BSB/2/16
Sponsored by Bhavesh Bhavanam, Visagan Saravnana of Franklin High School
This legislation was filed in the Economic and Community Development category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH LEGISLATURE |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Section 1: Terms used in this act shall be defined as follows: |
| 4 | Gardening - the cultivation of plants practical purposes, including but not limited to fruits, |
| 5 | vegetables, flowers, and herbs. |
| 6 | Sustainable Land Use - practices that aim to manage land resources in a way that preserves |
| 7 | biodiversity, conserves natural habitats, and promotes ecosystem health. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | Section 2: A 5% reduction in sales tax will be granted on the purchase of gardening supplies and |
| 10 | equipment, including seeds, plants, soil, compost, gardening tools, and rainwater harvesting |
| 11 | systems. This reduction aims to make gardening more accessible and affordable for individuals |
| 12 | interested in cultivating their own gardens. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | Section 3: The current state sales tax on gardening supplies and equipment will be waived for |
| 15 | purchases made by community gardens and educational institutions for gardening-related |
| 16 | projects. This measure aims to support community gardening initiatives and promote gardening |
| 17 | education in schools. |
| 18 | |
| 19 | Section 4: An unregistered government fund, named the Tennessee Gardening Support Fund, will |
| 20 | be established. Revenue generated from the reduction in sales tax on gardening supplies and |
| 21 | equipment will be allocated to this fund to support community gardening projects, provide grants |
| 22 | for sustainable land use initiatives, and promote gardening education. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | Section 5: This bill will cost approximately $7,528,000 annually, to be funded through |
| 25 | appropriations from the Tennessee Gardening Support Fund. |
| 26 | |
| 27 | Section 6: All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this bill are hereby repealed. |
| 28 | |
| 29 | Section 7: If enacted, this act shall take effect on January 1, 2025. |
| 30 |