Sewage

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

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Howell, Hatcher
Last action: 2026-04-07
Official status: Transmitted to Governor for his action.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details about enforcement and its impact, leaving these points uncertain.

Tennessee Law Against Unlawful Sewage Disposal

This law makes it a more serious crime for people who remove waste from septic tanks to improperly dispose of sewage and revokes their business permits if they break the rules multiple times.

What This Bill Does

Makes it a Class B misdemeanor (a more severe offense) when someone who removes waste from subsurface sewage disposal systems disposes of sewage in ways that are not allowed while engaged in this business.
Requires courts to tell the commissioner of environment and conservation about any violations by people who remove waste from septic tanks.
Suspends or revokes business permits for up to 30 days after a first violation, up to 90 days after a second violation, and permanently if there is a third or more violations.

Who It Names or Affects

People who remove waste from subsurface sewage disposal systems
Courts that handle cases involving improper sewage disposal
The commissioner of environment and conservation

Terms To Know

Class B misdemeanor: A more serious type of crime than a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail or a fine of up to $500.
Subsurface sewage disposal system: A private waste management system that treats and disposes of wastewater underground.

Limits and Unknowns

The law does not specify what happens if someone violates the rules before July 1, 2026.
It is unclear how strictly this law will be enforced or how many people it will affect.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HA0623

Amendment 1-0 to HB2355

Plain English: The amendment changes penalties for businesses removing waste from sewage systems who violate disposal rules, making their offenses a higher level misdemeanor and allowing for permit suspension or revocation.

Increases the penalty to a Class B misdemeanor if someone violates waste removal laws while working in the business of removing accumulated wastes from subsurface sewage disposal systems.
Requires courts to notify the commissioner who can then suspend or revoke permits based on violations, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses.

The exact impact and enforcement details are not fully explained beyond what is provided in the amendment text.

SA0705

Amendment 1-0 to SB2532

Plain English: The amendment changes penalties for unlawful disposal of waste by sewage removal businesses from a Class C misdemeanor to a more severe Class B misdemeanor and adds permit suspension or revocation rules based on the number of violations.

Increases the penalty for unlawful disposal of waste by sewage removal businesses from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor.
Adds provisions that allow the commissioner to suspend or revoke permits for up to 90 days after a second violation, and permanently revoke permits after a third or subsequent violation.

The amendment text does not specify all details about how permit suspensions or revocations will be enforced beyond what is stated in the summary action under § 4-5-320(c).

Bill History

2026-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly
Signed by Senate Speaker
2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly
Signed by H. Speaker
2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed Senate, Ayes 29, Nays 0
2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0705)
2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly
Companion House Bill substituted
2026-03-20 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/23/2026
2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed H., as am., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 0
2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0623)
2026-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/16/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/12/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
2026-03-10 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
2026-03-09 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 3/10/2026
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Action deferred in Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee to 3/11/2026
2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Present law provides that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor for all of the following acts, punishable by up to 30 days in prison, a fine of up to $50, or both:



Disposing of water carrying human waste, household or business waste, or to pipe or transmit raw sewage or the effluent from any septic tank or other system of any type, into or on public or private property. Each day of continued violation after conviction constitutes a separate offense.



Disposing of sewage or effluent from a subsurface sewage disposal system into an existing or abandoned well or well dug or drilled for that purpose, caves, sinkholes, ditches, streams, or surface of the ground.



Discharging sewage or other waste or contaminant at such proximity to the intake, well or spring serving a public water system in such a manner or quantity that it will, or will likely, endanger the health or safety of customers of the system or cause damage to the system.

This bill provides that it is a Class B misdemeanor if a person commits any of the above offenses while engaged in the business of removing accumulated waste from subsurface sewage disposal systems, which is a system, other than a public or community sys
tem, which receives sewage. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both.

REVOCATION OF PERMITS

Upon a conviction for a violation of this bill, this bill requires the court to notify the commissioner of environment and conservation who must suspend or revoke the person's permit to engage in the business of removing accumulated waste from subsurface
sewage disposal systems, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as follows:



For a first violation, the commissioner must suspend the person's permit, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable, for 30 days.



For a second violation, the commissioner must suspend the person's permit, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable, for 90 days.



For a third or subsequent violation, the commissioner must permanently revoke the person's permit or permanently refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable.

ON MARCH 16, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND
PASSED HOUSE BILL 2355, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 c
larifies that the commissioner may revoke or refuse to issue a permit for an initial or second violation and that this bill does not limit the commissioner's authority to suspend or revoke a permit.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SENATE BILL 2532
By Hatcher

HOUSE BILL 2355
By Howell
HB2355
012066
- 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)
(A) 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.
(B) Upon a conviction for a violation of this section as described in
subdivision (d)(2)(A), the court shall notify the commissioner of environment and
conservation who shall suspend or revoke the person's permit to engage in the
business of removing accumulated wastes from subsurface sewage disposal
systems, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as follows:
(i) For a first violation, the commissioner shall suspend the
person's permit, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable,
for thirty (30) days;
(ii) For a second violation, the commissioner shall suspend the
person's permit, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable,
for ninety (90) days; and

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(iii) For a third or subsequent violation, the commissioner shall
permanently revoke the person's permit or permanently refuse to issue
the person such permit, as applicable.
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)
(A) 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.
(B) Upon a conviction for a violation of § 68-221-406(a)(7) as described
in subdivision (a)(2)(A), the court shall notify the commissioner who shall
suspend or revoke the person's permit to engage in the business of removing
accumulated wastes from subsurface sewage disposal systems, or refuse to
issue the person such permit, as follows:
(i) For a first violation, the commissioner shall suspend the
person's permit, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable,
for thirty (30) days;
(ii) For a second violation, the commissioner shall suspend the
person's permit, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable,
for ninety (90) days; and

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(iii) For a third or subsequent violation, the commissioner shall
permanently revoke the person's permit or permanently refuse to issue
the person such permit, as applicable.
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.
(B)
(i) 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.
(ii) Upon a conviction for a violation under § 68-221-711(5) as described
in subdivision (f)(1)(B)(i), the court shall notify the commissioner who shall
suspend or revoke the person's permit to engage in the business of removing
accumulated wastes from subsurface sewage disposal systems, or refuse to
issue the person such permit, as follows:
(a) For a first violation, the commissioner shall suspend the
person's permit, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable,
for thirty (30) days;
(b) For a second violation, the commissioner shall suspend the
person's permit, or refuse to issue the person such permit, as applicable,
for ninety (90) days; and

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(c) For a third or subsequent violation, the commissioner shall
permanently revoke the person's permit or permanently refuse to issue
the person such permit, as applicable.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to any violation committed on or after that date.