SB 207 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Agriculture, Dept. of - As enacted, establishes a fund for the development and implementation of programs that benefit Tennesseans by preserving farmland and forestland, including a grant program for conservation easements. - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 1, Part 1.

SB 207 creates a new "farmland preservation fund" within Tennessee's state budget to support the long-term protection of agricultural and forested land. The fund provides grants to help farmers and foresters place permanent conservation easements on their property - legal agreements that prevent development while allowing farming or forestry activities. These grants can be awarded directly to landowners or to qualified nonprofit organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups) that hold the easements, with requirements including proof of the easement agreement and ongoing agricultural use. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will manage the fund, and unspent money will carry forward annually instead of reverting to the general budget.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed May 12, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 21, 2025 · House Apr 16, 2025

How they voted

304
Passed
Total votes 34
Apr 21, 2025
D Democratic6
2 Yea 4 Nay
66% Nay
R Republican28
28 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
11
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 12, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 25, Nays 4 (Amendment 1 - HA0216)
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0216)
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 84, Nays 8, PNV 3
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 4, PNV 0
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/4/2025
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 2/19/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson
RRepublican
TN
27