After some joking, the Senate approved 32-0 and sent to the House Monday a bill authorizing designated Roane County officials to accompany Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers on their inspection trips to a facility housing tigers, lions, cougars and other large members of the cat family.
SB1192 authorizes the Roane County executive or someone he designates with the county sheriff’s office or the county emergency management agency to join TWRA inspectors in their visits to the Tiger Haven.. TWRA is responsible for overseeing operations of facilities holding exotic animals.
Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, asked sponsor Sen. Ken Yager, R-Harriman, what could be done after the bill passes that could not already be done under current law. Yager’s response was to repeat his explanation of the bill, then add that the bill is “a result of two years of discussion.”
Similar legislation was proposed last year and failed. Yager earlier told a committee that the intent is to address community concerns over operation of the Tiger Haven without interfering with its operations.
The bill inspired joshing during the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee meeting, including Sen. Mike Faulk, R-Kingsport, offering an amendment to declare, “Bengal tigers that are kept or maintained in Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, Roane and Scott counties shall be allowed to run at large.” The listed counties comprise Yager’s Senate district.
“What is this?” asked Yager when Faulk offered his joke amendment, which was never put to a vote.
When the bill itself was put to a vote in committee, Sen. Jack Johnson, R-College Grove, said he wanted his ‘aye’ vote recorded as “aye of the Tiger.” He repeated the request when the bill came to the Senate floor, prompting Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey’s one-word reply: “No.”