Housing

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.

SB 26 amends Tennessee law to raise the minimum required capital cost for infrastructure development districts from $500,000 to $1,000,000. This change directly affects developers and local governments creating such districts by requiring larger initial investment commitments. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 7-84-711(a) to reflect this increased threshold. It became effective May 5, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

HB 863 requires Tennessee municipalities and counties to post new ordinances and resolutions on a website within one month of adoption. Local governments may choose to post on their own website or the secretary of state's website. The law, effective May 2, 2025, applies to all new ordinances and resolutions adopted after that date.

SB 480 (the "Tennessee Property Rights Protection Act") revises Tennessee housing law to protect non-blighted properties from eminent domain. It deletes the broad definition of "blighted areas" and replaces it with a property-by-property standard for "blighted property," ensuring only properties meeting specific safety/code violations (and not fixed within a reasonable time) can be targeted. Housing authorities can now acquire property without eminent domain through negotiated sales and pay above fair market value for non-blighted properties located in areas designated as blighted. These changes aim to prevent well-maintained properties from being taken while preserving housing authorities' ability to redevelop truly blighted properties. The law took effect on April 3, 2025.

SB 244 would change Tennessee's housing law to require that affordable housing units built under the state's voluntary attainable housing program remain restricted for at least 30 years, rather than indefinitely. This applies specifically to multi-family housing developments constructed through this incentive program. The bill amends existing law by replacing the phrase "in perpetuity" with "for at least thirty (30) years" in the deed restriction requirement. This adjustment shortens the mandatory affordability period while maintaining a significant commitment to long-term accessible housing.