Tennessee Governor Signs Bill Giving Wildlife Commission Final Say on Hunting in City Limits

The new law restricts municipalities from taking action against legal hunters discharging firearms within city limits.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:18pm

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A serene painting of a lone duck hunter standing in a grassy marsh at the edge of a small town, the scene bathed in warm, cinematic lighting and deep shadows, conceptually representing the tensions between state and local oversight of hunting practices.A new state law affirms the authority of Tennessee's wildlife commission over local hunting regulations, sparking debate over the balance of state and municipal control.Today in Nashville

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill (Senate Bill 2028/House Bill 2017) that gives the state's wildlife commission final authority over hunting within city limits, restricting municipalities from taking action against legal hunters discharging firearms. The bill came about due to an ongoing legal case in Sweetwater, Tennessee, where six duck hunters were cited for hunting on private property within the city limits.

Why it matters

This bill aims to clarify state-level oversight of hunting regulations, overriding local municipal laws. It could have wide-ranging impacts across Tennessee, where hunting within city limits is common. The bill was supported by the Tennessee Wildlife Federation as a way to protect the state's hunting heritage.

The details

The bill does not prevent municipalities from taking action if the discharge of firearms is considered 'reckless,' but it establishes that the Tennessee Wildlife Commission has final say over legal hunting practices within city limits. The bill also restricts the discharge of any firearm within 500 feet of school property. The legislation was sponsored by Republican Representative Mark Cochran, who said it 'simply clarifies what numerous (attorney's general) have understood for many years... that it is the fish and wildlife commission that ultimately governs the discharge of a firearm while lawfully hunting.'

  • The bill was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on April 7, 2026.
  • The bill was passed by a large majority in both the Tennessee House (69-17) and Senate (26-5).

The players

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee

The governor of Tennessee who signed the bill into law.

Tennessee Wildlife Federation

An organization that lobbied in support of the bill, stating it 'helps reaffirm a clear and consistent statewide framework for lawful hunting in Tennessee while preserving the expectation that hunters act safely, responsibly, and within the law.'

Rep. Mark Cochran

The Republican representative from District 23 in Englewood, Tennessee who sponsored House Bill 2017.

Matthew Rogers

The attorney representing the defendants in the ongoing legal case in Sweetwater, Tennessee that prompted the new legislation.

Sweetwater, Tennessee

The city where six duck hunters were cited for discharging firearms within city limits, leading to the legal case that prompted the new state law.

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What they’re saying

“This legislation helps reaffirm a clear and consistent statewide framework for lawful hunting in Tennessee while preserving the expectation that hunters act safely, responsibly, and within the law. We appreciate the General Assembly's action to protect Tennessee's hunting heritage and ensure wildlife law continues to be guided by sound statewide policy.”

— Tennessee Wildlife Federation

“I think a newly enacted statute doesn't do anything to hurt us, it just solidifies our position. But I think the court of appeals is going to judge it based on what laws were in effect at the time of the citation.”

— Matthew Rogers, Attorney for the defendants

What’s next

The ongoing legal case in Sweetwater, Tennessee regarding the six duck hunters cited for discharging firearms within city limits will continue to be heard by the East Tennessee Court of Appeals. The new state law may be considered as part of the oral arguments, though the court will likely judge the case based on the laws in effect at the time of the original citations.

The takeaway

This new law aims to establish clear state-level oversight of hunting regulations, overriding local municipal laws that could conflict with the Tennessee Wildlife Commission's authority. While it preserves the ability of cities to address 'reckless' discharging of firearms, the bill is seen as a win for protecting Tennessee's hunting heritage in the face of increasing conflicts between hunters and local authorities.