HB1289 • 2026

Recreational Areas

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Section 28-3-117; Title 39 and Title 70, Chapter 5, relative to public recreation areas.

Active

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

Sponsor: Powell, Yarbro
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify that the bill requires the executive director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to submit the report, only that it changes the deadline.

Changing Report Deadline for Reelfoot Lake

This bill changes the deadline for submitting an annual report about Reelfoot Lake from January 8 to January 31.

What This Bill Does

Changes the date by which a yearly report on Reelfoot Lake must be submitted.
Moves the submission deadline from January 8 to January 31.

Who It Names or Affects

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Terms To Know

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: A state agency that manages wildlife and natural areas in Tennessee.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not provide details about the content of the report.
It is unclear how this change will affect the work of the agency or the public.
There are no specific penalties for missing the new deadline.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HA0775

Amendment 1-0 to HB1289

Plain English: The amendment adds new requirements for Tennessee to develop and implement a uniform safety plan in parks to enhance security and encourage greater use.

Adds a new section (11-24-114) to Title 11 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, requiring the development of a uniform safety plan for parks by state and local entities.
Specifies that the safety plan must include various strategies such as locating activities near park entrances, ensuring human presence during daytime hours, enhancing lighting, creating clear sightlines, fostering citizen involvement, and enforcing rules to prevent inappropriate activities.

The amendment does not specify how funding for implementing these safety measures will be provided.
It is unclear what specific actions local governmental entities must take beyond developing the plan.

SA0700

Amendment 1-0 to SB1247

Plain English: The amendment adds new requirements for Tennessee to develop and implement a uniform safety plan in parks to enhance security and encourage greater use.

Requires the Department of Environment and Conservation, along with other relevant departments and local entities, to create a uniform safety plan for parks.
Specifies factors that must be considered when developing this safety plan, such as locating activities near park entrances, ensuring human presence during peak hours, and enhancing lighting and signage.
Sets deadlines for submitting the completed safety plan to various government bodies.

The exact implementation details of the safety plan are not fully specified in the amendment text.

Bill History

2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed behind the budget
2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026
2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 3/24/2026
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Action Def. in s/c Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
2026-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Action deferred in Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee to 3/11/2026
2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
2025-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
2025-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SENATE BILL 1247
By Yarbro

HOUSE BILL 1289
By Powell

HB1289
002341
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Section 28-3-117;
Title 39 and Title 70, Chapter 5, relative to public
recreation areas.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 11-14-116(h), is amended by
deleting "January 8" and substituting "January 31".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.