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Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency pauses proposed license and fee changes after committee concerns
Summary
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency presented three related rule changes — moving a $10 boater-exam fee from statute to rule, a CPI-based boat registration adjustment and a broad package of license and permit increases — and withdrew the largest package after committee concern.
The joint Government Operations Committee considered three rule packages from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA): moving the $10 boater safety exam certificate fee from statute to rule, an across-the-board boat registration fee increase tied to a 22% consumer price index (CPI) adjustment, and a broader proposal raising many license and permit fees to address a budget shortfall.
Blair Beatty, TWRA legislative director, told the committee the move of the $10 boater safety exam certificate fee "is not being adjusted" and was made to comply with Public Chapter 214, which allows online boater education exams. The committee approved that change with positive recommendations in both chambers.
On the boat registration rule (item 4), TWRA said registration fees were being increased across the board to account for a 22% CPI rise since 2019. For example, the agency said a boat over 16 feet but under 26 feet would increase from $29 to $35 for a one-year registration. After questions about fee justification and whether…
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