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HB1981 • 2026

State Symbols

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

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Grills, Jackson
Last action
2026-03-23
Official status
Sponsor(s) Added.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on who is affected by this bill beyond a general designation.

Designating Lake County as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee

This bill designates Lake County as the 'Eagle Capital of Tennessee' in Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3 of the Tennessee Code Annotated.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds a new section to Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3 of the Tennessee Code Annotated to designate Lake County as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee.

Terms To Know

Eagle Capital of Tennessee
A title given to Lake County by the state, recognizing its significant population of eagles and related tourism.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify any financial support or additional regulations for Lake County.
  • It is unclear what specific benefits this designation will bring to Lake County beyond recognition.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Governor.

  2. 2026-03-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Transmitted to Governor for action.

  3. 2026-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by H. Speaker

  4. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Senate Speaker

  5. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Enrolled and ready for signatures

  6. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  7. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Comp. SB subst.

  8. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed H., Ayes 82, Nays 0, PNV 2

  9. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Subst. for comp. HB.

  10. 2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/23/2026

  11. 2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

  12. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/19/2026

  13. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  14. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  15. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0

  16. 2026-03-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/16/2026

  17. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

  18. 2026-03-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

  19. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/11/2026

  20. 2026-03-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/10/2026

  21. 2026-03-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government Committee

  22. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Naming & Designating Committee for 3/2/2026

  23. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Naming & Designating Committee - State & Local Governent for Review

  24. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  25. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  26. 2026-01-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee

  27. 2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  28. 2026-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1615
By Jackson

HOUSE BILL 1981
By Grills
HB1981
010997
- 1 -

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

WHEREAS, across human history, eagles have been revered as powerful symbols of
strength, freedom, and vision, appearing on the flags, currency, and heraldry of dozens of
nations; and
WHEREAS, eagles play a critical role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems by
regulating populations of prey species and scavenging on carrion; and
WHEREAS, Lake County has become a mecca for eagle enthusiasts, annually holding
the Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival, attracting bird watchers from far and wide; and
WHEREAS, with over ninety eagle nests in the area and thousands of migrating eagles
coming to spend the winter months at Reelfoot Lake and along the Mississippi River in Lake
County, eagles can be seen as they perch in trees along the banks of the lake and river and
soar overhead in search of food; and
WHEREAS, Reelfoot Lake State Park and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge and private
outfitters offer eagle tours during the months of January and February, providing a positive
economic impact for Lake County from the many overnight visitations for eagle watching,
photography, and tours; now, therefore,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
Lake County is designated as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.