Bill > HB1072

This bill seeks to prevent Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation from classifying certain agricultural lands as wetlands, specifically targeting "prior converted cropland" that is already exempt from wetland designation under federal regulations. Prior converted cropland refers to agricultural land that was transformed from a wetland to farmland before certain federal regulations were established, and which has been used for agricultural purposes continuously since that time. The bill would legally prohibit state agencies from applying state-level wetland classification criteria that would designate such lands as wetlands, even if they might technically meet some wetland characteristics. By doing so, the legislation aims to protect agricultural landowners from potential additional regulatory restrictions on land use, ensuring that farmlands that have been historically cultivated remain classified for agricultural purposes. The bill would take effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting the state legislature's intent to provide clarity and protection for agricultural land use.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1072&ga=114