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SB2006 • 2026

Sewage

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

Crime Labor
Active

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

Sponsor
Hatcher, Howell
Last action
2026-02-05
Official status
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on enforcement or penalties for non-business individuals, leaving this information uncertain.

Making Unlawful Sewage Disposal a More Serious Crime

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

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the penalty for improper disposal of sewage by workers into a Class B misdemeanor, which is more severe than before.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who work in the business of removing accumulated wastes from subsurface sewage disposal systems will face stricter penalties if they improperly dispose of sewage.

Terms To Know

Class B misdemeanor
A type of crime that is considered more serious than a Class C misdemeanor and can result in harsher penalties such as fines or jail time.
Subsurface sewage disposal system
An underground system used to store and treat waste water from homes or buildings before it is released into the environment.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify penalties for individuals who improperly dispose of sewage but are not working in the business of removing accumulated wastes.
  • It's unclear how this change will affect enforcement and penalties for non-business individuals who dispose of sewage improperly.

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

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  3. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee

  4. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

  5. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  6. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  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 
HOUSE BILL 1809
By Howell

SENATE BILL 2006
By Hatcher
SB2006
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.