Boats, Boating

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and is no longer being considered.

Boat Permit Requirement for Exempt Vessels

This bill requires owners of certain exempt vessels to buy a $72 permit before operating them in Tennessee's intrastate waters and directs all revenue from these permits into the boating safety fund.

What This Bill Does

• Requires boat owners with federally numbered boats from other states to purchase a $72 permit before using their boats on Tennessee’s intrastate waters.
• Deposits money collected from these permits into the state's Boating Safety Fund.

Who It Names or Affects

• Owners of boats that are exempt from Tennessee’s numbering requirement because they have a number issued by another state under a federally approved system.
• The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) which will manage the permit process and fund allocation.

Terms To Know

Exempt vessel

A boat that does not need to be numbered in Tennessee because it has a number from another state under a federally approved system.

Intrastate waters

Waters within the borders of Tennessee, excluding international or interstate waterways.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass and is no longer being considered.
• It does not specify what happens if someone operates an exempt vessel without a permit.

Official Summary Text

Subject to certain exceptions, present law prohibits the
operat
ion
of a
motorized or sail powered
vessel on the waters of Tennessee unless th
e vessel is numbered
. In order to obtain a number, the vessel's owner must apply to TWRA and pay a fee. One of the exceptions to the numbering requirement is for vessels that have been issued a number by another state.

This bill requires a person buy a
$72.00 permit before operating a
vessel that is exempt from being numbered for identification in this state due only to the vessel having a valid number awarded to it pursuant to a federally approved numbering system of another state
on the intrastate wat
ers of Tennessee. A
ll revenue realized from the sale of the exempt vessel permit must be deposited in the boating safety fund and must be expended solely for the administration and operation of the
fish and wildlife
commission's programs and responsibilit
ies
concerning boating safety
.

This bill takes effect upon becoming a law for rulemaking purposes and
January 1, 2026,
for all other purposes.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 759
By Yager

HOUSE BILL 771
By Powers

HB0771
002759
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 69,
Chapter 9, relative to boating permits for exempt
vessels.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 69-9-206, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:
(c)
(1) As used in this subsection (c), "exempt vessel" means a vessel that is
exempt from being numbered for identification in this state due only to the vessel
having a valid number awarded to it pursuant to a federally approved numbering
system of another state pursuant to subdivision (a)(2).
(2) A person shall not operate or give permission for the operation of an
exempt vessel on the intrastate waters of this state without first purchasing a
permit for the exempt vessel for use upon such waters within this state.
(3) The initial fee for the permit is seventy-two dollars ($72.00) and the
permit may be made available for sale through the same means as other
licenses administered by the agency. The fee for the exempt vessel permit must
be made on an annual basis beginning on the date the permit is issued.
(4) All revenue realized from the sale of the exempt vessel permit must
be deposited in the boating safety fund and must be expended solely for the
administration and operation of the commission's programs and responsibilities
under this chapter.

- 2 - 002759

(5) Agents for the issuance and sale of an exempt vessel permit are
authorized pursuant to § 70-2-106.
(6) The fish and wildlife commission is authorized to promulgate rules to
effectuate this subsection (c) in accordance with the Uniform Administrative
Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, including rules that are necessary
for the design, cost, duration, issuance, administration, and sale of the exempt
vessel permit. The commission may further adjust the permit fee in accordance
with this chapter.
SECTION 2. For the purpose of promulgating rules, this act takes effect upon becoming
a law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, this act takes effect January 1,
2026, the public welfare requiring it.