NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An East Tennessee lawmaker introduced a bill that could impact how people who live on swaths of land near bear communities, such as farmers, handle bears that show they could pose a threat to people's safety.
Representative Jeremy Faison (R - Cosby) introduced HB 1453, which would allow people who live on land located next to, or inside of, areas where bears are active to use deadly force against a bear on their property if they show it could pose a threat to someone's safety.
The person would also need to submit a written request to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency ahead of time, asking for the bear to be removed.
The agency would then have ten days to respond to the request. The bill says that if the TWRA does not respond within that timeframe, the person would be allowed to use deadly force against the bear. They could also try to kill the bear if it leaves and enters the property again before the TWRA can remove it.
The person would need to have a "reasonable belief" that the bear's action placed them in imminent danger of death or injury. The bill also specifically says that the belief would need to be "founded upon reasonable grounds."
Senator Paul Bailey (R - Sparta) introduced the Senate version of the bill.
The House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee is expected to discuss the bill.