Holidays and Days of Special Observance - As enacted, designates the month of April as "Tennessee Native Plant Month." - Amends TCA Title 15, Chapter 2. HB1738 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 588 by the Secretary, the official text

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                        ~tate of \!tennessee

                          PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 588

                                                  HOUSE BILL NO. 1738

By Representatives Vital, Littleton, McCalmon, Grills, Lamberth, Bulso, Travis, Alexander,
                             Reedy, Fritts, Davis, Butler, Salinas, Reneau, Todd

                                       Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 2073

                                             By Senators Watson, Powers

          AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, relative to native
plant month.

          WHEREAS, the cultivation, growth, and sale of native plants support Tennessee's robust
agriculture and nursery industries, creating jobs in horticulture, landscaping, and ecotourism
while also increasing property values; and

          WHEREAS, native plants, indigenous species that have evolved alongside native wildlife
and occur naturally across the State of Tennessee and in specific geographic regions,
ecosystems, and habitats, are essential for maintaining healthy, diverse, and sustainable
ecosystems; and

          WHEREAS, Tennessee is home to over 2,400 native plant species, including large
shade trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, grasses, and wildflowers; and

          WHEREAS, native plants are well-adapted to Tennessee's soils, temperatures,
precipitation, and environmental conditions, making them the ideal choice for conserving and
protecting our Tennessee environment and adapting to its changes and playing a crucial role in
cleaning the air, filtering water, and stabilizing soils; and

          WHEREAS, it is a policy of this State to encourage public awareness about the benefits
of Tennessee's native plants to pollinators and other wildlife, to the economy, and the health
and sustainability of Tennessee's ecosystem; now, therefore,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, is amended by adding the
following new section:

                    The month of April of each year is hereby designated as "Tennessee Native
          Plant Month" in this state.

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         HOUSE BILL NO. 1738

PASSED:  February 23, 2026

                            CAMERON~XTON,SPEAKER
                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                        PEAKER OF  CNALLY
                                                   SENATE

APPROVED this UJ_tJL day of (\'J;xt:C~  2026

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BILL LEE, GOVERNOR