2025 Legislative Priorities
At Harpeth Conservancy, we believe that strong, science-based policies are essential to protecting Tennessee’s rivers, streams, and clean water for future generations. Our legislative priorities focus on advancing laws and regulations that safeguard water quality, promote sustainable growth, and uphold the rights of communities to access safe, healthy waterways. Through collaboration with policymakers and community engagement, we work to ensure that clean water remains a priority at the local and state levels. Explore our key policy initiatives, legislative updates, and advocacy resources to learn how you can take action and make a difference.
Interested in getting involved with legislative advocacy?
Email Marie at mariecampbell@harpethriver.org
Our Legislative Focus
Protect Tennessee Wetlands: HB0541/SB0670
Filed in the 2025 session, this bill strips all state-level protections for wetlands not protected by federal law. If the bill passes, between 300,000 and 450,000 acres of TN wetlands will lose all legal protections.
Protect TN Scenic Rivers: HB0895 / SB0725
This bill would remove the two-mile buffer between Class II Scenic Rivers and landfills. It could allow for landfill sites to be developed and/or expanded near scenic rivers, ultimately reducing environmental protections.
Decentralized Wastewater Systems: Amendment 003852 to HB0803/SB0564
This bill is an effort by some who want to be able to build decentralized wastewater treatment systems without meeting specific requirements to protect public health by the local sewer utility.
This bill does nothing to address the extensive problem of that 51% of the 360 active land application sewer systems in TN do not comply with state permits! As well, of those 360 systems, 26% have major issues risking water quality pollution and public health according to a statewide inspection in 2024 by TDEC.
Drip Investigation Survey Results
Bills We're Watching
Wetlands Mitigation: HB0612/SB0664
Reduces mitigation requirements under ARAP permits if the permit would have qualified for a general permit but for the size of the area. This would result in no mitigation requirements for the amount of area that would not require mitigation under a general permit.
Additional Legislation Impacting Rivers & Waterways
Protect Regulation of Chemicals HB0896/SB0880
This bill threatens to create substantial barriers to any state agency creating regulations related to chemical exposures, including those in drinking water and air quality. Proffered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the bill would require such regulations to be based on the “best available science,” which is defined to exclude reliance on scientific journals that charge a fee to authors for publication. This would preclude reliance on many highly reputable journals, such as the Journal of American Medical Association.
