Tennessee committee approves drone use for recovering wounded deer and farm regulation changes

The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee of the Tennessee House of Representatives convened on April 1, 2025, to discuss several key pieces of legislation. The meeting resulted in the approval of two significant bills, which will now advance to the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for further consideration.

The first bill, House Bill 882, introduced by Representative Travis, aims to limit the regulatory authority of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) regarding certain farm activities. Specifically, the bill prohibits TDEC from regulating activities such as topsoil removal, rock extraction, or pond construction on properties smaller than three acres that are classified as green belt. The committee voted in favor of the bill with a tally of 12 ayes, 1 nay, and 1 present not voting.

The second bill, House Bill 175, presented by Representative Darby, seeks to allow the use of drones for the recovery of wounded deer on private land. This legislation clarifies that while current laws prohibit the use of drones for hunting or tracking game, property owners will be permitted to use drones solely for the purpose of recovering deer that have been injured during lawful hunting activities. The committee unanimously approved this bill, with all 15 members voting in favor.

Both bills reflect ongoing discussions about agricultural practices and wildlife management in Tennessee, addressing the balance between regulation and the needs of landowners and hunters. The next steps for these bills will involve further scrutiny in the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, where their financial implications will be assessed.