Animal Cruelty and Abuse - As enacted, adds starvation resulting in death of a livestock animal to the types of conduct that constitute the Class E felony of aggravated cruelty to a livestock animal, when done in a depraved and sadistic manner without justifiable or lawful purpose. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2.

HB 2263 amends Tennessee law to specifically criminalize intentionally starving livestock to death in a "depraved and sadistic manner" without justification, expanding the definition of aggravated cruelty to livestock. This directly affects individuals who commit such acts against livestock, making it a Class E felony. The bill adds starvation as a distinct prohibited act under existing cruelty statutes, requiring proof of extreme cruelty and lack of lawful purpose. It will take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed. The law targets severe cases of livestock abuse, not routine farming practices.