Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - As enacted, authorizes the executive director of the wildlife resources agency to enter into agreements with local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing wildlife man, the official text

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                            PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 738

                                                  SENATE BILL NO. 2597

                                               By Southerland, Bowling, Seal

                                           Substituted for: House Bill No. 2215

                                               By Atchley, Crawford, Howell

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

         WHEREAS, the feeding of bears habituates wildlife to human food sources, increases
aggressive bear behavior, and creates significant risks to public safety, property, and the welfare of
the bears themselves; and

         WHEREAS, individuals who intentionally feed bears or leave food or garbage unsecured,
accessible, or in a manner that attracts bears contribute to conditions that constitute reckless
endangerment to residents, visitors, and first responders; and

          WHEREAS, it is the intent of this body that this legislation addresses the feeding of bears in
a manner that endangers the public and does not apply to lawful hunting activities conducted in
accordance with applicable state wildlife laws and regulations; and

          WHEREAS, through proclamation of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, it is
already established that the feeding of bears within certain corporate limits is a violation of wildlife
regulations; and

          WHEREAS, it is the legislative intent to increase the ability of the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency, through partnership with local law enforcement agencies, to enforce existing
wildlife regulations, in particular, the feeding of bears in a manner that is unrelated to hunting to
protect public safety and preserve wildlife; now, therefore,

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

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 70-1-305, is amended by adding the
following as a new subdivision:

                    (13)(A) Notwithstanding§§ 70-1-301(a) and 70-6-101(a), enter into agreements with
                    local law enforcement agencies for the limited purpose of assisting an agency with
                    the enforcement of this title, rules promulgated by the fish and wildlife commission,
                    and proclamations passed by the fish and wildlife commission;

                              (B) Such agreements must be limited in scope to assisting with matters of
                    public safety specific to human wildlife interaction such as feeding wildlife and
                    interaction with wildlife that could cause a public safety concern. The agreements
                    must specify the laws, rules, or proclamations the local law enforcement agency is
                    authorized to enforce and cite;

                              (C) The agreements created and entered into pursuant to this subdivision (13)
                    must require local law enforcement agencies to provide regular reports to the
                    executive director, or the director's designee, when the authority under the agreement
                    is exercised. Such reporting must include, but not be limited to, all details related to
                    the citation, including the facts of the offense, and the final disposition; and

                              (D) This subdivision (13) does not authorize a local law enforcement agency
                    subject to an agreement to exceed the agency's jurisdiction.
SB 2597

         SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 70, Chapter 4, Part 2, is amended by adding
the following new section:

                   (a) Notwithstanding another law to the contrary, it is an offense to feed a black bear
         within the confines of an area the commission has proclaimed that feeding black bears is
         prohibited.

                   (b) Knowingly feeding a black bear in violation of subsection (a) is a Class B
          misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of no less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), before
         the imposition of any additional court costs or fees.

                   (c) Unknowingly feeding a black bear in violation of subsection (a), that occurs as a
          result of knowingly leaving food or garbage unsecured and otherwise accessible to black
          bears, is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by:

                             (1) For a first offense, a written warning only; or

                             (2) For a second or subsequent offense, a fine of no less than two hundred
                   fifty dollars ($250), before the imposition of any additional court costs or fees.

          SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and applies to
acts or omissions occurring on or after such date.

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         SENATE BILL NO. 2597

PASSED:  March 30, 2026

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                                        R__A__N__D_'_Y M ---~-,A- LLY

                               SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

                               CAMERO~XTON,SPEAKER
                               HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

14-t:e. APPROVED this  day of  [rJr; I  2026

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         BILL LEE, GOVERNOR