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TennesseeHB 1645114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT relative to the designation of a division of the General Sessions Court of Tipton County as the Environmental Court.

Sponsored By: Debra Moody (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Tipton County

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger code enforcement with capped penalties

Once Tipton County designates an Environmental Court, the judge can issue injunctions under Rule 65. If you are found guilty of a county code violation, the judge can order you to fix it at your expense. The judge may appoint a master to help manage cases. If you willfully disobey a fix-it order, contempt penalties are capped at $50 and up to 10 days in jail per violation. These rules cover health, housing, fire, land subdivision, building, and zoning codes.

Environmental Court can hear town code cases

The Environmental Court judge has jurisdiction over municipal ordinance cases inside Tipton County. This covers town rules on health, housing, fire, land subdivision, building, and zoning. Cases can be heard and decided in this court for municipalities within the county.

Tipton County can create Environmental Court

The law lets Tipton County name a division of its General Sessions Court as the Environmental Court. This only takes full effect if the county legislative body approves it by a two-thirds vote. The presiding officer must announce the result and send it to the secretary of state. The law is effective now only for holding that local vote.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Debra Moody

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 157 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/23/2026

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 3/16/2026

FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/16/2026

Yes: 94 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 2

House vote • 3/4/2026

HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 2/9/2026

HOUSE PRIVATE ACTS COMMITTEE

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/16/2026

  2. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/7/2026House

  3. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/1/2026House

  4. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

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

    3/24/2026House

  6. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    3/23/2026Senate

  7. Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0

    3/23/2026Senate

  8. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/19/2026Senate

  9. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/17/2026House

  10. Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0

    3/16/2026House

  11. H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/16/2026

    3/12/2026House

  12. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/12/2026

    3/11/2026House

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

    3/4/2026House

  14. Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/4/2026

    2/25/2026House

  15. Rec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government Committee

    2/9/2026House

  16. Placed on cal. Private Acts Committee for 2/9/2026

    2/4/2026House

  17. P2C, ref. to Private Acts Committee - State & Local Government Committee

    1/21/2026House

  18. Intro., P1C.

    1/15/2026House

  19. Filed for introduction

    1/14/2026House

Bill Text

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