Bill > SB2173

This bill, concerning off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in Tennessee, primarily focuses on establishing new permit requirements and fees for operating OHVs within the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Specifically, it mandates that anyone operating an OHV in this area must possess a valid North Cumberland OHV riding permit, a sportsman supplemental annual North Cumberland OHV riding permit, or a North Cumberland OHV guide permit. The bill outlines various fee structures for these permits, differentiating between Tennessee residents and non-residents, and for different permit durations (one-day, three-day, seven-day, and annual). It also clarifies that standard sportsman licenses do not automatically grant OHV riding privileges in the North Cumberland WMA, but holders can purchase a supplemental permit. Furthermore, the bill introduces a North Cumberland OHV guide permit, requiring individuals to obtain this permit if they accept compensation for assisting others with OHV use in the area, with an exception for basic roadside assistance. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is authorized to issue these permits and collect the associated fees, which are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, with the commission having the ability to adjust these fees in the future, provided they remain consistent with existing laws and any increases do not take effect before July 1, 2030.