Senator Paul Bailey passes two bills regarding TWRA

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(March 22, 2022) - The Senate this month passed two bills by Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) pertaining to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA).

Under current law, TWRA can confiscate vehicles, including trucks, trailers and boats, from those caught violating hunting or fishing laws. Senate Bill 2868 prohibits TWRA from seizing vehicles from offenders, but the agency would still be permitted to confiscate firearms or hunting devices from them.

“The bill protects hunters and fishermen from having their vehicles seized and having to wait months to have them returned,” said Sen. Bailey. “TWRA can still confiscate hunting equipment and assess penalties, but it’s not fair to take someone’s mode of transportation away from them.”

Also passed by the Senate this month, Senate Bill 2859 requires TWRA when conducting sales of timber harvested from agency property to comply with all processes followed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture-Division of Forestry for those sales.

“There have been issues related to timber harvesting in the Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness Management Area in White County that revealed TWRA does not have to operate under the same guidelines as the Division of Forestry,” Sen. Bailey said. “This legislation makes sure any timber cutting TWRA proposes statewide must fall under same guidelines.”

Current proceeds from timber harvesting go into a TWRA fund. Bailey said the legislature in the 2023 session may consider redirecting that revenue to the state’s general fund.

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  • sissytoo

    Wow. Maybe they shouldn't be breaking the law????

    Wednesday, March 23, 2022 Report this