Bill > SB1490

This bill allows local historical boards, which are governmental or nonprofit entities responsible for preserving historic sites and structures and may receive assistance from the Tennessee Historical Commission, to lease land they own or manage for agricultural purposes. Specifically, these boards can contract with farmers to cultivate crops on historical sites of five or more contiguous acres, or to harvest hay and other naturally grown soil products on sites with fewer than five contiguous acres. All money earned from these agricultural leases must be used by the boards to preserve the historic sites and structures they oversee, following state and federal guidelines. Furthermore, local historical boards are required to submit an annual report to the Tennessee Historical Commission detailing these contracts and how the proceeds were spent, and the Tennessee Historical Commission will provide standardized contract templates for these agreements.