Senate Bill 1883, also known as House Bill 2534, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to contested cases. The bill establishes that if an operator files an appeal regarding a citation or penalty, the proceedings must be conducted as a contested case before an administrative judge. The judge is required to hold a scheduling conference within 30 days of the appeal and ensure that the hearing is completed within 180 days, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties or extended for good cause. The administrative judge must issue an initial order within 90 days of the hearing's record completion, and this order is final unless appealed to the board within 15 days. The board's review of the initial order is limited to the record and conducted de novo, meaning it does not presume correctness of the administrative judge's decision.

Additionally, the bill modifies several sections to ensure that hearings related to permits, orders, or assessments are also treated as contested cases, with similar timelines and procedures for scheduling, issuing orders, and appeals. The amendments aim to streamline the process for resolving disputes and ensure timely hearings while maintaining the rights of the parties involved. The act will take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the importance of public welfare in its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 60-1-401(h), 60-1-401, 68-201-108(a)(1), 68-201-108, 68-211-113(b), 68-211-113, 68-212-113(b), 68-212-113, 68-215-119(b), 68-215-119, 69-3-110(a), 69-3-110