Tennessee Republicans Back Conservation Easements – But at What Cost to Property Rights?

A bill resurrected from last session, with changes that make it even more controversial than when it was last proposed, is making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly. 

 HB1325/SB0207, is raising serious concerns among grassroots conservatives and property rights advocates. Sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), the bill would establish a Farmland Preservation Fund, allowing landowners to voluntarily place their farmland or forestland into permanent conservation easements in exchange for taxpayer-funded grants.

At first glance, this may seem like a noble effort to protect Tennessee’s agricultural heritage. But upon closer examination, the legislation appears to align more closely with the Biden administration’s radical 30x30 Agenda than with the principles of limited government and private property rights.

What’s Really in This Bill?

 Under this bill, Tennessee taxpayer dollars would be used to fund nonprofit organizations—including global environmental groups like The Nature Conservancy—to purchase conservation easements. These easements, once in place, last forever and significantly restrict how the land can be used, even by future generations.

 Here’s what this really means for Tennessee landowners:

• A conservation easement is permanent – Once land is placed in an easement, its use is legally restricted in perpetuity, regardless of future economic or environmental needs.
• Landowners lose control – Farmers and foresters who enter these agreements must comply with strict limitations set by the easement holder. This means no development, no repurposing of the land, and even restrictions on how they farm or use their property.
• Future generations are locked in – Once the easement is in place, the next generation will have little recourse to change or reverse the agreement. The land cannot be used for anything beyond what the easement holder dictates.
• Easement holders have full authority – The bill allows third-party nonprofit groups to enforce penalties, conduct inspections, and even sell the easement to another entity—without notifying the landowner.

 Is This Really a Conservative Bill?

The Republican Party’s platform—and President Trump’s America First agenda—do not advocate for government-facilitated land restrictions or funding global environmental groups to manage private property. Yet, this bill, backed by supposed MAGA-aligned legislators, does exactly that.

 If Tennessee Republicans claim to be opposed to Biden’s green agenda, why are they pushing legislation that helps implement the 30x30 plan to control 30% of America’s land by 2030?

Additionally, state government agencies are NOT included in the bill—only local governments and private landowners. If conservation is truly the goal, why not apply these restrictions to state-owned land first? The exclusion of state land raises questions about whether this bill is about conservation or about consolidating control over private property.

Who’s Behind This?

The bill’s sponsors, some of the most entrenched establishment Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly, have a long history of writing “do-nothing” bills that appear conservative on the surface but fail to deliver real results.

Co-Sponsors:

 House: 

• Representative Mark Cochran (R-D23 Englewood)
• Representative Rusty Grills (R-D77 Newbern)

 Senate:

·      Senator Ken Yager (R-D12 Kingston)

·      Senator Shane Reeves (R-D14 Bedford,Cannon , Moore and Rutherford Co’s)

·      Senator Jessie Seal (R-D8-New Tazewell) 

·      Senator Page Walley (R-D26 Savannah)

 These legislators frequently posture as grassroots conservatives while drafting bills that protect big donors and global nonprofit interests. If this bill were truly about conserving farmland for Tennessee families, why is it structured in a way that benefits international conservation groups at the expense of property rights?

A Fake Fix for a Real Problem

This bill claims to protect farmland and support rural landowners, but in reality, it does the opposite. Instead of empowering farmers and foresters to make their own decisions, it entices them with short-term financial incentivesin exchange for permanently surrendering their land’s future use.

The real solution to preserving farmland isn’t locking it away under environmental NGOs’ control—it’s ensuring that property rights are upheld and that Tennessee families, not government-backed nonprofit groups, determine how their land is used.

What Can You Do?

If Tennessee conservatives truly oppose Biden’s radical green agenda, they must demand changes to this legislation. Contact your state legislators today and tell them:

✅ No taxpayer money for global environmental groups
✅ No permanent conservation easements that strip property rights forever
✅ No funding for Biden’s 30x30 land grab in Tennessee

Tennessee conservatives must hold their legislators accountable. 

Don’t let fake populist Republicans sell out private property rights under the guise of “conservation.”

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