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Committee advances paddlesports pilot after contested testimony over ramp access and fees
Summary
House Bill 1149, which creates a pilot to track paddle-sports sales-tax revenue and a voluntary contribution to maintain boat ramps, passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee amid objections from anglers and conservation groups who said the measure could limit TWRA's ability to manage ramp conflicts.
House Bill 1149, as amended, was advanced by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee after a contentious exchange between commercial paddlesports operators and fishing and conservation advocates over whether the bill would limit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's ability to manage conflicts at boat ramps.
The bill establishes a Department of Revenue pilot to track sales-tax revenue from a defined list of paddlesports items and authorizes a voluntary contribution mechanism by commercial paddlesports operators (described in testimony as an industry offer of $0.42 per put-in) to help the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) maintain and operate public boat ramps. The amendment includes a two-year restriction preventing…
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