House Bill 896, sponsored by Todd, introduces the "Sound Science in Regulations Act" to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 5. The bill stipulates that regulatory actions related to drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, and air quality cannot be proposed or finalized unless they are supported by the best available science. This includes ensuring that any scientific information used is reliable, unbiased, and subject to independent verification, with a focus on studies published in refereed journals. The bill defines "regulatory action" broadly, encompassing various health advisories, standards, and assessments.

The provisions of this bill will apply only to regulatory actions adopted on or after July 1, 2025, that are more stringent than federal regulations or enacted in the absence of federal action. It explicitly states that it will not affect existing regulatory actions prior to this date, actions required by federal agency primacy, or those that are substantively equivalent to federal regulations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of sound scientific practices in regulatory decision-making.