2025 TWRA Legislative Round Up
On Tuesday, April 22, the 2025 session of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned. During this session, the General Assembly enacted several laws impacting the agency including those related to baiting, drone recovery of deer, online boater education, and several other topics.
The agency compiled the information below to support the public in understanding the laws enacted this year, including when each law takes effect and any other relevant information.
Agency Legislation
Public Chapter No. 141: Authorizes the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC) to provide naming rights of infrastructure under agency jurisdiction to businesses or individuals in exchange for compensation. Effective July 1.
Public Chapter No. 203: Removes outdated references to “firing” ranges and changes to “shooting” ranges to allow more consistent marketing of agency ranges. Effective July 1.
Public Chapter No. 206: Establishes fluorescent pink (blaze pink) as an optional hunter safety color. Blaze orange is still allowed. Effective July 1.
Public Chapter No. 478: Provides that the TFWC may promulgate rules to allow the use of drones solely for the recovery of wounded deer. Specifies that the drones may only be used on private property. Drone use is not allowed until rules are promulgated.
Licensing Legislation
Public Chapter No. 444: Establishes a “deer bait privilege license” for use on private land only; sets the fee at $50 for resident/$100 non-resident; specifies that there are no exemptions from obtaining a permit if an individual seeks to hunt over bait, including landowners who are exempt from obtaining a hunting license. The legislation maintains the agency’s authority to close certain areas to baiting for disease management purposes (CWD for example). Directs the TFWC to promulgate rules regarding the license by August 1, 2026. License not available until 2026-2027 hunting season. Until that time, baiting for all species is illegal (except baiting authorized under a wild hog depredation permit).
Public Chapter No. 443: Directs the TFWC to promulgate rules establishing a waterfowl guide license specific to Reelfoot Lake. License not available until rules are promulgated.
Fees Legislation
Public Chapter No. 57: Adjusts the fee for a sportsman lifetime license for adopted children under the age of 13 to be the same as the fee for children ages 0-3. Effective now. The bill removed the time limit on how long adopted children qualify for the infant rate.
Public Chapter No. 216: Establishes a temporary group hunting license (7 days) for disabled veterans participating in a hunting event hosted by a non-profit organization. Effective July 1. Allows for rules to be promulgated by TFWC. The agency will put out more details once the process for obtaining the license is established.
Public Chapter No. 214: Authorizes online, non-proctored boater education exams; authorizes the TFWC to promulgate exam fee and fee for replacement card via rule; caps both fees at $15.00. Effective now. Information related to the online exam is readily available on the agency’s website here. Additionally, in person boater education is still an available option for Tennesseans and visitors.
TFWC Legislation
Public Chapter No. 524: Changes the term start and end dates for the TFWC commission appointments from March 1 and February 28 to July 1 and June 30, respectively. Effective July 1.
Misc. Legislation
Public Chapter No. 407: Updates the criminal classification for hunting on the land of another without permission from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor; increases the maximum fine a judge may impose for the violation from $50.00 to $500.00. Effective July 1.
Public Chapter No. 437: Establishes categories of wetlands (artificial isolated, isolated, low, moderate); reduces permitting and mitigation requirements for certain categories; prohibits the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation from considering cumulative impacts to wetlands in their permitting process. Effective July 1.
Confirmation of Appointment to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission
TFWC commissioners are non-salaried members of the public who serve as the governing body of the TWRA. Members are appointed by the governor, speaker of the house, and speaker of the senate. There are 13 seats total, with staggered appointment dates to ensure continuity of leadership. This year, five vacancies were filled with new appointments (listed below). Commissioners are expected to be knowledgeable about hunting, fishing, boating, and/or other outdoor recreation activities.
Rosemary McIlhenny – appointed by Governor Bill Lee
Hanes Torbett – appointed by Governor Bill Lee
John McCarty – appointed by Governor Bill Lee
Steve Jones – appointed by Randy McNally, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the Senate
Steven Johnson – appointed by Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the House of Representatives