House Bill 1509, also known as Senate Bill 1750, amends Tennessee Code Annotated to establish new regulations regarding the withdrawal of water by utilities for drinking water purposes. The bill defines a "utility" as an entity providing drinking water services that is either publicly owned or operated or subject to the jurisdiction of the Tennessee board of utility regulation. It stipulates that the Department of Environment and Conservation cannot prohibit a utility from withdrawing water from natural sources for drinking water, except when compliance with specific federal laws is required, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Water Pollution Control Act, or the Endangered Species Act.

Additionally, if the department does impose such a prohibition, it must provide the utility with written notice detailing the basis for the action and citing the relevant federal law. The bill also allows utilities to submit complaints to the board if they believe the department has violated the provisions regarding water withdrawal. This act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to actions taken on or after that date.