Tennessee SB 2597: Local Education Agencies - As introduced, authorizes an LEA or public charter school to enroll, or deny enrollment to, students who are unlawfully present in the United States; eliminates state education funding for students who are unlawfully present in the United States; requires LEAs and public charter schools that enroll students who are unlawfully present in the United States to bear sole financial responsibility for their education. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 49.

Bill Text

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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 738
SENA TE BILL NO. 2597
By Southerland, Bowling, Seal
Substituted for: House Bill No. 2215
By Atchley, Crawford, Howell
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 70, relative to wildlife resources.
WHEREAS, the feeding of bears habituates wildlife to human food sources, increases
aggressive bear behavior, and creates significant risks to public safety, property, and the welfare of
the bears themselves; and
WHEREAS, individuals who intentionally feed bears or leave food or garbage unsecured,
accessible, or in a manner that attracts bears contribute to conditions that constitute reckless
endangerment to residents, visitors, and first responders; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of this body that this legislation addresses the feeding of bears in
a manner that endangers the public and does not apply to lawful hunting activities conducted in
accordance with applicable state wildlife laws and regulations; and
WHEREAS, through proclamation of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, it is
already established that the feeding of bears within certain corporate limits is a violation of wildlife
regulations; and
WHEREAS, it is the legislative intent to increase the ability of the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency, through partnership with local law enforcement agencies, to enforce existing
wildlife regulations, in particular, the feeding of bears in a manner that is unrelated to hunting to
protect public safety and preserve wildlife; now, therefore,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 70-1-305, is amended by adding the
following as a new subdivision:
(13)(A) Notwithstanding§§ 70-1-301(a) and 70-6-101(a), enter into agreements with
local law enforcement agencies for the limited purpose of assisting an agency with
the enforcement of this title, rules promulgated by the fish and wildlife commission,
and proclamations passed by the fish and wildlife commission;
(B) Such agreements must be limited in scope to assisting with matters of
public safety specific to human wildlife interaction such as feeding wildlife and
interaction with wildlife that could cause a public safety concern. The agreements
must specify the laws, rules, or proclamations the local law enforcement agency is
authorized to enforce and cite;
(C) The agreements created and entered into pursuant to this subdivision (13)
must require local law enforcement agencies to provide regular reports to the
executive director, or the director's designee, when the authority under the agreement
is exercised. Such reporting must include, but not be limited to, all details related to
the citation, including the facts of the offense, and the final disposition; and
(D) This subdivision (13) does not authorize a local law enforcement agency
subject to an agreement to exceed the agency's jurisdiction.

SB 2597
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 70, Chapter 4, Part 2, is amended by adding
the following new section:
(a) Notwithstanding another law to the contrary, it is an offense to feed a black bear
within the confines of an area the commission has proclaimed that feeding black bears is
prohibited.
(b) Knowingly feeding a black bear in violation of subsection (a) is a Class B
misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of no less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), before
the imposition of any additional court costs or fees.
(c) Unknowingly feeding a black bear in violation of subsection (a), that occurs as a
result of knowingly leaving food or garbage unsecured and otherwise 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 two hundred
fifty dollars ($250), before the imposition of any additional court costs or fees.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and applies to
acts or omissions occurring on or after such date.
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PASSED:
APPROVED this
SENATE BILL NO. 2597
March 30, 2026
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RAND'_ ----,-_______ Y M~ALL Y
SPEAKER OF THE SENATE
CAMERO~XTON,SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
14-t:e. day of [rJr; I 2026
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BILL LEE, GOVERNOR