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SB 969

Game and Fish Laws - As introduced, extends from January 1 to 15, the deadline by which the wildlife resources agency must submit to legislative committees with subject matter jurisdiction over natural resources a written report containing the estimated acreage managed by the agency that has been closed to recreational hunting and fishing during the previous fiscal year and the reasons for the closures; the estimated acreage managed by the agency that was opened to recreational hunting and fishing to compensate for the acreage that was so closed; and the estimated acreage of new public hunting and fishing lands added. - Amends TCA Title 70.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Southerland

Tennessee wildlife agency gets two extra weeks (to January 15) to report annual changes in hunting and fishing access across state-managed lands.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 969

Legislative bill overview

SB 969 extends the deadline for Tennessee's wildlife resources agency to submit its annual report on hunting and fishing access changes from January 1 to January 15. The report must detail acreage closed to recreation, acreage reopened as compensation, and newly added public hunting and fishing lands from the previous fiscal year.

Why is this important

This reporting requirement provides transparency and accountability for how state-managed wildlife lands are allocated between conservation restrictions and public recreational access. A two-week deadline extension may improve report quality and accuracy, though the practical impact depends on whether the agency currently struggles to meet the original January 1 deadline.

Potential points of contention

  • Minimal substantive change: The bill only shifts a deadline by two weeks, raising questions about whether this addresses any actual implementation problem or is largely procedural
  • Transparency vs. agency burden: While the extension may help produce better reports, some may argue it delays public oversight of land management decisions by two weeks annually
  • Scope clarity: The bill doesn't define what constitutes "compensation" for closures or establish standards for evaluating whether reopened acreage adequately offsets restrictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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