Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approves FY27 budget after hearing finance options

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's fiscal year 2027 budget by voice vote on Aug. 22, 2025, after agency staff described spending reductions taken after a proposed license-fee increase failed in the General Assembly.

The vote came after Frank (last name not specified), deputy director of budget, summarized the condensed FY27 budget and took questions from commissioners. Director Maxedon told commissioners the agency had “taken a hard look at our operations” and tightened spending after the General Assembly did not approve the proposed license-fee increase.

The commission's approval keeps agency programs running while the agency pursues other revenue options. Director Maxedon said the budget “addresses current funding concerns, maintaining strong programs, and keeps us ready to grow when additional funding becomes available.” The director also thanked staff who prepared the budget.

Commissioners pressed staff on additional sources of funding. Commissioner Box asked about earnings from existing bond accounts and whether earnings could be redirected into agency budgets. Frank said earnings were “periodically reinvested in the same bonds” but that the commission could request that the state treasurer change that practice. Frank said he would prepare an overview of bond-market options and present pros and cons, including the possibility of reallocating earnings or other actions.

Commissioner Box and others asked staff to work with general counsel and the treasurer's office to outline steps and statutory constraints for changing how bond proceeds are used. Frank and agency counsel said they would report back; agency counsel noted constitutional and statutory limits that constrain investments outside prescribed vehicles and said staff would provide the history of prior efforts to revisit investment approaches.

The commission approved the budget by voice vote. The motion and second were made on the floor; commissioners recorded the outcome as "Aye" and the chair declared the budget approved. The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the public portion of the transcript.

The agency said it pursued a license-fee increase earlier in the year and that, absent that change, staff reviewed operations to reduce spending and minimize customer impacts. Director Maxedon told the commission the agency continues to work with the governor's office and the General Assembly to explore alternate funding options and ways to increase license sales.

The commission directed staff to return with the bond-earnings/options analysis for consideration at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance: FY27 budget — motion approved by voice vote; tally not specified.