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Bill to boost Ocoee River recreation, add state parks director to board advances
Summary
Representative Howell described HB 24 25 to strengthen the Ocoee River Recreation and Economic Development Board, add the state parks director, and reduce permit counts over time; the committee advanced the bill to Finance after sponsor remarks about the river’s $50 million annual economic impact.
Representative Howell told the committee HB 24 25 aims to improve operations, management and promotion of the Ocoee River white-water recreation industry and to add the Tennessee State Parks director to the board that oversees the river’s promotion. Howell said the river supports roughly "$50,000,000" in economic impact annually and the bill would permit the board to market the region and more effectively coordinate events and safety.
The sponsor said the board’s funds—generated by outfitters’ per-head fees—are limited by statute in how they can be used, and the amendment adopted at committee would expand permissible activities such as festival promotion and advertising. Howell also said the bill seeks to reduce permit numbers over time to improve safety and sustain the river. The committee voted 14–0 to move the amended bill to Finance.
