Tennessee Senate Bill SB0121

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6 and Title 67, Chapter 5, relative to property tax exemptions.

Impact

If enacted, SB0121 will specifically impact property tax laws, allowing for tax exemptions in counties with metropolitan government structures that meet certain population criteria. The law aims to encourage landowners to preserve tree canopies, thus potentially enhancing urban ecology and contributing positively to public health by improving air quality. However, these exemptions are limited to certain sizes of parcels and only for a specified duration, requiring that tree coverage must be maintained over time for continued eligibility.

Summary

Senate Bill 121 (SB0121) aims to amend the Tennessee Code concerning property tax exemptions by introducing a new section that allows property owners to seek exemptions for real estate that provides tree canopy coverage. The bill defines various assessment methods including Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for determining eligible tree canopy areas. This legislation emphasizes the importance of maintaining and promoting greenery within urban environments by providing tax relief linked to environmental contributions.

Conclusion

Overall, SB0121 reflects a growing trend towards integrating environmental considerations into state laws. By incentivizing property owners to maintain tree canopies, the bill is positioned to support broader environmental goals, albeit with potential challenges in execution that lawmakers may need to address as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Contention

There are potential points of contention regarding the implementation and practical administration of the proposed tax exemption. Critics may argue that the bill could complicate property tax assessments or lead to challenges regarding the definition and measurement of tree canopy coverage. Additionally, concerns may arise about the fairness of imposing fees for processing exemption applications and whether these fees could discourage participation from property owners who might otherwise contribute to urban greenery.