Environment
Positive outlook
70%
Benefits
- Better waste management
- Reduction in septic failures
- Improved community sanitation
Risks
- Increased stress on treatment plants
- Risk of overflow events
- Operational energy requirements
StateTennesseeIntroduced
HB 2385: Sewage - As enacted, clarifies that a utility system providing waste water service must provide a connection if certain criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 35; Title 7, Chapter 82 and Title 68, Chapter 221.
Kevin Vaughan
HB 2385 status: Introduced — Comp. became Pub. Ch. 1113 (updated May 27, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
66OUT OF 100
Score:66/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 55/100
Constitutionality90%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion80%
Bill summary
What changes
The bill mandates that utility systems providing wastewater services must connect properties that meet specific, state-defined eligibility criteria, preventing utilities from arbitrarily denying such connections.
Who is affected
Property owners seeking sewer connections and public/private wastewater utility systems operating in Tennessee.
Requirements and enforcement
Utilities must approve connections for applicants who satisfy the statutory requirements.
Costs and funding
Utilities may incur capital expenditures for line extensions or capacity upgrades; costs may be passed on to the rate base, though not specified in the abstract.
When it takes effect
The bill is enacted as Public Chapter 1113.
Potential benefits
Ensures equitable access to wastewater infrastructure and promotes public health by moving properties away from potentially failing individual septic systems.
Risks and tradeoffs
Potential for system overloading if infrastructure capacity is insufficient and potential for increased service costs for existing utility users.
What is still unknown
The specific eligibility criteria and the precise definition of 'utility system' scope remain unclear without full legislative text.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Expands utility customer base
- Predictable access to services
- Housing development support
Risks
- Compliance costs for utilities
- Rate increase risks for users
- Administrative implementation burdens
Society
Positive outlook
65%
Benefits
- Improved sanitation for homes
- Housing accessibility support
- Uniform service standards
Risks
- Potential utility fee increases
- Construction disruption risks
- Unequal service demand patterns
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified
Risks
- No material direct effect identified
Civic Accountability
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Limits arbitrary denial of service
- Clarifies utility obligations
- Creates administrative standards
Risks
- Reduced utility discretionary power
- Implementation enforcement burdens
- Regulatory compliance documentation
Public Health & Safety
Positive outlook
75%
Benefits
- Universal access to treatment
- Reduction in pathogen risks
- Enhanced community sanitation
Risks
- Potential system overload risks
- Service interruption during expansion
- Increased maintenance pressure
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
LegiScan returned a PDF-only document. PDF extraction is not enabled in this build, so the pipeline used a safer fallback.
Analysis scope
Source provided is an abstract; exact language of eligibility criteria is not visible.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
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06
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