Agriculture, Dept. of - As enacted, establishes a fund for the development and implementation of programs that benefit Tennesseans by preserving farmland and forestland, including a grant program for conservation easements. - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 1, Part 1.
SB 207 creates a new "farmland preservation fund" within Tennessee's state budget to support the long-term protection of agricultural and forested land. The fund provides grants to help farmers and foresters place permanent conservation easements on their property - legal agreements that prevent development while allowing farming or forestry activities. These grants can be awarded directly to landowners or to qualified nonprofit organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups) that hold the easements, with requirements including proof of the easement agreement and ongoing agricultural use. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will manage the fund, and unspent money will carry forward annually instead of reverting to the general budget.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025
Signed May 12, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 21, 2025 · House Apr 16, 2025
How they voted
30–4
Passed
Total votes 34
Apr 21, 2025
D
Democratic6
66% Nay
R
Republican28
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
11
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 12, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 25, Nays 4 (Amendment 1 - HA0216)
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0216)
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 84, Nays 8, PNV 3
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 4, PNV 0
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/4/2025
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 2/19/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jack Johnson
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 207
Scope: TN
Hi! I can help you understand SB 207. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline