Tennessee 28th District Update
February 23, 2023
Conserving Tennessee’s
natural resources
The Senate is in full swing. Lawmakers are passing legislation on the Senate floor and advancing many bills through committees to ensure Tennessee remains a great place to live, work and raise a family. This week, Senate committees completed their first of five weeks of budget hearings and heard budget proposals from 18 different state departments and agencies.
One of Gov. Lee’s legislative priorities to conserve Tennessee’s natural resources and environment passed its first committee this week. The bill would establish a grant fund and tax incentives to clean up contaminated brownfield properties across rural Tennessee.
This week was also highlighted by legislation to increase school choice through charter schools and expanding eligibility for the Education Savings Account (ESA) pilot program.
Legislation to protect vulnerable citizens is also advancing in the Senate. The Senate approved legislation to protect children from harmful and irreversible medical procedures to change their gender identity. Other legislation is moving through committees to crack down on child predators and engage businesses in human trafficking training and awareness.
Committees approved legislation to remove barriers for top-tier professionals to work, live and do business in Tennessee. These moves are aimed at expanding access to mental healthcare providers and strengthening public safety by making it easier to hire experienced law enforcement officers and license psychologists from another state. Another measure would increase access to behavioral health services through telehealth appointments.
Proposal to establish grants and tax incentives for brownfield site cleanup clears Senate committee
The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee advanced legislation to fast-track remediation and redevelopment of brownfield properties across rural Tennessee. The initiative, which is part of Gov. Bill Lee’s legislative priorities this year, would provide technical and financial resources directly to local communities while bolstering incentives for developers and communities. Brownfield sites are properties that are unusable due to the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. Many of these sites have the potential to be repurposed, but often require major initial investments to clean up the properties.
A bill to create the Tennessee Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant (BRAG) program to provide $5 million in annual grants to communities to investigate and clean up brownfield properties and return the sites to marketable use. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has identified at least 175 known brownfield sites in 36 different counties across Tennessee.
Additionally, the legislation would amend the Brownfield Franchise and Excise Tax Credit law to provide rural and smaller communities a targeted incentive to clean up properties. It would also grant communities more flexibility when the credit amount can be claimed.
Finally, the measure expands eligibility for the Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) law by removing urban and low-income geographic requirements and increasing qualifying project costs to ensure all Tennessee communities have the opportunity for more economic growth.
Senate honors the lives of
Tennessee National Guardsmen who died in helicopter crash
On Wednesday afternoon, a Tennessee National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter crashed while conducting a training flight in Huntsville, AL. The two guardsmen on board were tragically killed. Thursday morning, the Senate recognized the service and sacrifice of the two guardsmen and prayed for their families. According to witnesses, the guardsmen skillfully maneuvered the helicopter away from a residential neighborhood and ensured no civilians were injured in the crash.
Contact Senator Hensley at
425 5th Avenue North, Suite 746
Nashville TN 37243
615-741-3100
Toll Free 1-800-449-8366
ext. 13100
Fax 615-253-0231
855 Summertown Highway
Hohenwald TN 38462
Phone 931-796-2018
Cell Phone 931-212-8823
E-mail:
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