TennesseePublic providers may work on certain private water and sewer lines
Starting July 1, 2026, municipalities and other public entities may work on certain private lines if owners consent and agree to protect them from claims tied to the work.
What it does
Municipalities and other public entities may work on certain private water or sewer lines if the owner agrees. They are not required to do the work, and the lines must meet specific health or sewer system conditions.
Argument forWith an owner's consent, public providers may repair certain private lines to address lead risks or sewer overflows and related health or capacity problems.
Argument againstOwners must agree to protect the public provider from claims tied to the work, which could leave them with fewer ways to seek compensation if problems arise.
More detail
Municipalities and other public entities may maintain or build certain private water or sewer lines. Water work covers only the private line from the utility-owned meter to the outside edge of the served building, for serious health issues involving lead lines or galvanized lines that federal drinking water rules require to be replaced. Sewer work covers private lines where excessive groundwater or rainwater inflow is causing sewer overflows or other serious health or system capacity issues. The property owner must consent and agree to hold the public entity harmless for the work. The public entity is allowed, but not required, to do the work. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1055Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 29Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 22Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0779)Minor
- Apr 22Passed H., Ayes 89, Nays 0, PNV 1Passed House
- Mar 12Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 9Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/9/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0616)
- Mar 9Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0592)
- Mar 9Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Mar 9Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 6Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/9/2026
- Mar 4Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0 3/4/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 25Sponsor change.Minor
- Feb 25Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
- 2025
- Feb 12Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources CommitteeMinor
- Feb 10Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 31Filed for introductionIntroduced
Environment & EnergyPublic Safety