All Roll Calls
Yes: 52 • No: 0
TennesseeSB 0520114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 64, Chapter 1, Part 11, relative to the West Tennessee River Basin Authority.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Water Authorities
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Counties choose science-based river basin programs
The law replaces named river basin boundaries with a 24-county service area for the West Tennessee River Basin Authority. It includes Lauderdale, Lake, Dyer, Obion, Madison, Weakley, Henry, Gibson, Carroll, Benton, Decatur, Hardin, Haywood, Crockett, Henderson, Chester, McNairy, Tipton, Fayette, Hardeman, Perry, Stewart, Houston, and Humphreys counties. Each listed county can join the programs with approval from a majority of its county legislative body. The authority’s activities now emphasize education, outreach, and science. The law took effect immediately upon becoming law.
Counties can levy river project property taxes
The authority can receive county money for planning, buying land and facilities, and construction. County funding can also cover operating, managing, and maintaining its works, facilities, and programs. Counties can choose to levy property taxes for these purposes; the law does not require them. Taxes must target real property within the county’s authority service area that the county determines benefits from the works and programs. The law sets no tax rate or dollar amount and creates no statewide tax.
Four counties face river service limits
The authority has narrower service options in Perry, Stewart, Houston, and Humphreys counties. There, it can provide only technical assistance, engineering services, and project management support to the county. These limits remain in place when a county chooses to participate.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Stevens
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/20/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 4/20/2026
Yes: 32 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/15/2026
SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 05/13/2026
5/18/2026Pub. Ch. 966
5/18/2026Signed by Governor.
5/13/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
5/5/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
5/1/2026HouseEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/23/2026SenateSigned by Senate Speaker
4/23/2026SenatePassed H., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0
4/20/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/20/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
4/20/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
4/20/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 4/20/2026
4/17/2026SenateRecommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
4/15/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2026
4/14/2026SenateAction deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 4/15/2026
4/14/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
4/14/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/14/2026
4/9/2026SenateRule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/14/2026
4/9/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2025
4/17/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2025
4/14/2025SenateRule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/15/2025
4/14/2025SenateRecommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
3/26/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/26/2025
3/19/2025SenateAction deferred in Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee to 3/26/2025
3/19/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/19/2025
3/13/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
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