A proposal to allow Tennessee officials to completely ban open fires in the state during extreme fire-hazard conditions is advancing in the Legislature.
The measure sponsored by Rep. Willie Borchert, a Camden Democrat, unanimously passed the House on March 6. The companion bill is scheduled before a Senate committee Tuesday.
The legislation would authorize the commissioner of agriculture to issue the ban. Violators would be charged with reckless burning, a misdemeanor.
Read the full text of HB4119 on the General Assembly’s Web site at: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Wildfire Survivors Could Face Another Blow From Taxes on Settlement Payouts
AI Ruling Prompts Warnings From Lawyers: Your Chats Could Be Used Against You
State Farm Paid a ‘Hail’ of a Lot of Claims in 2025
Three Sentenced in Videoed Bear-Suit Attacks Insurance Fraud Case