SB 281 - HB 882
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
March 8, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Rebecca Chandler | Email: rebecca.chandler@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
SB 281 - HB 882
SUMMARY OF BILL: Prohibits the Department of Environment and Conservation
(TDEC) from regulating or overseeing activities on a farm involving topsoil, rock removal, or the
building of a pond when such activities are conducted in an area that is less than three acres in size
and the property on which the activities occur has a greenbelt classification pursuant to
the Agricultural Forest and Open Spaced Lance Act of 1976.
FISCAL IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT
REVENUE Environmental Protection Fund
FY25-26 & Subsequent Years ($8,900)
Assumptions:
• The number of greenbelt properties the proposed legislation will impact is unknown.
• It is assumed that most farms where these activities occur and currently require a permit are
already registered and classified as greenbelt properties.
• Based on information provided by TDEC, this legislation will reduce permit requirements,
leading to fewer issuances of General Construction Permits (GCP) and Aquatic Resource
Alteration Permits (ARAP) by the Division of Water Resources (DWR), as well as TN
multi-sector permits by the Division of Mining and Geological Resources (DMGR).
• Over the past five years, the DWR has issued the following number of permits:
• The revenue collected from these permits over the past five years totals $16,300, averaging
$3,260 per year ($16,300 / 5 years) from DWR permit issuances.
• The DMGR annually issues the following number of permits for areas less than three acres
in size:
Permit Type Permits Issued Permit Cost Total
GCP - Topsoil Removal 22 $250 $5,500
GCP - Pond Construction 40 $250 $10,000
ARAP 16 $50 $800
Total: $16,300
SB 281 - HB 882 2
• The annual revenue collected from such permit issuances total $5,620.
• This legislation will result such permittees no longer needing a permit; therefore, there will
be a decrease in state revenue.
• There will be a recurring decrease in state revenue to the Environmental Protection Fund
in FY25-26 and subsequent years of $8,880 ($3,260 DWR permits + $5,620 DMGR
permits).
• Any impact on state expenditures is estimated to be not significant.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director
Permit/Fee Type Permits Issued Permit Cost Total
National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System
3 $690 $2,070
Multi-Sector Storm Water
Permit
8 $350 $2,800
Plan Review 3 $250 $750
Total: $5,620