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HJR 89

Memorials, Recognition - Tennessee Tree Day -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bob Freeman

Designates March 15, 2025 as Tennessee Tree Day to honor the Tennessee Environmental Council for coordinating statewide tree-planting, boosting state canopy with minimal cost.

Signed by Governor.
#memorials #recognition
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Bill Summary · HJR 89

Summary of Tennessee House Joint Resolution 89 (HJR 89)

Overview and Purpose

  • HJR 89 is a joint resolution that designates March 15, 2025, as “Tennessee Tree Day.”
  • The measure is non-binding and ceremonial in nature, recognizing the Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) for its leadership in statewide tree-planting efforts.
  • The bill emphasizes Tennessee’s rich forest cover and biodiversity, and it highlights TEC’s role in coordinating large-scale tree-planting events across all 95 counties.

Key Provisions

  • Proclaims March 15, 2025, as "Tennessee Tree Day" and notes that thousands of Tennesseans will participate in community tree-planting events.
  • Honors and commends the Tennessee Environmental Council for its service as the lead organizer of these events and for pledging to continue providing tree seedlings, educational information, and coordination support.
  • Encourages recognition of TEC’s partnerships and ongoing contribution to increasing the state’s tree canopy.
  • Includes standard language for preparation and presentation of an appropriate copy of the resolution.

Fiscal Impact

  • Based on the fiscal note, the resolution would have not-for-significant fiscal effects on state or local government.
  • Since the measure does not declare a legal holiday, any incremental expenditure to prepare a copy of the resolution is estimated to be not significant.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) and its volunteers, partners, and participants in tree-planting events.
  • Indirectly, local governments, state agencies (e.g., Tennessee Department of Agriculture – Division of Forestry, UT Extension), corporations, stormwater agencies, and other community organizations involved in TEC’s events.

Background Context Referenced in the Bill

  • TEC is a nonprofit founded in 1970 with a history of organizing annual statewide tree-planting events since 2007.
  • TEC claims to have facilitated planting of more than one million native trees across all 95 counties and engaged over 100,000 volunteers since 2007.
  • The resolution acknowledges TEC’s collaboration with multiple partners, including state forestry resources and educational institutions, and notes that most native trees planted are grown at the Tennessee Division of Forestry’s East Tennessee Nursery in Delano.

Procedural Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: November 12, 2024.
  • Enacted/Passed: The bill advanced through the 2024-2025 session with concurrent passage in both chambers (visible actions show sponsor additions, concurrence in the Senate, and enrollment).
  • Key actions:
    • February–March 2025: Committee referrals, concurrence actions, and consideration on consent calendars.
    • March 3–4, 2025: Concurrence and enrollment steps completed.
    • March 12, 2025: Governor signed the resolution into law.
  • Official status: Signed by the Governor; the resolution is now part of Tennessee’s ceremonial statutes recognizing Tennessee Tree Day.

Notes for Readers

  • This is a ceremonial recognition and does not create new regulatory requirements or a legal holiday.
  • The resolution serves to elevate public awareness of tree-planting efforts and TEC’s leadership in expanding Tennessee’s tree canopy.

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

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