TennesseeState officials may spend extra money on Ocoee River projects
Starting July 1, 2026, state officials may spend extra Ocoee River fund money on more purposes, while permit caps and a board seat are set out.
What it does
The commissioner and board may use extra fund money for improvements and tourism that benefit the Ocoee River area, including community events and events run by nonprofit groups.
People who held permits on June 30, 2024, may transfer them with written approval. Starting July 1, 2026, the department may issue no more than 24 permits, with the cap falling to 12 as permits are revoked or not renewed.
The state parks division director serves in the board seat assigned to the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park manager, first completing the manager’s remaining term.
Argument forExtra fund money could support local events and tourism that benefit the Ocoee River area, including events run by nonprofit groups.
Argument againstThe lower permit cap could leave fewer permits available for people seeking one as current permits are revoked or not renewed.
More detail
The commissioner and board may spend extra development fund money on listed purposes. The money may support infrastructure upgrades in the Ocoee River management zone, tourism and economic development that benefit that zone, and reasonable expenses needed to carry out the chapter’s purpose. There must be enough money beyond what is needed for purposes already listed in subsection (d). The board must approve infrastructure upgrades and other reasonable expenses by a simple majority vote. This law takes effect July 1, 2026.
The department may approve transfers of certain permits and must limit how many permits it issues under this section. The transfer rule covers people who held a permit on June 30, 2024. The permit limits apply to permits issued under this section. A transfer requires the commissioner’s prior written approval and may be made to immediate family, under a purchase and sale agreement, or as department rules authorize. Immediate family means a spouse, child, stepchild, brother, sister, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, parent, or grandparent. The 24-permit cap applies on and after July 1, 2026. After that date, the department must lower the cap to 12 as permits are revoked or not renewed.
The state parks division director serves on the board in the seat assigned to the park manager. The director completes the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park manager’s remaining term and then serves in that board position. The director begins the remaining term on July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 981Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
- May 19Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 22Concurred, Ayes 32, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0625)Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0625)Major
- Apr 21Passed H., as am., Ayes 87, Nays 0, PNV 1Passed House
- Apr 21Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
- Apr 20Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 12Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 9Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/9/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Mar 9Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 6Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/9/2026
- Mar 4Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/4/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
- Feb 5Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources CommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionMinor
- Feb 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationIntroduced
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