SB 2597

Present law generally gives TWRA and the Tennessee fish and wildlife commission exclusive jurisdiction over the duties and functions relating to any laws relating to the management, protection, propagation, and conservation of wildlife, including hunting and fishing. Present law also requires state and federal wildlife officers to enforce such laws. This bill authorizes the executive director of TWRA to enter into agreements with local law enforcement agencies for the limited purpose of assisting the agency with the enforcement of wildlife laws and proclamations specific to human wildlife interaction. Any such agreement must require the local law enforc ement agency to provide regular reports to the executive director when the authority under the agreement is exercised. This bill also makes it a Class B misdemeanor offense for a person to feed black bears within the confines of an area for which the commission has proclaimed that feeding black bears is prohibited. A knowing violation is punishable by a fine of no less than $250. An unknowing violation that occurs as a result of knowingly leaving food or garbage unsecured and otherwise accessible to black bears is punishable by a written warning only for a first offense and a fine of no less than $250 for a second or s ub sequent offense. ON MARCH 16, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2597, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 a dds a preamble, specifies that an agreement between TWRA and a local law enforcement agency under this bill does not authorize the local law enforcement agency to exceed TWRA 's jurisdiction , and establishes a criminal offense for feeding bears under certain circumstances. This amendment makes it an offense to feed a black bear within the confines of an area the fish and wildlife commission has proclaimed that feeding black bears is prohibited. Knowingly feeding a black bear in violation of this amendment is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of no less than $250, before the imposition of any additional court costs or fees. Unknowingly feeding a black bear in violation of this amendment , that occurs as a result of knowingly leaving food or garbage unsecured and ot herwise 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 $250, before the imposition of any additional court costs or fees.