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TennesseeHB 0894114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 69, relative to the board of ground water management.

Sponsored By: Chris Todd (Republican)

Became Law

Boards and Commissions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Effective July 2025 and code updates

The act takes effect July 1, 2025. It adds the Board of Ground Water Management to the correct code listing and removes a referenced subdivision from § 4-29-246(a). These updates align the statutes and do not by themselves change fees, taxes, or who can get a license.

Stricter license reviews and training oversight

Before a well driller or installer license is issued, the board reviews the application, gives the licensure test, and privately interviews the applicant, then recommends for or against issuance. The board must adopt rules that spell out the criteria it uses for recommendations. The board reviews complaints and rule violations and recommends remedies; the department must send a full list at least every three months, and remedies are presented at the next appropriate meeting. The board also reviews continuing education classes, recommends which to issue, and approves continuing education points.

Groundwater board reshaped with industry seats

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Board of Ground Water Management is a five-member advisory board. The Commissioner and the Water Resources Director sit on the board but do not vote. Three members are Tennessee-licensed well drillers and pump installers, one from each grand division. Three alternates from the same divisions may fill in when designated and must meet the same qualifications. Initial industry terms are staggered—west 1 year (House Speaker appointee), middle 2 years (Governor), east 3 years (Senate Speaker); after that, all terms are three years starting July 1, with no more than two consecutive terms, excluding the initial terms. The Commissioner chairs the board and the Director is secretary; the board meets at least quarterly, sets the next meeting each quarter, a quorum is two members, and members get travel pay under state rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chris Todd

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 203 • No: 20

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/22/2025

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025

Yes: 81 • No: 11

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 19 • No: 8

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 27 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2025

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 1

House vote • 4/1/2025

HOUSE AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2025

HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 507

    5/27/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2025

    5/27/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/21/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/9/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/8/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/28/2025House

  8. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/22/2025Senate

  9. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0239)

    4/21/2025House

  12. H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0318)

    4/21/2025House

  13. Passed H., as am., Ayes 81, Nays 11, PNV 0

    4/21/2025House

  14. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/21/2025House

  15. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    4/17/2025House

  16. Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/17/2025House

  17. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025

    4/17/2025House

  18. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2025

    4/17/2025House

  19. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025

    4/16/2025House

  20. Placed behind the budget

    4/14/2025House

  21. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025

    4/14/2025House

  22. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025

    4/9/2025House

  23. Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

    4/8/2025House

  24. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    4/7/2025House

  25. Placed on cal. Government Operations Committee for 4/7/2025

    4/2/2025House

Bill Text

  • HA0318 (Substitute)

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • HA0239

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0245

    PDF

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