A RESOLUTION to confirm the appointment of Steven Emil Johnson to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.

House Joint Resolution 977 (HJR0977) is a legislative measure in Tennessee that seeks to confirm the appointment of Steven Emil Johnson to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. The resolution was introduced by Representative Tim Hicks on February 18, 2026, and referred to the State & Local Government Committee on February 19, 2026. ([wapp.capitol.tn.gov](https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HJR0977&ga=114&utm_source=openai))

TN HJR0977 is a house bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Tim Hicks (R), currently “Introduced” since February 18, 2026.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 27 of them sponsored by Tim Hicks.

While specific media coverage of HJR0977 is not readily available, the appointment of individuals to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission typically garners attention from local news outlets and environmental organizations. Given Steven Emil Johnson's background in commercial development and his commitment to outdoor activities, it is anticipated that his appointment will be viewed positively by stakeholders interested in sustainable wildlife management and conservation efforts. ([app.legiplex.com](https://app.legiplex.com/tn/legislature/2025/2025-r/bills/hjr0977?utm_source=openai))

There is no specific media coverage indicating negative reactions to HJR0977. However, appointments to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission can sometimes face scrutiny from environmental advocacy groups or members of the public who question the appointee's qualifications or commitment to conservation. Without detailed information on Steven Emil Johnson's professional history and public statements, it is challenging to assess potential criticisms or concerns that may arise regarding his appointment.

The bill HJR0977 is a resolution to confirm the appointment of Steven Emil Johnson to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, which primarily deals with public lands and natural resources, particularly forestry. Tim Hicks, the sponsor of the bill, is the owner of Hicks Construction, a general contracting business. However, there are no direct overlaps between Hicks' personal financial interests and the forestry or public lands sectors that would suggest a potential conflict of interest. Hicks Construction operates in the general contracting industry, which does not directly intersect with the regulatory or operational aspects of the Fish and Wildlife Commission's responsibilities.

Additionally, while Hicks has multiple business interests and income sources, none of these appear to be directly impacted by the appointment of Johnson or the activities of the Fish and Wildlife Commission. The lack of direct financial ties to the forestry industry or any specific legislation that would financially benefit Hicks Construction or his other business interests indicates a low risk of conflict. Therefore, the analysis suggests that Hicks' personal financial interests do not pose a significant conflict regarding this bill.

Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.

Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.