

Terms To Know

Class B misdemeanor
A more serious type of crime that can result in a fine or jail time.
Class C misdemeanor
A less serious type of crime with smaller penalties than a Class B misdemeanor.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the stricter penalties will be enforced.
  • It is unclear what additional measures, if any, are taken to prevent improper sewage disposal beyond changing the penalty classification.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee

  2. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee

  3. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

  4. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  5. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  6. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  7. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 2006
By Hatcher

HOUSE BILL 1809
By Howell
HB1809
010799
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39
and Title 68, Chapter 221, relative to unlawful
disposal of waste.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-102(d), is amended by
deleting the subsection and substituting:
(1) Except as provided in subdivision (d)(2), an offense under this section is a
Class C misdemeanor.
(2) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor if the person
commits the offense while engaged in the business of removing accumulated wastes
from subsurface sewage disposal systems, as defined in § 68-221-402.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-221-413(a), is amended by
deleting the subsection and substituting:
(1) Except as provided in subdivision (a)(2), a violation of this part or rules
promulgated pursuant to this part is a Class C misdemeanor.
(2) An offense under § 68-221-406(a)(7) involving the unlawful disposal of
sewage or effluent from a subsurface sewage disposal system is a Class B
misdemeanor if the person commits the offense while engaged in the business of
removing accumulated wastes from subsurface sewage disposal systems.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-221-713(f)(1), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(A) Except as provided in subdivision (f)(1)(B), a violation of this part or rules
promulgated pursuant to this part is a Class C misdemeanor.

- 2 - 010799

(B) An offense under § 68-221-711(5) involving the unlawful discharge of
sewage or any other waste or contaminant is a Class B misdemeanor if the person
commits the offense while engaged in the business of removing accumulated wastes
from subsurface sewage disposal systems, as defined in § 68-221-402.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.