Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 2; Title 9; Title 12; Title 43; Title 49; Title 67 and Title 70.

ON MARCH 30, 2023, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1490, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to provide that, if the wildlife resources agency ("agency") contracts with a farmer to farm lands owned or under the control of this state, then not less than 60 days before the expiration of the contract, the agency must offer the farmer the opportunity to renegotiate the contract with the agency prior to accepting requests for proposals for the contract. If the farmer and the agency agree to renew the contract, then the farmer may renew the contract for three additional five-year terms if the farmer and agency are able to agree to terms during each renewal period; however, if the farmer has been under contract with the agency for 20 or more consecutive years, then upon the expiration of the next term of the contract, the farmer is not entitled to renegotiate the contract with the agency prior to the agency accepting requests for proposals for the contract. However, a farmer is not prohibited from bidding on a contract after being under contract with the agency for 20 or more consecutive years. These provisions apply to contracts executed, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2023. ON APRIL 1, 2024, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1490 FOR HOUSE BILL 899, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1490, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #2 changes the effective date to July 1, 2024.