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TWRA director warns of cuts after recurring‑funding bill stalls; $10M one‑time appropriation advances
Summary
TWRA Director reported a $10 million one‑time appropriation has cleared fiscal committees but the agency's sought recurring funding (the "TVA" bill) was taken off notice in the House, forcing agency leaders to begin contingency planning for service and staff reductions, and to present a public budget in August.
Director Maxedon told the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission the governor included a $10 million one‑time appropriation for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and that item has passed through the Senate and the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee and now heads to the floor for a vote.
He said the more consequential development was that a separate bill sought to create dedicated recurring funding for the agency—the item many commissioners and staff had labored on—was taken off notice in the Tennessee House and is unlikely to pass this year. "This is disappointing," the director said, adding that without recurring funding the agency will have to consider cuts to services for the hunting public and reductions in agency positions.
Maxedon thanked commissioners, staff and partners—including the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and the University of Tennessee—who supported the funding effort, and said the agency is already preparing next steps. He told the commission staff are working with commission leadership and budget chairs and that a proposed agency budget will be presented to the public in August.
Budget Chief Ken Tarkington later reported that license income through February was roughly $477,000 below projections and boating registration income about $40,000 under projection, attributing some shortfalls to weather and ice events. Tarkington presented fund balances, including approximately $15.1 million in the wetlands acquisition fund, and said expenses year‑to‑date are running within expected allotments.
The director emphasized the agency will notify staff and partners and said "we will adjust and we will plan wisely over the next several months." The commission directed staff to continue contingency planning and bring options for public review as the fiscal picture becomes clearer.
