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TennesseeSB 0207114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43, Chapter 1, Part 1, relative to the farmland preservation fund.

Sponsored By: Jack Johnson (Republican)

Became Law

Agriculture, Dept. of

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New fund and grants for farms

Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee creates a Farmland Preservation Fund. The Agriculture Department must run a grant program to help owners place land in permanent conservation easements. Grants can go to the easement holder or directly to the farmer or forest landowner. State and local governments cannot get these grants. The Agriculture Commissioner can set program and eligibility rules under Tennessee’s rulemaking law.

Owner protections in farm easements

Beginning July 1, 2025, grant-funded conservation easements must protect owners. The holder cannot sell or release the easement without the owner’s consent. Any new holder stays bound by the same terms. Changes need both owner and holder consent and must be recorded. The holder may enter only with the owner’s consent and reasonable notice, at reasonable times. Easements must allow farm and forestry buildings and cannot restrict farming or forestry. The Tennessee Conservation Easement Act of 1981 also applies to these easements unless this law says otherwise.

Nonprofits that can hold easements

Beginning July 1, 2025, a qualified easement holder must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It must acquire or plan to acquire a conservation easement on Tennessee farmland or forestland. It must also meet any other rules the Agriculture Commissioner sets.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Paul Bailey

    Republican • Senate

  • Todd Gardenhire

    Republican • Senate

  • Ferrell Haile

    Republican • Senate

  • Becky Duncan Massey

    Republican • Senate

  • Shane Reeves

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

  • Jessie Seal

    Republican • Senate

  • John Stevens

    Republican • Senate

  • Page Walley

    Republican • Senate

  • Ken Yager

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 151 • No: 20

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/21/2025

Yes: 25 • No: 4

House vote • 4/16/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/16/2025

Yes: 84 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/13/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/13/2025

Yes: 27 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2025

SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Yes: 5 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 470

    5/15/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/12/2025, 07/01/2025

    5/15/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/12/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/23/2025Senate

  8. Concurred, Ayes 25, Nays 4 (Amendment 1 - HA0216)

    4/21/2025Senate

  9. Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/21/2025

    4/17/2025Senate

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/16/2025House

  11. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0216)

    4/16/2025House

  12. Passed H., as am., Ayes 84, Nays 8, PNV 3

    4/16/2025House

  13. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    3/17/2025House

  14. Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 4, PNV 0

    3/13/2025Senate

  15. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/13/2025Senate

  16. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/13/2025Senate

  17. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/11/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/13/2025

    3/11/2025Senate

  19. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    3/4/2025Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/4/2025

    2/25/2025Senate

  21. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/20/2025Senate

  22. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    2/19/2025Senate

  23. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/12/2025Senate

  24. Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 2/19/2025

    2/12/2025Senate

  25. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee

    2/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • HA0216 (Substitute)

    4/16/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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