Senate Bill 2551 amends Tennessee Code Annotated to establish regulations regarding the disposal of solid waste in landfills located outside the territorial boundaries of an exporting jurisdiction. The bill defines key terms such as "exporting jurisdiction," "host community agreement," and "host county or municipality." It stipulates that an exporting jurisdiction cannot dispose of or contract for the disposal of solid waste in another jurisdiction's landfill without a host community agreement, which must outline the agreement's duration, compensation, truck routes, environmental protections, and be approved by the governing bodies of both jurisdictions in a public meeting. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Environment must have a copy of the host community agreement before issuing or renewing permits for solid waste disposal facilities accepting out-of-county waste.

The bill also includes provisions that exempt existing valid contracts entered into before July 1, 2026, from these requirements until they expire or are renewed, as well as emergency circumstances declared by the governor or commissioner. Furthermore, it allows host counties or municipalities to impose additional conditions or fees on out-of-county waste. The new regulations will apply to all contracts for solid waste disposal entered into on or after July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-211-814(b), 68-211-814