SB 2028 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Game and Fish Laws - As enacted, clarifies that local governmental entities shall not regulate the manner and means of taking wildlife, including the discharge of a firearm while lawfully hunting, and that such taking is regulated pursuant to rules promulgated and proclamations issued by the fish and wildlife commission. - Amends TCA Section 39-17-1314; Section 70-1-206 and Section 70-4-107.

SB 2028 clarifies that local governments in Tennessee (cities, counties, towns, or municipalities) cannot regulate how wildlife is taken, including firearm discharge during lawful hunting. It states that only the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has authority to set rules and proclamations governing hunting methods, amending Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1314, 70-1-206, and 70-4-107. The bill ensures hunters can legally use firearm discharge within commission-designated areas during approved seasons, as long as it aligns with commission regulations. This centralizes hunting regulation authority under the state commission, removing local regulatory power over hunting practices.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Apr 7, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
12
Committee
5
Amendments
3
Apr 7, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 26, Nays 5 (Amendment 3 - HA0712)
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0624)
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0681)
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 3 - HA0712)
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 69, Nays 17, PNV 3
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0527)
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 24, Nays 7, PNV 1
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 2/25/2026
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee to 2/25/2026
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 2/18/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Adam Lowe
Adam Lowe
RRepublican
TN
1