All Roll Calls
Yes: 163 • No: 44
TennesseeSB 0670114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 4; Title 66; Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 4 and Title 69, relative to wetlands.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Water Pollution
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Landowners face fewer wetland permit requirements
Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee allows some isolated wetland changes without notice, approval, or payments to replace lost wetlands. This covers artificial isolated wetlands of any size, low-quality isolated wetlands up to 1 acre, and moderate-quality ones up to 1/4 acre. Projects must avoid toxic discharges, keep sediment, petroleum, and other chemical pollutants out of surface waters, and immediately address spills, including groundwater risks. Low-quality wetlands over 1 acre through 2 acres need a general permit; moderate-quality wetlands over 1/4 acre through 2 acres do too. When replacement is required, the maximum replacement-to-impact ratio is 1:1 for moderate-quality wetlands over 1/4 acre through 1 acre. The maximum is 2:1 for moderate-quality wetlands over 1 acre through 2 acres, and 1:1 for low-quality wetlands in that range. Existing permanent stormwater controls on the site count when setting the replacement amount; there is no fixed credit. Low- or moderate-quality wetlands over 2 acres, and high-quality isolated wetlands of any size, require an individual permit. The Commissioner can increase specified low- and moderate-quality acreage limits. General permits cannot impose streamside buffers, combined-impact studies, or reviews aimed at preventing water-quality decline under this part. Related state requirements are also limited, with exceptions for authorized mitigation or federal law.
Developers get deadlines for wetland reviews
People seeking to develop property can submit a third-party wetland professional's report on wetland presence, boundaries, isolation status, and quality. It must include required boundary mapping, isolation records when applicable, and a quality finding. Mapping must follow the January 1987 Army Corps manual and applicable regional supplements, or a method allowed by Board rules. The report must follow department procedures and guidance and be certified as true, accurate, and complete. Its findings are presumed correct unless the Commissioner gives written notice of a significant question. The notice deadline is 30 days for reports covering 10 or fewer wetlands, or 60 days for more than 10. After notice, the Commissioner must issue a written decision within 30 days. Submitters can appeal to the Board within 30 days after receiving the decision and must explain the appeal's basis.
Lighter project reviews narrow wetland oversight
Permit authorities must exclude isolated and artificial isolated wetlands when reviewing a project's combined impacts. This applies even when the project also includes wetlands under federal jurisdiction. For Clean Water Act Section 401 water-quality certifications, authorities must also exclude them when assessing a common development plan. These exclusions reduce review burdens for applicants but narrow the wetland impacts agencies can consider.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Joey Hensley
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/21/2025
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025
Yes: 71 • No: 21
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/14/2025
Yes: 25 • No: 6
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Table Amend# 4 by Senator Campbell Third Consideration 4/14/2025
Yes: 26 • No: 6
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Table Amend# 3 by Senator Campbell Third Consideration 4/14/2025
Yes: 26 • No: 6
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Yes: 8 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Yes: 7 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 07/01/2025
5/15/2025Pub. Ch. 437
5/15/2025Signed by Governor.
5/9/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
5/1/2025SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2025HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/29/2025SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/25/2025SenatePassed H., Ayes 71, Nays 21, PNV 1
4/21/2025HouseAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0225)
4/21/2025HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/21/2025HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
4/15/2025HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
4/14/2025SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6
4/14/2025SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0164)
4/14/2025SenateAmendment tabled (Amendment 4 - SA0414)
4/14/2025SenateAmendment tabled (Amendment 3 - SA0413)
4/14/2025SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0403)
4/14/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2025
4/11/2025SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 3 PNV 0
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/9/2025
4/9/2025SenateAction deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 4/9/2025
4/8/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2025
4/7/2025SenateRule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/8/2025
4/7/2025SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Finance, Ways & Means Committee Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0
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
HA0225
Introduced
SA0164
SA0403
SA0413
SA0414
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