Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As enacted, revises the descriptions of existing state natural areas and designates new natural areas. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 1.
HB 126 revises Tennessee's state natural areas by updating acreage descriptions for existing protected lands and designating four new natural areas. It increases protected acreage for sites like Barnett's Woods (from 40 to 156 acres) and adds new areas including Clifty Creek Gorge (89 acres protecting the federally threatened Virginia spirea), Rocky Hill (1 acre safeguarding the endangered running glade clover), Union Grove (59 acres preserving the Tennessee trillium), and Versailles Knob (40 acres protecting Braun's Rockcress). The bill directly affects conservation efforts by expanding legal protections for specific endangered species and habitats across Morgan, Rutherford, and Hamblen counties. Enacted on April 11, 2025, it formalizes these land designations without introducing new funding or regulatory requirements.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Signed Apr 11, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2025 · House Mar 3, 2025
How they voted
35–0
Passed
Total votes 35
Mar 31, 2025
D
Democratic7
100% Yea
R
Republican28
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
25
Key actions
11
Committee
8
Apr 11, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 2/27/2025
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 2/25/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 2/19/2025
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
William Lamberth
RRepublican
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