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 management laws and rules; creates a criminal offense for feeding black bears under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 70.
HB 2215 allows Tennessee's wildlife agency to partner with local police to enforce wildlife laws, specifically for public safety issues like bear feeding. It directly affects residents and visitors in areas where officials have posted notices prohibiting bear feeding. The bill creates a Class B misdemeanor for intentionally feeding black bears in these designated zones, punishable by a $250 fine, while unintentional feeding due to unsecured food results in a warning for first offenses and a $250 fine for repeat violations. Key mechanisms include requiring detailed reporting by police when enforcing these rules and limiting enforcement agreements to specific wildlife safety concerns. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2026
Last action May 4, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
8
Committee
12
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 3/24/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 3/10/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Fred Atchley
RRepublican
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