Tennessee Senate Bill SB1468

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 11; Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 5; Title 54; Title 68 and Title 69, relative to litter.

Impact

The bill mandates that all relevant state departments and agencies provide assistance to TACIR in its study. By establishing a formal study, SB1468 aims to shed light on how litter impacts both the maintenance of state parks and their ecological health. The findings and any subsequent recommendations are to be reported back to the General Assembly by January 1, 2024, highlighting an impending timeline for action based on the study's outcomes. This creates a framework for legislative or administrative response to littering issues identified in the report.

Summary

Senate Bill 1468 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning litter, specifically focusing on the maintenance of state parks and their natural resources. The bill directs the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to conduct a comprehensive study regarding the severity and effects of litter on state parks, emphasizing the need for effective management and preservation of these natural areas. The study must utilize TACIR's existing resources, indicating the intention to streamline the evaluation process without requiring additional funding or resources.

Contention

While the bill primarily seeks to address environmental concerns, there may be contention surrounding the effectiveness of such studies and the appropriate legislative responses to tackle litter. Stakeholders may debate the scope of the report, the potential for the legislation to translate into actionable policies, and how it may affect funding for park maintenance. Discussion around the responsibility of citizens versus state management in addressing littering issues could also emerge, potentially resulting in differing views on enforcement and public education efforts.