Conservation, Rural Water, and School Choice
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Conservation, Rural Water, and School Choice
By State Senator
Ken Yager
Week 8 saw a great deal of activity in Senate committees as we continued reviewing legislation for the year. All nine Senate committees are busy hearing bills that have been referred to them, and many important measures are moving through the process.
This week, I presented three significant bills in the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. After hearing testimony and discussing the proposals, the committee passed all three unanimously on bipartisan votes.
One of those measures, Senate Bill 2172, protects the segment of the Big South Fork River that passes through Scott County by designating it as a Pastoral River Area under the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Act. This designation will help preserve the river and the pristine environment surrounding it. One practical effect of the bill is that it prevents the construction or operation of new solid or hazardous waste landfills in Scott County. The existing landfill would not be affected. Having personally hiked the Big South Fork, I know how important this natural treasure is both to our environment and to the region’s tourism economy.
Another measure, Senate Bill 2175, prioritizes rural water projects by requiring the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to include rural counties on the priority list for loans from the state’s Water System Revolving Loan Fund. Extending water infrastructure into rural areas can be extremely expensive. This bill will help rural communities access low-interest loans needed to build essential water infrastructure.
The committee also passed Senate Bill 2173, which addresses the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s proposed off-highway vehicle (OHV) permit fee schedule for the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. Under TWRA’s original proposal, permit fees were set to increase
substantially in the coming years, raising serious concerns among local resorts and campgrounds that depend on outdoor recreation tourism. If permit prices rose too high, campgrounds near the Kentucky border—where permit fees are more competitive—could lose significant business. TWRA worked closely with us to address those concerns, and this legislation reflects that collaboration by lowering the proposed rates and locking them in for four years.
In other legislative news, the Senate Education Committee advanced legislation to expand Education Freedom Scholarships in response to overwhelming demand. The current program provides 25,000 scholarships, but more than 57,000 students applied this year. This bill expands it to 40,000 scholarships, ensuring more parents can choose what school best fits the needs of their child.
I have personally heard from several parents whose children were eligible but unable to receive a scholarship because of the limited number available. Expanding the program will help more families access educational opportunities that best meet their children’s needs.
As the legislative session continues, we are also moving closer to completing the state budget. I am pleased to serve on the Senate Finance Committee so I can help ensure responsible spending while representing the interests of our district.
Please continue to share your thoughts with me. I encourage you to call, write, or email my office with any questions or concerns. As always, thank you for the privilege of representing you in the Tennessee State Senate.
If you have any questions or would like to set up a visit to the Capitol, reach my office at: [email protected] or at (615) 741-1449.