Committee advances bill to require boat titles in Tennessee to address theft and abandoned vessels

The House Transportation Committee voted to advance HB1754, a measure to require titles for boats in Tennessee beginning July 1, 2027, with existing boat owners given up to three years to obtain a title. Chairman Howe, the bill sponsor, said the change is intended to create a paper trail that will help law enforcement, lenders and insurers locate owners and reduce the problem of abandoned vessels.

"Tennessee is in the top 10 states for boat theft and boat fraud," Chairman Howe said, describing about 80 stolen boats abandoned in his district in 2025. He told the committee the proposed title would list ownership, vessel identification and any lienholders.

Tory Grimes, general counsel for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, told the committee the bill does not include an insurance requirement. "The bill language itself does not have an insurance requirement," Grimes said, but added that establishing lienholders could lead lenders to require insurance.

Committee members asked about consumer cost and whether titling would replace or add to existing registration fees. Chairman Howe said the titling fee would be a one‑time cost similar to vehicle titles and would not replace annual registration fees managed by TWRA. Representative Todd and others sought clarification on whether the measure would raise ongoing costs for owners; sponsors described the titling fee as a one‑time consumer cost and said registration requirements remain with TWRA.

After discussing two amendments (one technical and one initially filed late), the committee voted 16–1, with one present‑not‑voting, to pass HB1754 to the Finance Committee for further consideration.