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Tennessee · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026) · Bill

SB 2597: 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.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 2597 is a bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate on February 2, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: 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. Primary sponsor: Steve Southerland (Republican). Most recent recorded action (May 4, 2026): Pub. Ch. 738.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Steve SoutherlandPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate9

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Pub. Ch. 738
  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
  3. Signed by Governor.
  4. Signed by H. Speaker
  5. Transmitted to Governor for action.
  6. Enrolled and ready for signatures
  7. Signed by Senate Speaker
  8. Subst. for comp. HB.
  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0622)
  10. Passed H., Ayes 84, Nays 3, PNV 1
  11. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

Showing 12 most recent of 22 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source