Legislative Update: Law protecting Duck River goes into effect
The 113th General Assembly has adjourned for 2023, and it was a very successful year. We have taken measures for Tennessee to be a better place to live, work and to raise a family. I will go over some of the laws passed this session.
Adding “In God We Trust” to the state seal - The General Assembly approved a measure to add “In God We Trust” to the Tennessee state seal. The new law asks the governor, who is the keeper of the seal, to direct the Secretary of State to redesign the state seal. Once completed, the Senate and House chambers would then have to pass a resolution approving the new design which would include Tennessee’s state motto of “Commerce and Agriculture” as well as the nation’s motto of “In God We Trust.”
In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law “In God We Trust” as the nation’s official motto and mandated that it be printed on all American currency, denoting America’s economic and political prosperity is in God’s hands.
Reflecting Tennessee’s Volunteer Spirit in state motto – The General Assembly passed legislation that adds “Send Me” to the State’s official motto of “Agriculture and Commerce” which has been on the seal of Tennessee since 1801. Adding the phrase reflects the well-known volunteer spirit of Tennesseans.
Establishing Juneteenth as a State Holiday - The General Assembly approved a law that establishes June 19 as a paid state holiday to commemorate the emancipation of all enslaved African Americans. On June 19, 1865 - known as “Juneteenth” - the news that the Civil War was over and all slaves were free finally reached Galveston, TX. This was two and a half years after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and over two months after the end of the Civil War. Since Texas was isolated geographically and strategically, it was the last territory to receive the news.
New State Symbols – The General Assembly passed a law designating “The Tennessee in Me” by Debbie Mathis Watts as an official state song.
Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant (BRAG) Program - To help cleanup former industrialized sites throughout the state, known as brownfields, lawmakers approved one of Governor Lee’s initiatives to fast-track the redevelopment of these sites. Brownfields are generally abandoned or underutilized properties like industrial facilities. Their use or development can be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant and can be a blight on communities.
The new law creates a state-administered brownfield grant program with the goal of providing technical and financial resources directly to communities while bolstering incentives for developers. It will provide $5 million annually for investigation, assessment and remediation to local governments, economic development agencies, development boards and county land banks.
Removing administrative burdens for underground injection control activities - A new law removes the permit requirement for Class V underground injection control permits without diminishing the responsibility of owners or operators to maintain compliance with regulations protecting water quality. The law also reduces administrative burdens and costs for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Duck River – The Tennessee General Assembly has approved legislation that I sponsored along with State Representative Scott Cepicky that expands protections for a portion of the Duck River in Maury County. This law classifies approximately 30 river miles of the waterway as a Class II scenic river area. The designation generally prohibits certain activities like mining, commercial timber harvest or the construction of roads from occurring within a certain proximity of the river.
Strengthening self-defense protections for bear attacks - This new law allows Tennesseans living next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to take, harm or kill a bear that enters their property and poses a threat. The bear must be acting in a manner that presents imminent danger, death or serious bodily injury in order for the bill to apply. The law also requires property owners to notify the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) within 24 hours after killing or seriously injuring a bear if possible. A bear cannot be removed from the site, repositioned, sold or transferred without authorization by the agency.
Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, gives weekly updates regarding laws passed and implemented in the U.S. General Assembly.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Legislative Update: Law protecting Duck River goes into effect
