Committee backs permit for out-of-state boats, funds to TWRA boating safety

Senator Yeager presented Senate Bill 7-59, a measure originating in the House and carried in the Senate requiring boats registered in other states that use Tennessee public waters to obtain a state permit and pay an annual fee to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

Yeager said the measure addresses an inequity where out‑of‑state boaters use Tennessee lakes without paying the same user fees as Tennessee registrants; the sponsor cited an annual permit fee of $72 that would be charged to out‑of‑state boats and dedicated to TWRA boating safety enforcement.

Senator Seal, who represents a district that includes part of Norris Lake, described personal experience with fatal boating crashes involving out‑of‑state operators and voiced support for additional funding for patrols and enforcement. Vice Chair Lowe framed the proposal as a user-fee approach: "it's the users that fund the protection of these resources," he said, contrasting user fees with general taxation for road infrastructure.

Action: Yeager moved the bill; the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Lowe. The clerk recorded a roll-call vote with the committee reporting nine ayes and no nays; the committee referred SB 7-59 to the Finance Committee.

What the bill does: requires a permit for boats that are validly numbered in another state but not required to be numbered in Tennessee; collected fees are dedicated to TWRA boating safety. Supporters said money will improve TWRA's ability to patrol lakes and promote public safety; no amendments were adopted in committee.

Votes and next steps: Approved by the committee and referred to Finance.