Subcommittee approves bill formalizing North Cumberland OHV permits, locks fees through 2030

The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee on April 20 voted to advance House Bill 2091, a legislative response to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s proposed off‑highway vehicle (OHV) permit fee schedule for the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. The subcommittee adopted amendment 013805 and recorded a final tally of 6 ayes and 0 nos, sending the bill to the full committee.

Chairman Powers (speaker S5), the bill sponsor, summarized the measure as “a legislative solution to TWRA’s proposed OHV riding permit fee schedule,” saying it defines permit privileges, prohibits compensated guiding without a guide permit, and locks rates through 07/01/2030 to give TWRA four years to collect ridership and operational data. The statute language in question (TCA 79‑1‑106 as cited in the hearing) was cited as the basis for restricting how permit proceeds may be allocated.

Lawmakers sought clarity on how much revenue the updated fee schedule would generate and how the money would be spent. Representative Jones (speaker S4) flagged the subcommittee estimate that the change could raise approximately $4,900,000 and pressed whether those funds would remain at North Cumberland. Blair Beatty of TWRA (speaker S2) told the panel that statute requires funds generated by the North Cumberland OHV permit “to be used exclusively for the OHV program at that WMA,” including trail and water‑crossing maintenance.

The bill passed by voice/roll call with the clerk reporting six ayes and no opposition; the subcommittee recessed and the measure will move on to a full committee hearing for further consideration.