April 22, 2025 — The Finance, Ways, and Means subcommittee voted 13-0 to advance House Bill 938 to the full finance committee. The bill would create a bait-privilege license permitting hunters to use bait to hunt white-tailed deer on private property.

Representative Capley, sponsor of the bill, said: "House Bill 9 38 creates a bait privilege license, which would allow hunters to, hunt white tailed deer, while using bait on private property. As many of you know with the recent court cases that have come out, there there's been a lot of individuals that I know personally in across the state that are currently baiting."

The sponsor told members the bill aims to add enforcement mechanisms and education: "The the point behind this is we're we're essentially trying to create some teeth in the law, not only to protect the wildlife from the spread of diseases, but also to, educate our hunters and and let them know that, you know, TWRA is willing to work with them. So this is passed the Senate 27 to 6, I think. And, it makes the state 6 and a half million dollars a year. So I'd appreciate a favorable consideration. I'm ready for questions." The transcript records no committee questions.

Committee leadership noted that the bill would generate revenue and moved to a vote. The clerk reported 13 ayes and 0 nos; the chair announced, "The ayes do have it. House Bill 9 38 moves to full finance." The transcript did not include roll-call votes by name.

The bill text as discussed would permit baiting on private property with a state-issued bait-privilege license; the transcript also references TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) as the agency involved in enforcement and outreach. The sponsor cited a Senate passage of 27-6 and an estimated state revenue increase of approximately $6.5 million per year.