PRIA Logo™
TennesseeHB 2070114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 60 and Title 68, relative to the "Tennessee Energy Freedom Act."

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Energy

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fast court process to lock emissions records

Starting July 1, 2026, if you must file reports, you can ask a court to declare your covered emissions for one or more periods. The court can use a set formula or your supported calculation, and it notes third‑party‑verified numbers. If you choose a court‑determined calculation and your total is under 10% of the “annual emissions baseline” times the years, the law treats your in‑state emissions as zero for that period; the baseline is the highest combined CO2 of China and India in any one year in the last five years. Cases name the Department of Environment and Conservation as defendant; website notice counts as service; courts decide within 60 days; no fees are awarded; only you may appeal. The declaration is a final record (except where federal or necessary state law requires a different method), and you or the attorney general can sue any government that refuses to honor it.

Limits on emissions lawsuits for fossil fuel businesses

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law protects the right to do and invest in coal, oil, and gas work. Courts and covered governments cannot issue injunctions or assign liability for covered emissions unless a violation of the Clean Air Act or another federal environmental law is proven; then remedies are under federal law. Any claim must be based only on in‑jurisdiction products (fossil‑fuel products shipped into the state), unless federal law requires a different method. The chapter applies to past actions and beyond Tennessee’s borders. People or companies harmed by a violation, and the Tennessee attorney general, can sue for declaratory or injunctive relief and nominal damages.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Kip Capley

    Republican • House

  • John Crawford

    Republican • House

  • Jake McCalmon

    Republican • House

  • Debra Moody

    Republican • House

  • Jay D. Reedy

    Republican • House

  • Greg Vital

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 46

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/23/2026

Yes: 26 • No: 5

House vote • 3/12/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/12/2026

Yes: 69 • No: 18

House vote • 3/12/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/12/2026

Yes: 67 • No: 19

House vote • 3/9/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

HOUSE AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 3

House vote • 2/18/2026

HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 07/01/2026

    4/24/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 756

    4/24/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/16/2026

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/7/2026House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/1/2026House

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

    3/24/2026House

  8. Passed Senate, Ayes 26, Nays 5

    3/23/2026Senate

  9. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    3/23/2026Senate

  10. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/16/2026Senate

  11. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/12/2026House

  12. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/12/2026House

  13. Passed H., Ayes 69, Nays 18, PNV 1

    3/12/2026House

  14. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/12/2026

    3/9/2026House

  15. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/9/2026House

  16. Objected to on Consent Calendar.

    3/9/2026House

  17. H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/9/2026

    3/5/2026House

  18. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/5/2026

    3/4/2026House

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

    3/3/2026House

  20. Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 3/3/2026

    2/25/2026House

  21. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

    2/18/2026House

  22. Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 2/18/2026

    2/11/2026House

  23. Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee

    2/4/2026House

  24. P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

    2/4/2026House

  25. Intro., P1C.

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation