Agriculture, Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes the commissioner to designate an existing organizational unit of the department as the office of rural prosperity and consolidate within that office some or all of the department's duties related to improving the well-being of rural communities in this state. - Amends TCA Section 1-3-105; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 9; Title 13; Title 43; Title 44; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 61; Title 64; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

HB 983 reorganizes Tennessee's Agriculture Department by creating a new "Office of Rural Prosperity" within the existing structure. It allows the Agriculture Commissioner to combine the department's current duties related to rural community well-being into this single office, without adding new programs. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to formally establish this reorganization and streamline how rural-focused work is managed. This is a procedural change affecting how the department operates, not a new policy or funding measure.