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HB0895 • 2026

Parks, Natural Areas Preservation

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Chapter 13 and Title 68, relative to scenic rivers.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Todd, Lowe
Last action
2025-02-20
Official status
Sponsor(s) Withdrawn.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on how removing these sections will affect existing protections or property rights.

Changes to Scenic River Regulations

This bill removes certain restrictions on scenic river protections in Tennessee and clarifies that existing property rights are not bypassed.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes specific sections of Tennessee's laws related to scenic rivers, particularly those concerning landfills near class II scenic rivers.
  • Adds a statement about the intent not to bypass existing property rights or legal rules when dealing with scenic rivers.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who own land near scenic rivers in Tennessee
  • Government agencies responsible for managing and protecting scenic rivers

Terms To Know

Scenic Rivers
Rivers that are protected by the state to preserve their natural beauty and recreational value.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how removing these sections will affect existing land use or environmental protections.
  • It's unclear what the exact impact on property rights and legal precedents will be after this change.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Withdrawn.

  2. 2025-02-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  3. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee

  4. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee

  5. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  6. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

  7. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  8. 2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  9. 2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 725
By Lowe

HOUSE BILL 895
By Todd

HB0895
000670
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11,
Chapter 13 and Title 68, relative to scenic rivers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 11-13-101(b), is amended by adding
the following language immediately preceding the last sentence in the subsection:
It is also not the intent of this chapter to circumvent a law, zoning ordinance, or binding
legal precedent related to property rights, expansion of boundaries, or land acquisitions.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 11-13-111(b), is amended by
deleting the subsection.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-211-118, is amended by deleting
the section.
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-212-120, is amended by deleting
the section.
SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-212-223, is amended by deleting
the section.
SECTION 6. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.