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HJR 488

Memorials, Recognition - Great Smoky Mountains National Park -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Jeremy Faison

Ceremonially recognizes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a Tennessee treasure and nation's asset, celebrating its history, biodiversity, and $2.2B annual impact.

Signed by Governor.
#memorials #recognition
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Bill Summary · HJR 488

Summary of Bill: HJR 488 — Memorials, Recognition – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Overview

  • Bill type: House Joint Resolution (HJR 488)
  • Title: Memorials, Recognition - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Purpose: Ceremonial recognition and honor of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a Tennessee treasure and a significant national asset
  • Sponsor: Representative Faison
  • Current status: Signed by the Governor (April 9, 2025)

Purpose and Rationale

  • The resolution recognizes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as an emblem of Tennessee’s natural and cultural heritage.
  • It highlights the park’s importance to the state and the nation, celebrating its history, biodiversity, recreational value, and economic impact.
  • It memorializes the park’s creation as a shared legacy developed through Tennesseans’ past preservation efforts and community support.

Key Provisions and Content

  • Asserts that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans into North Carolina and covers 522,427 acres in the Appalachian region.
  • Describes notable natural features: mountain peaks, forests, waterfalls, trails, and drives.
  • Documents wildlife and biodiversity highlights, including black bear, white-tailed deer, elk, chipmunk, 19 firefly species, over 200 bird species, and more than 30 salamander species; notes the park’s designation as the “salamander capital of the world.”
  • Provides economic and employment data:
    • Approximately 200 permanent staff and 140 seasonal workers
    • More than 2,000 volunteers annually
    • Supports 33,748 jobs in surrounding communities
    • Total economic impact exceeding $2.2 billion annually
  • Highlights visitation: 13 million recreational visits in 2023, making it the most-visited National Park in the United States (more than Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon combined, per the resolution).
  • Recaps historic milestones:
    • Designated International Biosphere Reserve (Oct. 26, 1976)
    • Designated World Heritage Site (Dec. 6, 1983)
    • Early 20th-century preservation efforts by Tennesseans and North Carolinians
    • Fundraising and legislative actions in the 1920s leading to park creation; notable private funding and support, including a match by the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Fund
    • Official dedication as a National Park by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940
  • Ceremonial directive: “Be it resolved” language states the House and Senate recognize and honor the park and that an appropriate copy of the resolution be prepared for presentation (with specific formatting instructions for the copy).

Affected Parties and Impact

  • Primary beneficiary: Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the broader Tennessee community, including local businesses and visitors.
  • Indirect impact: Reinforces Tennessee’s preservation legacy and may bolster tourism-facing pride and awareness.
  • Nature of impact: Ceremonial, non-binding recognition with no new policy or funding mandates.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • Introduction: March 20, 2025
  • House actions: Engrossed and prepared for transmission (March 25–24 milestones); placed on House consent calendar (March 24); Ayes 96–Nays 0 (March 24)
  • Senate actions: Received March 26; placed on Senate Consent Calendar (March 28); Concurred (Ayes 30–Nays 0) on March 31
  • Enactment steps: Enrolled and ready for signatures (April 2); signed by House Speaker and Senate (April 2)
  • Transmittal: Transmitted to Governor (April 7)
  • Governor’s action: Signed (April 9, 2025)

Notes

  • The bill is a ceremonial memorial resolution with no new spending authority or substantive regulatory changes.
  • The language emphasizes the park’s historical fundraising story and enduring significance to Tennessee and the nation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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