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TennesseeSB 0869114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 70, relative to hunting with bait.

Sponsored By: Joey Hensley (Republican)

Became Law

Licenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

License to bait deer on private land

Beginning July 1, 2025, you may hunt whitetail deer over bait on private or leased land only with a deer bait privilege license. The license costs $50 for Tennessee residents and $100 for non-residents, and you buy it the same way as an annual hunting license. Everyone hunting over bait in your party must have this license, even people who are normally exempt from a hunting license. The wildlife agency can suspend this privilege without a refund and will announce suspensions in a news release. By August 1, 2026, the commission sets what bait is allowed, how much you can use, and the license’s conditions.

Ban on bait and traps, with exceptions

Beginning July 1, 2025, it is illegal to use traps or similar devices, bait, poison, explosives, set guns, or spotlights/torches to take protected wildlife in Tennessee. During open seasons, you may use spot, electric, or torch lights for raccoons, opossums, and frogs, and box traps for rabbits. Breaking these rules is a Class C misdemeanor.

Wildlife disease actions and pet quarantines

Beginning July 1, 2025, the executive director may use chemical or biological tools, under controlled conditions, to capture or kill wildlife for science, breeding, enforcement, rescue, or to protect people, health, or property. Before acting to control rabies or other wildlife diseases, the county board of health must meet in public and declare a harmful condition, the county must quarantine all dogs, cats, and pets, and the board must request action with the state health commissioner agreeing. In this law, “pets” means domesticated animals normally kept in or near a home.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joey Hensley

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adam Lowe

    Republican • Senate

  • John Stevens

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 117 • No: 27

House vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR 2 PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2025

Yes: 76 • No: 18

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/21/2025

Yes: 27 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 444

    5/15/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2025

    5/15/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/9/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/28/2025Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/22/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0153)

    4/22/2025House

  10. Passed H., Ayes 76, Nays 18, PNV 2

    4/22/2025House

  11. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0167)

    4/21/2025Senate

  12. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 27, Nays 5, PNV 1

    4/21/2025Senate

  13. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/21/2025Senate

  14. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/21/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/21/2025

    4/17/2025Senate

  16. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    4/15/2025Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2025

    4/8/2025Senate

  18. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 6, Nays 3 PNV 0

    3/19/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/19/2025

    3/13/2025Senate

  20. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  21. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  22. Filed for introduction

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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