AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11 and Title 70, relative to nonresidents.
Impact
The passage of SB0828 will have implications for the revenues collected from nonresidents engaging in hunting and fishing activities in Tennessee. The enhancement of fees will likely lead to increased revenue for the state, which could be allocated for wildlife management, conservation efforts, and related programs. However, the bill also stresses compliance with federal laws, ensuring that any adjustments made do not violate established regulations regarding interstate relations.
Summary
Senate Bill 828 (SB0828) proposes an amendment to the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the fees charged to nonresidents for hunting, fishing, and trapping within the state. It specifically targets fees imposed by contiguous states that differ from those charged to Tennessee residents. The legislation mandates that if a neighboring state imposes a higher fee on Tennessee residents for the same outdoor privileges, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission is required to increase the fees applicable to nonresidents from that neighboring state to match or exceed those higher fees. The intent is to create equitable fee structures across state lines and discourage skewed pricing that favors out-of-state residents.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SB0828 include concerns about the fairness of imposing such fees on nonresidents, particularly where it might dissuade tourism and recreation from out-of-state visitors who contribute economically to local businesses. Stakeholders within the hunting and fishing communities may argue that increasing fees could lead to reduced participation among nonresidents. Additionally, there may be debates about the effectiveness of this approach in achieving the intended balance and whether it might lead to retaliatory fee increases by neighboring states.