Environment

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 1277: Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As enacted, revises the descriptions of existing state natural areas and designates new natural areas. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 1.

SB 1277 revises Tennessee’s state natural areas program by adjusting acreage measurements for existing protected lands and designating four new natural areas for conservation. The bill specifically adds Clifty Creek Gorge (89 acres in Morgan County, protecting the Virginia spirea), Rocky Hill (1 acre in Rutherford County, safeguarding endangered plants), Union Grove (59 acres in Hamblen County, preserving the Tennessee trillium), and Versailles Knob (40 acres in Rutherford County, protecting Braun’s Rockcress). It also updates acreage figures for multiple existing sites, such as expanding Barnett’s Woods to 156 acres and Emory River to 2,754 acres. These changes directly affect the state’s conservation efforts by formally protecting specific ecosystems and endangered species under Tennessee’s natural areas framework.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates four new natural areas to protect endangered species (Virginia spirea, Tennessee trillium) and habitats, directly advancing conservation efforts per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife

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died · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 1325: 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.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated state fund within general fund for farmland conservation grants, increasing budget allocation for agricultural preservation programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Tennessee's Farmland Preservation Fund for conservation easements to protect farmland/forestland, directly conserving natural resources through dedicated grants and permanent land preservation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Conservation Forestry

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HJR 171: General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Michael Bittel, Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees -

HJR 171 is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Michael Bittel of Knoxville to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees. The resolution formally approves Bittel's service on the board for a term ending October 31, 2027, as required by Tennessee law (TCA § 11-7-104(b)(2)). This appointment directly affects the board's composition and the oversight of Tennessee's heritage conservation trust fund, which manages land conservation funding. The resolution was unanimously passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor on March 12, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentConfirms appointment to board overseeing land conservation trust fund, ensuring continued management of conservation funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

signed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 51: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the air pollution control board to June 30, 2031. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 68, Chapter 201, Part 1.

SB 51 extends the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board's existence until June 30, 2031, by amending two sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 68, Chapter 201, Part 1). It removes an outdated reference to an automatic expiration and clarifies the board's legal foundation under existing statutes. This change ensures the board can continue regulating air pollution without requiring new legislation before 2031. The bill directly affects the board and the state's environmental oversight process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends air pollution control board's authority until 2031, ensuring continued regulation without legislative gaps in environmental oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 586: Taxes, Privilege - As introduced, increases from 2.4 to 5 percent, the amount of realty transfer tax and mortgage tax collections retained as commission by county registers for collecting and reporting those taxes; requires 50 percent of such collections to be deposited in the county general fund; allocates the remaining balance to the wetland acquisition fund, local parks land acquisition fund, state lands acquisition fund, agricultural resources conservation fund, and state general fund. - Amends TCA Section 67-4-409.

HB 586 modifies how counties handle revenue from property transfer taxes. It increases the commission counties retain for collecting these taxes from 2.4% to 5%, requires 50% of the total collections to go directly to the county general fund, and allocates the remaining funds to specific state programs including wetland acquisition, local parks land, state lands, agricultural conservation, and the state general fund. The bill directly affects county registers (who collect the taxes) and the designated state/local funds. It changes the distribution of existing tax revenue without altering the tax rate itself.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases county tax collection retention, mandates 50% to county general fund, allocates remaining to state programs including conservation and parks. Directly funds government budgets and programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates funds to wetland acquisition, agricultural conservation, and state lands programs, directly funding environmental protection initiatives per bill's specific fund allocations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Conservation

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1274: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As enacted, makes various changes related to fees set by the department for environmental regulatory programs; makes changes to the regulation of coal combustion residuals disposal units. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 203, Part 1 and Title 68, Chapter 211, Part 1.

SB 1274 updates Tennessee's environmental fee structure and regulates coal combustion residuals (like ash from power plants). It increases fees for regular landfill permits ($10,000) and annual maintenance ($15,000), while excluding coal ash disposal units from these charges. The bill requires new liners and caps for coal ash disposal facilities (except for specific uses like agricultural or engineering applications) and allows the Department of Environment and Conservation to recover regulatory costs for coal ash units through capped fees. These changes directly affect power plants, waste management facilities handling coal ash, and environmental regulatory programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires new liners/caps for coal ash disposal (excluding limited uses), strengthening regulatory standards for hazardous waste management under environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Waste Management

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 667: Solid Waste Disposal - As enacted, creates the advisory task force on solid waste to examine and review issues related to solid waste; authorizes the department of environment and conservation to accept voluntary contributions, and to apply for grants, from private companies for grants for recycling infrastructure, recycling projects, and composting. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 11; Title 13; Title 20; Title 28; Title 39; Title 49; Title 54; Title 55; Title 59; Title 62; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates task force and funds recycling/composting infrastructure, reducing landfill waste and promoting environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1206: Environmental Preservation - As introduced, creates a grant program to facilitate green spaces in urban areas; authorizes the technical secretary of the air pollution control board to establish a program to encourage community-led programs that reduce air pollution. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 5; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Title 43, Chapter 24 and Title 68, Chapter 201.

SB 1206 creates a state grant program called the Urban Green Space Development Fund to help local governments and nonprofits purchase or protect green spaces (like parks and community gardens) in urban areas. The fund provides grants for land acquisition and protective agreements, requiring nonprofits to contribute matching non-state funds. It also authorizes a separate program to support community-led projects that reduce air pollution. The bill establishes clear rules for grant eligibility, matching requirements, and perpetual land use restrictions to ensure projects serve public recreational and environmental needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates grant program for urban green spaces and community air pollution reduction, explicitly titled 'Environmental Preservation' with funding mechanisms to protect natural resources and reduce pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 402: Taxes, Exemption and Credits - As introduced, creates tax exemption for portions of property that provide tree canopy cover in counties whose local governing bodies elect to create the exemption. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6 and Title 67, Chapter 5.

HB 402 would allow property owners in Tennessee counties that choose to adopt the program to apply for a property tax exemption on portions of their land covered by tree canopy. The exemption applies only to the canopy-covered area (measured via study, aerial imagery, or field survey), not the entire property, and requires county approval to implement. County agencies would determine eligibility, process applications, and set exemption values, with the exemption lasting up to seven years. This bill does not change current tax rates but offers a limited, targeted reduction for properties meeting specific tree canopy criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax exemption for tree canopy areas, providing targeted tax relief to qualifying property owners, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax exemption for tree canopy coverage incentivizes urban forestry and carbon sequestration, directly supporting environmental conservation and pollution control through natural infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1246: Energy - As introduced, enacts the "Clean Energy and Jobs Act"; creates the Clean Energy Workforce Training Grant Fund; establishes a tax credit for certain systems, methods, improvements, structures, devices, or appliances used by renewable energy businesses, and small businesses to implement or improve the business's sustainable practices. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 5 and Title 67.

SB 1246, the "Clean Energy and Jobs Act," creates two key programs to support clean energy growth in Tennessee. It establishes the Clean Energy Workforce Training Fund to provide grants for job training in clean energy fields (like solar or wind), administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The bill also creates a 30% tax credit for renewable energy businesses (e.g., solar installers) and small businesses (50 or fewer employees) to offset sales/use tax paid on qualifying systems, devices, or sustainable practices - such as eco-friendly materials or recycling equipment. These provisions directly affect renewable energy companies and small businesses seeking to adopt greener operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 30% tax credit for renewable energy/small businesses and funds clean energy workforce training, providing tax relief and new budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Clean Energy Workforce Training Fund and 30% tax credit for renewable energy businesses, directly advancing clean energy adoption and job creation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Clean Energy Workforce Training Fund and 30% tax credit for renewable energy businesses to promote clean energy adoption and sustainable practices95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates Clean Energy Workforce Training Fund for job training in renewable energy fields, directly funding employment development in emerging sectors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Renewable Energy Solar Conservation Recycling Workforce Development

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