Tennessee Senate Bill SB1615

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Engrossed: 3/16/26
• Enrolled: 3/24/26
• Passed: 4/7/26
• Chaptered: 4/27/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3, relative to designating Lake County as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee.

Summary

SB1615 is a simple designation bill that amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3 to officially name Lake County as the “Eagle Capital of Tennessee.” The bill is largely ceremonial and promotional, grounded in findings about the county’s large number of eagle nests, seasonal migration of eagles to Reelfoot Lake and the Mississippi River area, and the popularity of eagle-related tourism in the region. The measure highlights Reelfoot Lake State Park, Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, and private outfitters that offer eagle tours, and it emphasizes the county’s role as a destination for bird watchers, photographers, and visitors during the winter months. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law and does not create a regulatory program or impose new duties on state or local agencies beyond the honorary designation.

Impact

The bill adds a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3 establishing Lake County’s official state designation as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee. Its legal effect is limited to an honorary recognition, but it may be used in tourism promotion, local branding, and economic development efforts tied to wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. It does not alter substantive rights, taxes, permitting, or wildlife management rules.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been received very positively and without controversy. It passed the Senate State & Local Government Committee unanimously 9-0 and later passed the floor motion 32-0, indicating broad bipartisan support. The bill’s tone and legislative history suggest it was viewed as a celebratory measure recognizing a distinctive local feature and its tourism value.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. Because the bill is an honorary designation, it does not appear to have generated debate over costs, enforcement, or regulatory impact. Any discussion would likely have centered on whether the designation appropriately reflects Lake County’s eagle population and tourism identity, but the unanimous votes suggest no significant opposition from either chamber.