Environment (Parks & Recreation)

HB 895 removes a requirement that new or expanded landfill sites must be located at least two miles away from designated Class II scenic rivers in Tennessee. This bill directly affects landfill developers and communities near these protected waterways by eliminating a buffer zone designed to limit development close to sensitive river environments. The bill achieves this by deleting specific provisions in Tennessee Code (Sections 68-211-118, 68-212-120, and 68-212-223) that previously enforced the two-mile restriction. The change would allow landfills to be built closer to scenic rivers without needing to comply with this distance rule. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been voted on.

HB 125 modifies Tennessee's local parks land acquisition grant program by reducing the required local match for projects in Appalachian Regional Commission-designated distressed or at-risk counties. Specifically, it changes the rule from requiring a 100% local match (equal to the grant amount) to a 25% local contribution for these counties. This applies to county or municipal governments receiving grants under TCA Section 67-4-409 for projects located in designated areas. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, easing financial burdens for local governments in economically challenged regions seeking park land acquisitions.

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.