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HB1754 • 2026

Boats, Boating

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 55 and Title 69, relative to vessels.

Taxes
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Howell, Hatcher
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not specify that the Department of Transportation is required to work with the Department of Revenue, only that they are urged to do so in consultation. The exact nature and extent of their collaboration is unclear from the provided information.

Boat Trailers Study Act

This bill urges Tennessee's Department of Transportation to study the impact on transportation infrastructure if personal boat trailers must be registered in the state and report findings by January 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

  • Urges the Department of Transportation to study the potential impact on transportation infrastructure needs if personal boat trailers used for transporting boats are required to be registered in Tennessee.
  • Requires the Department of Transportation to report its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027, if such a study is conducted.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Transportation
  • The Department of Revenue

Terms To Know

Personal trailers
Trailers used to transport boats that belong to individuals, not businesses.
Registration
A process where a vehicle or trailer is officially recorded with the state government.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what will happen after the report is submitted.
  • It's unclear if the study will be conducted and reported on time.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Amendment 1-0 to HB1754

Plain English: The amendment adds new sections to Tennessee law that establish a Certificate of Title system for vessels used on state waters, starting in 2027.

  • Adds definitions and provisions for a new 'Tennessee Certificate of Title for Vessels Act' which will require owners of certain vessels to obtain certificates of title beginning July 1, 2027.
  • Specifies that all vessels registered before July 1, 2027 must be titled by July 1, 2030.
  • The full text is truncated and may contain additional details not covered here.
  • Specific implementation details such as fees and processes are not provided in the given amendment text.
Amendment 2-0 to HB1754

Plain English: The amendment changes how certificates of title for boats are handled when there are security interests involved, specifying who gets the certificate and under what conditions.

  • If no security interest is shown on a boat's title, it must be given to the owner. If there is a security interest, the title goes to the secured party until the interest is released or discharged.
  • The amendment sets deadlines for delivering the title when security interests are discharged and requires notification to an agency within 30 days of discharge or release.
  • It also changes penalties for failing to properly handle the discharge or release of a security interest on a boat's title.
  • The amendment text is complex, making it hard to explain all details without additional context.
Amendment 1-0 to SB1808

Plain English: The amendment adds new sections to Tennessee law that establish requirements for titling vessels used on state waters starting in 2027.

  • Adds a new part to Title 69 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, titled 'Tennessee Certificate of Title for Vessels Act'.
  • Defines key terms such as 'certificate of title', 'vessel', and 'owner' that will be used in the act.
  • Requires owners of vessels principally used on state waters to apply for a certificate of title starting July 1, 2027.
  • The full text is truncated and does not provide all details about how applications are processed or fees involved.
  • It's unclear what specific penalties or enforcement mechanisms will be in place if owners do not comply with the titling requirements.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026

  2. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed behind the budget

  3. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/1/2026

  4. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

  5. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  6. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Transportation Committee for 3/24/2026

  7. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Transportation Committee to 3/24/2026

  8. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Transportation Committee for 3/17/2026

  9. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0

  10. 2026-03-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Transportation Committee

  11. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 3/10/2026

  12. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/11/2026

  13. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Transportation and Safety Committee to 3/11/2026

  14. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/4/2026

  15. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee

  16. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee

  17. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee

  18. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  19. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  20. 2026-01-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  21. 2026-01-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1808
By Hatcher

HOUSE BILL 1754
By Howell
HB1754
010967
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10,
Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 55 and Title 69, relative to
vessels.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. The department of transportation, in consultation with the department of
revenue, is urged to study the potential impact on transportation infrastructure needs of
requiring personal trailers used for the transportation of boats to be registered in this state. If
such study is conducted, on or before January 1, 2027, the department of transportation shall
report findings and recommendations to the chairs of the transportation and safety committee of
the senate and the committee in the house of representatives having jurisdiction over
transportation.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.