SB 1352 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to create a public website tool by January 2026 that shows facilities reporting toxic releases under federal law. The tool will let residents search by address to see nearby facilities within five miles and get alerts about new construction projects that may require reporting. It must update within 10 business days when new data arrives from the EPA's toxic release inventory. This helps Tennessee residents easily access location-specific information about industrial sites that report pollution data.
SB 1101 allows Tennessee counties to create a property tax exemption for portions of real property covered by tree canopy, as defined by specific measurement methods (including aerial imagery or field surveys). Property owners in participating counties can apply for this exemption, which applies only to the canopy-covered area (not the entire property), with the exemption value determined by county agencies. The exemption requires annual renewal, is not transferable, and property owners must report changes affecting canopy coverage to maintain the tax break.
SB 885 amends Tennessee's tax code to allow nuclear energy production facilities to qualify for pollution control tax credits, expanding eligibility beyond existing wind and solar sources. This change directly affects nuclear energy facilities in Tennessee by enabling them to claim tax credits for certain machinery and equipment used in pollution control. The bill modifies Section 67-4-2004(9)(A) of the Tennessee Code to explicitly include nuclear energy production facilities in the list of eligible energy sources. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025, and is part of a broader tax incentive framework for clean energy projects.
HB 1133 amends Tennessee's tax code to allow nuclear energy production facilities to claim pollution control tax credits for specific machinery and equipment, expanding an existing program previously limited to wind energy. This change directly affects nuclear power plants in Tennessee by providing them with a new financial incentive to invest in pollution control technology. The bill modifies Section 67-4-2004(9)(A) of the Tennessee Code to explicitly include nuclear facilities alongside wind energy sources. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 438 creates an advisory task force to examine solid waste management issues in Tennessee and authorizes the Department of Environment and Conservation to accept voluntary contributions and apply for private grants for recycling infrastructure, recycling projects, and composting initiatives. The bill requires the department to publish a report on its website regarding these efforts. It amends multiple sections of Tennessee law related to waste management, including provisions for grant funding and reporting. The bill became effective on May 9, 2025.
HB 667 creates a state advisory task force to examine solid waste management issues and authorizes Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to accept private company donations and apply for grants for recycling infrastructure, projects, and composting. The bill requires the department to publish its findings online and amends multiple environmental codes to support these provisions. It directly affects the state department, private waste management companies, and communities managing recycling efforts. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after becoming Public Chapter 429.
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.
HB 541, now law as Public Chapter 437, requires Tennessee's environmental agency to align state wetland regulations with federal standards. It prohibits the state from classifying or regulating property as a wetland unless it is federally classified as such, directly affecting property owners and developers seeking permits. The bill also mandates annual reports to state leaders on compensatory mitigation (replacing damaged wetlands) for permits issued the previous year. Additionally, it establishes four new categories for regulating isolated wetlands, though specific definitions aren't detailed in the provided text. The law aims to reduce regulatory overlap between state and federal wetland rules.
SB 670 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to annually report on compensatory mitigation for aquatic permits to state officials, and establishes four regulatory categories for isolated wetlands. It also adds a new rule preventing the state from classifying property as a wetland unless it meets federal standards. The bill directly affects developers seeking permits for wetland alterations and state agencies managing environmental regulations. Key changes include mandatory reporting to the governor and legislature, and aligning state wetland rules with federal classifications, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 1325 establishes Tennessee's Farmland Preservation Fund to support conservation easements on farmland and forestland. The bill creates a dedicated fund within the state general fund (administered by the Department of Agriculture) that provides grants for landowners to place permanent conservation easements on their property, held by qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Key provisions require land to remain in agricultural or forestry use, prohibit selling or transferring easements acquired through the grant, and mandate unspent funds carry forward annually. This directly affects Tennessee landowners seeking to preserve their property through conservation agreements and qualified nonprofit easement holders. The policy change formalizes a grant program to secure long-term land preservation without restricting farming or forestry activities.
