H.B. 1155

WHAT? A bill has been introduced before the Tennessee General Assembly to allow the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to charge sportsman's license holders to apply for elk quota permits.

NOTABLES: The bill is numbered H.B. 1155 in the House, and S.B. 0419 in the Senate. It is sponsored by Rep. Frank Buck (D — Dowelltown) in the House and Sen. Doug Jackson (D — Dickson) in the Senate . . . The bill: "Game and Fish Laws - Authorizes the Wildlife Resources Commission to charge persons holding a sportsman license a non-refundable fee for draw elk-take permits and other permits designated by the commission as special hunt permits. - Amends TCA Section 70-2-201(e)."

THE PROBLEM? The problem lies with the portion of the bill which reads, ". . . and other permits designated by the commission as special hunt permits." It's a broad language that could open the door in the future for the TWRC to charge sportsman's license holders to apply for deer or turkey quota hunts.

OUR POSITION: The entire purpose of the limited elk hunt, which is being planned for fall 2008, is to raise funds for the elk program. As such, we support charging all applicants, regardless of license type, an application fee. However, we fear the wording of the bill could cause problems for sportsman's license holders in the future. The intentions of TWRA are probably noble, and intentions of the current TWRC may well be also. But there's no guarantee that future commission members could have different intentions, ultimately leading to sportsman's license holders being charged for deer or turkey quota hunt applications. We would support a bill with different wording that did not include the "other special hunt" specification.

ACTION? Sign this petition, which was put into circulation by TnDeer.Com. Also, click here to contact your state senator, or here to contact your state representative.

THE LATEST: In the House, the bill has passed second consideration and currently rests in the House Conservation Committee, where it was referred on February 14. In the Senate, the bill has passed second consideration and currently rests in the Senate Economy, Commerce and Tourism Committee, where it was referred on February 8.