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.
HB 670 would reduce the buffer zone for development near Class II and Class III scenic rivers in Tennessee from 450 feet to 400 feet from the river banks. This change would directly affect property owners and developers in these areas by narrowing the area where construction or other development is restricted. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Section 11-13-108(a)(2), to update the distance limit for scenic river protections. The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, but was withdrawn the following day.
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.
HB 950, if enacted, would create an Urban Green Space Development Fund to provide state grants for purchasing or protecting green spaces (like parks, community gardens, and natural areas) in urban areas defined by U.S. Census data. Local governments and private nonprofits could apply for grants to acquire land or permanent protections (such as conservation easements), requiring them to contribute matching funds from non-state sources. The bill also establishes a separate program to incentivize community-led projects that reduce air pollution. These grants would require recipients to grant perpetual easements restricting land use to green space purposes and undergo state audits.
HB 801 removes a specific energy efficiency requirement for low-sloped roofs in Tennessee. It amends state law to clarify that the International Energy Conservation Code's roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance rules no longer apply to such roofs starting July 1, 2025. This change directly affects builders, developers, and homeowners constructing or renovating low-sloped roofs across Tennessee. The bill achieves this by adding a new provision to Tennessee Code Title 68, Chapter 120, eliminating the requirement without creating new rules. The law became effective April 3, 2025, with the policy change taking effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 882 prevents Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation from regulating certain farming activities on small properties. Specifically, it exempts topsoil handling, rock removal, and pond construction on properties under three acres that have "greenbelt" classification under state law. This exemption applies only to land already designated as agricultural, forest, or open space under the 1976 Agricultural, Forest and Open Space Land Act. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, changing how farming operations are regulated on qualifying small farms.
HB 1112 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally inject, release, or disperse chemicals into Tennessee's atmosphere with the purpose of altering weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It also criminalizes supplying materials for such activities. The law directly affects individuals or entities conducting weather modification within Tennessee, imposing a $100,000 fine per violation in addition to misdemeanor penalties. Enforcement will be handled by state agencies and prosecutors investigating credible reports of violations. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing weather modification and criminal penalties, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 1139 clarifies monitoring requirements for facilities that install water softening systems. If such a system causes a facility to meet Tennessee's definition of a public water system under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the facility must test water hardness, alkalinity, and pH quarterly, and sodium annually. Results must be reported to the Department of Environment and Conservation within 15 days of each reporting period. The bill specifically excludes facilities that only install softeners from being classified as public water systems, but if they meet the definition due to the softener, they must comply with these testing rules.
HB 149 defines "solar energy facility" for regulatory purposes, excluding small residential systems under 5MW and equipment used in homes. It updates Tennessee code sections to replace "wind energy" with "utility" and adds specific rules for solar arrays, including setback requirements from property lines. Local governments can adopt their own solar siting regulations by July 1, 2025, and facilities built before that date are exempt from the new rules. The bill directly affects solar developers, local zoning authorities, and communities near proposed solar projects.
SB 574 reduces the tax on beer from $4.29 to $2.00 per barrel and modifies how revenue from soft drink taxes (currently 0.9% of gross receipts) is allocated. It directs 50% of soft drink tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs and 40% to recycling grants for materials like aluminum and plastic. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and sets a sunset provision: both taxes will end by July 1, 2028, or upon enactment of mandatory beverage container deposit laws, whichever comes first. This bill directly affects beer and soft drink manufacturers, distributors, and state agencies managing litter and recycling programs.
