03/28/2025
Attention Tennessee Sportsmen! PLEASE read below... these paddle craft people don't even pay for vessel registration... Please email your TN Representative... See Below email from TWF! Just when we thought this subject was done, the paddle craft lobbyist tried it another way. Yet another attempt to restrict fishing around docks and removing the authority to enforce ramps from TWRA Law Enforcement.
What HB1149 (as amended) does:
Prohibits fishing near public access areas, including boat ramps and marinas.
Requires commercial paddlecraft operators to pay a $.42 per boat fee for every boat they launch from TWRA boat ramps.
Prohibits the agency from putting in place reasonable restrictions or requirements on commercial paddlecraft operator's use of boat ramps or parking lots.
Prohibits the agency from imposing restrictions on the hours operation for boat ramps or parking lots.
Why this is bad for sportsmen:
By not allowing the agency to restrict commercial paddlecraft operation's use of boat ramps, this bill will allow these outfitters to monopolize the use of boat ramps without regard for the fishermen and fishing guides who rely on access to these boat ramps.
The bill additionally prohibits fishing near these boat ramps and boat docks - severely limiting access to fishing opportunities.
Finally, by only charging a $.42 per head fee, the bill will require sportsmen to continue to foot the bill for boat ramp and river management through license fees - all while not having equal access to the river.
Here is the list of committee members who need to be contacted:
Ed Butler - [email protected] (bill sponsor)
Chris Todd - [email protected] (Chairman of House Ag)
Greg Martin - [email protected]
Rebecca Alexander - [email protected]
Aftyn Behn - [email protected]
Tandy Darby - [email protected]
Clay Doggett - [email protected]
Monty Fritts - [email protected]
Rusty Grills - [email protected]
Bud Hulsey - [email protected]
Chris Hurt - [email protected]
Justin Jones - [email protected]
Jay Reedy - [email protected]
Johnny Shaw - [email protected]
Tom Stinney - [email protected]
Ron Travis - [email protected]
Greg Vital - [email protected]
