A Tennessee bill to give Grundy County the authority to regulate biosolids has been kicked to the 2026 calendar in the state house, while state officials continue improvements they say are in the works to address the problem.
Action was deferred on house bill 1122, sponsored by Rush Bricken, R-Tullahoma, in an agriculture and natural resources subcommittee to the first calendar of 2026. Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, sponsored the senate companion, senate bill 1263.
The two lawmakers contend the small, rural county is being taken advantage of by its larger metropolitan neighbors, and county residents should have some control. Bricken said the county needs to protect its citizens from the smelly problem and its potential health impacts.
During Bricken’s presentation to the house subcommittee, Grundy County Mayor Michael Brady testified that the county already operates its own sewer system, tests the waste and performs some land application under county supervision. Brady said county residents are also allowed to do their own percolation tests for residential sewage systems under state law.
“What is wrong with having another layer of protection?” Brady asked the panel. “Because another year of this being spread is another year that we have three schools that are within half a mile of where this is being spread, less than half a mile from the county seat.”