State Symbols - As enacted, designates Lake County as the "Eagle Capital of Tennessee." - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3. Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter Number 667 by the Secretary of State, the official text

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                             PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 667

                                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1615

                                                       By Jackson, Yarbro

                                           Substituted for: House Bill No. 1981

                                               By Grills, Russell, Fritts, Todd

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3, relative to designating
          Lake County as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee.

          WHEREAS, across human history, eagles have been revered as powerful symbols of
strength, freedom, and vision, appearing on the flags, currency, and heraldry of dozens of nations;
and

          WHEREAS, eagles play a critical role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems by
regulating populations of prey species and scavenging on carrion; and

          WHEREAS, Lake County has become a mecca for eagle enthusiasts, annually holding the
Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival, attracting bird watchers from far and wide; and

          WHEREAS, with over ninety eagle nests in the area and thousands of migrating eagles
coming to spend the winter months at Reelfoot Lake and along the Mississippi River in Lake County,
eagles can be seen as they perch in trees along the banks of the lake and river and soar overhead
in search of food; and

          WHEREAS, Reelfoot Lake State Park and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge and private
outfitters offer eagle tours during the months of January and February, providing a positive economic
impact for Lake County from the many overnight visitations for eagle watching, photography, and
tours; now, therefore,

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

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:

                    Lake County is designated as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee.

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 1615

PASSED:  March 23, 2026

                                      RANDY l\ltNALLY
                         SPEAKER OF THE JENA TE

                         CAMER9W'SEXTON,SPEAKER
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

/Apo ( APPROVED this ]'L. day of  2026

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         BILL LEE, GOVERNOR