NASHVILLE — A bill to allow Tennesseans to keep skunks as pets has won initial approval in committees of both the House and Senate with the sponsors contending it will provide a moneymaking opportunity for breeders of domesticated and de-scented animals.

The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee approved the bill — SB1821 — in less than two minutes on a 7-1 vote without discussion beyond a brief explanation by Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, the Senate sponsor, who said 17 other states already allow skunks to be kept as domestic pets and sold, including the border states of Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia. The bill is scheduled for a Senate floor vote this week.

The discussion was somewhat more lively in the House Agriculture Subcommittee, where the companion bill was approved on voice vote with Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Boliver, asking to be recorded as voting no after questioning sponsor Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, at some length.

Faison said the bill was requested by constituents and, when initially approached, “I thought it was a joke.” But on looking into the matter, Faison said that skunks can be sold as pets for up to $1,000 each and there could be “tons of revenue” for those eager to engage in skunk marketing.  FULL STORY HERE