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TWRA wins $2 million FY26 spending-authority increase; commission adopts emergency boating‑education rule
Summary
The Tennessee Wildlife Commission authorized $2 million additional FY26 spending authority for TWRA capital projects and delayed maintenance, and adopted an emergency rule changing boating education certification procedures to remove the proctor requirement and preserve a $10 exam-permit fee via rule.
Two administrative items moved through the Tennessee Wildlife Commission on Thursday: an FY26 budget spending-authority increase and an emergency boating-education rule.
Budget increase - TWRA requested and the commission approved expanding the FY26 budget by $2,000,000 to provide spending authority for capital projects starting July 1. The motion passed by voice vote.
Emergency boating‑education rule - The commission adopted an emergency rule amending 1660‑02‑12 (boating education certification) to reflect a recent statutory change that removed the requirement that examinations be proctored. TWRA also proposed placing a $10 boating-safety exam permit fee into rule (and a $5 replacement certification card fee) so the agency could continue to collect the fee; the legislature had removed the fee and the agency used rulemaking to restore it pending a permanent rulemaking process. - Deputy Director Fiske and counsel explained the change is limited to motorized vessel certification (not paddlecraft) and that a permanent rulemaking process with public hearing will follow the emergency action. The commission conducted a roll-call vote on the emergency rule; commissioners recorded unanimous support in the roll-call as read by the chair.
Why it matters: The budget increase provides TWRA with near-term capital spending authority; the emergency rule preserves fee collection and updates exam administration to match legislative changes so that boating education certification can continue without interruption for motorized vessel operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1989.
