February 16, 2023 | In This Alert:

  • Action Alert: HJR81 in Committee NEXT week
  • Farm Bureau Supports Rural Brownfields Investment Act
  • Legislation Update: State Labeling of Food Products Containing Vaccines
  • TN Department of Agriculture & TWRA Budget Hearings
  • 2023 Tennessee Farm Bureau Priority Issues
  • Farm Bureau on the Hill Episode Three

Action Alert: HJR81 in Committee NEXT week

The first of Farm Bureau's priority issues begins its journey in the House Finance, Ways and Means (FWM) Subcommittee next Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30AM. We encourage our members to reach out to their lawmaker if they serve on the House FWM Subcommittee and urge them to support HJR81 by Representative Tandy Darby (R - Greenfield). 

This legislation would begin the multi-year effort for a constitutional amendment to prohibit a statewide property tax. Tennessee's financial stability is the envy of the nation - and we hope to never find our state in a position where financial burden would be further placed on property owners. 

See the members of the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee 

Farm Bureau Supports Rural Brownfields Investment Act

SB271 | HB319 would establish a state-administered brownfield grant program (BRAG Program) to direct funding for investigation, assessment and remediation to local governments, economic development agencies, development districts or boards, county land banks and nonprofit organizations. The goal is to incentivize brownfield cleanup in smaller, rural communities and expand the Brownfield Franchise and Excise Tax Credit to cover both purchase AND remediation costs. 

Previously, this program only applied to urban areas. However, this legislation would allow for Tier 3 and Tier 4 enhancement counties (as acknowledged by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and includes portions of West Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau, among other rural parts of Tennessee) to also receive these grants. 

“Our mission is to develop, foster, promote and protect Tennessee agriculture. As farmland loss continues to be a growing statewide concern, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation is honored to support the Rural Brownfields Investment Act (SB271/HB319),” said TFBF President Eric Mayberry. “By restoring use and value to brownfields, this investment boosts economic development in our rural communities. We trust this will be a step in reducing farmland conversion pressures and ensuring agriculture, and the land farmers care for, will continue to be Tennessee’s leading industry as the state continues to grow.”

Legislation Update: State Labeling of Food Products Containing Vaccines

This week, Representative Scott Cepicky (R - Culleoka) brought legislation to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee which would implement a state labeling requirement for any food which contains a human vaccine or vaccine materials. We appreciate Representative Cepicky for bringing attention to this topic to the General Assembly. There is research being conducted on the matter at higher education institutions. After explaining the issue, Representative Cepicky took the bill "off-notice" meaning the bill would not be voted on. Farm Bureau has promised to learn more about the issue and continue the conversation in our policy development process, while simultaneously seeking clarification on the issue from the federal government. 

Tennessee Farm Bureau's policy states:
"Food labeling should remain a function of the federal government. We oppose separate state level labeling requirements of food sold through interstate commerce."

TN Department of Agriculture & TWRA Budget Hearings

The House Finance, Ways and Means Committee heard from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Tennessee's Wildlife Resources Agency on Tuesday on their budget priorities for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Here are some highlights of each:

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Total Department Budget Request: $188.4M

Commissioner Hatcher highlighted the Department of Agriculture's record rural investment over the 2022-2023 fiscal year, including commodity, land and water stewardship, agricultural enterprise and agriculture enhancement programs.

Their requests for increased funding include sixteen emergency preparedness and response staff, nine agriculture inspector positions, two forest inventory analysis positions, one addition to the TN Ag Enhancement program, as well as three operations and support staff.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Total Agency Budget Request: $147.6M

Director Jason Maxedon's sat before the House Finance Committee for the first time since stepping into the role of Executive Director in June of 2022.  He discussed the three major programs conducted through their Agency - Hunting and Fishing Licenses, Boating Safety Programs, and Wetlands Acquisition Fund. 

For More Information

To view more information on budget hearings, as well as other committee meetings, visit the General Assembly website and check out the new House Dashboard!

Farm Bureau and several of Tennessee's livestock commodity organizations submitted a letter to the House and Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committees as well as members of the House and Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees regarding our support for Governor Lee's proposed investment to the Department of Agriculture's Emergency Preparedness and Response. We understand how critical these 16 full-time positions can be to mitigating disease and navigating testing and treatment. See the attached letter for more information. 

2023 Tennessee Farm Bureau Priority Issues:

State Property Tax Prohibition Constitutional Amendment

HJR81 by Darby
SJR 158 by Niceley

Begins the multi-year effort to constitutionally prohibit the State of Tennessee from levying a statewide property tax.

Tennessee previously collected a statewide property tax until 1949 when it was repealed. While there is currently no discussion to implement a statewide property tax, this should not be an option.

Clarifying Greenbelt Provisions for Conservation Programs

HB 898 by Hurt
SB 711 by Stevens

Allows for eligibility for Greenbelt if the property is enrolled in a voluntary conservation program through USDA.

This legislation is in caption form and the language has not yet been finalized in drafting. We are working with the sponsors and stakeholders to finalize the language in order file an amendment prior to committee.

Local Government's Ability to Manage Growth

Farm Bureau supports local government's ability to adequately manage growth and keep property tax rates stable.

There are several different pieces of legislation which have been filed dealing with this topic. With a variety of different vehicles out there, we are working through the language and will provide updates as amendments are filed and legislation begins to move forward in committee.

Ag Business Development Programs

The Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program (TAEP) provides cost share dollars to farmers for the purpose of making long term investments in Tennessee farms and communities. Each TAEP dollar generates $6.55 in local economies.

The Agriculture Enterprise Fund (AEF) awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, forestry businesses which spur job creation and economic development. Each AEF dollar generates $17.55 in local economies.

Farm Bureau on the Hill Episode Three

Amy Beckham and Shelby Vannoy sit down to recap the week, hit the highlights of next week's calendar and talk about Governor Lee's Rural Brownfield Investment Act in this week's episode of Farm Bureau on the Hill. 

P.S. The podcast is now public! You can listen anytime on tnfarmbureau.org.

Public Policy Staff
Kevin Hensley, Director
Kristen Walker, Associate Director | Commodity and Industry Relations
Shelby Vannoy, Assistant Director
Roxann Sanders, Public Policy Associate

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