Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee House Bill HB1325 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1
2	2	SENATE BILL 207
3	3	By Johnson
4	4
5	5	HOUSE BILL 1325
6	6	By Lamberth
7	7
8	8
9	9	HB1325
10	10	000920
11	11	- 1 -
12	12
13	13	AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43,
14	14	Chapter 1, Part 1, relative to the farmland
15	15	preservation fund.
16	16
17	17	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
18	18	SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43, Chapter 1, Part 1, is amended by
19	19	adding the following as a new section:
20	20	43-1-1__. Farmland preservation fund.
21	21	(a) It is the intent of the general assembly to preserve farmland and forestland in
22	22	Tennessee without limiting the ability of farmers and foresters to use their property for
23	23	their agricultural pursuits. The general assembly intends to secure the economic,
24	24	environmental, and societal benefits of farmland and forestland for future generations.
25	25	Further, the general assembly finds Tennessee history and culture to be positively
26	26	impacted by agricultural endeavors and believes preserving farmland and forestland will
27	27	provide food security for generations to come.
28	28	(b) Subject to annual appropriations, there is established a fund for the
29	29	development and implementation of programs that benefit Tennesseans by preserving
30	30	farmland and forestland, including a grant program for conservation easements.
31	31	(1) There is established within the general fund a special agency account
32	32	to be known as the farmland preservation fund for funds allocated to the
33	33	department of agriculture for purposes of this section.
34	34	(2) Any unencumbered moneys and unexpended balance of the fund
35	35	remaining at the end of a fiscal year does not revert to the general fund but must
36	36	be carried forward and maintained until expended in accordance with this
37	37
38	38
39	39	- 2 - 000920
40	40
41	41	section. The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund for the fund's benefit
42	42	pursuant to § 9-4-603. Interest accruing on investments and deposits of the fund
43	43	must be returned to the fund and remain a part of the fund. The fund must only
44	44	consist of moneys appropriated from the general fund or interest accruing on
45	45	investments and deposits in the fund.
46	46	(3) The commissioner of agriculture shall administer the fund.
47	47	(c)
48	48	(1) As used in this subsection (c), "qualified easement holder" means a
49	49	501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income taxation
50	50	under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3))
51	51	and that acquires or proposes to acquire a conservation easement on farmland
52	52	or forestland in the state, whether through purchase, donation, or other transfer.
53	53	(2) Subject to the following, the department of agriculture shall develop a
54	54	grant program within the farmland preservation fund for farmland and forestland
55	55	owners to enroll their land in a permanent conservation easement held by a
56	56	qualified easement holder:
57	57	(A) The department of agriculture may award a grant to a
58	58	qualified easement holder or directly to the farmer or forester;
59	59	(B) A grant application must include, at a minimum, the following:
60	60	(i) Proof satisfactory to the department of agriculture that
61	61	the farmer or forester has entered into, or has contracted to enter
62	62	into, a conservation easement with a qualified easement holder;
63	63	and
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65	65
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67	67
68	68	(ii) Proof satisfactory to the department of agriculture that
69	69	the farmland or forestland covered by the conservation easement
70	70	will be used for farm or forestry purposes; and
71	71	(C) A qualified easement holder shall not sell, transfer, release, or
72	72	otherwise divest a conservation easement acquired by participating in the
73	73	grant program.
74	74	(d) Governmental entities are not eligible to participate in a grant
75	75	program created pursuant to this section.
76	76	(e) The commissioner of agriculture is authorized to promulgate rules to
77	77	effectuate this section, including the establishment of eligibility criteria. The rules
78	78	must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures
79	79	Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
80	80	SECTION 2. The heading in this act is for reference purposes only and does not
81	81	constitute a part of the law enacted by this act. However, the Tennessee Code Commission is
82	82	requested to include the headings in any compilation or publication containing this act.
83	83	SECTION 3. For purposes of promulgating rules, this act takes effect upon becoming a
84	84	law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, this act takes effect on July 1, 2025,
85	85	the public welfare requiring it.