House Bill 2009, also known as Senate Bill 2027, amends Tennessee Code Annotated to allow counties or municipalities to request a highway traffic noise study from the Department of Transportation. This request can be made if a tree zone has been removed or cleared behind residential properties for reasons unrelated to highway construction, and if there is no existing shielding or noise barrier in place. The bill defines key terms such as "noise barrier," which refers to physical obstructions that reduce highway traffic noise, and "shielding," which includes natural or man-made structures that provide auditory barriers.

The new section added to Title 54, Chapter 1, Part 1 outlines the conditions under which a noise study can be requested and provides definitions for relevant terminology, including "tree zone," which describes a dense area of trees that blocks the view along the sound propagation path of a state highway. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the importance of addressing highway traffic noise for residential areas.