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TennesseeSB 2597114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 70, relative to wildlife resources.

Sponsored By: Steve Southerland (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Local police enforce wildlife safety rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency can make limited agreements with local police to help enforce wildlife safety. Agreements must focus on public safety issues from human-wildlife interactions, like feeding wildlife or risky encounters. Each agreement must list the exact laws, rules, or proclamations the local agency can enforce. Local agencies must send regular reports to the executive director with citation details, facts of the offense, and the final outcome.

Fines for feeding black bears

Beginning July 1, 2026, you cannot feed black bears in areas the Fish and Wildlife Commission bans by proclamation. Knowingly feeding a bear there is a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of at least $250, plus any court costs or fees. If a bear is fed because you left food or garbage unsecured, the first offense gets a written warning. A second or later such offense carries at least a $250 fine.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Southerland

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

  • Jessie Seal

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 122 • No: 3

House vote • 3/30/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/30/2026

Yes: 84 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/16/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/16/2026

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/14/2026Senate

  2. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/2/2026House

  3. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/30/2026House

  7. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0622)

    3/30/2026House

  8. Passed H., Ayes 84, Nays 3, PNV 1

    3/30/2026House

  9. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    3/19/2026House

  10. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/16/2026Senate

  11. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0595)

    3/16/2026Senate

  12. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 0

    3/16/2026Senate

  13. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/16/2026Senate

  14. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/16/2026

    3/13/2026Senate

  15. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/4/2026Senate

  16. Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/4/2026

    2/25/2026Senate

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

    2/5/2026Senate

  18. Filed for introduction

    2/2/2026Senate

  19. Sponsor change.

    2/2/2026Senate

  20. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

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