Multiple CSF Priorities Advance in Tennessee

Why It Matters: Whether it’s the funding of conservation today or enabling the next generation of sporting license buyers, there are bills moving through the Tennessee General Assembly that would benefit the sporting-conservation community both short and long-term. Hunters and anglers generate the vast majority of state-level conservation funding through the “user pays – public benefits” structure that is the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). However, as costs increase due to inflation and license fees remain relatively stagnant, alternative funding measures may need to be considered. Additionally, teaching our time-honored traditions to students at a young age would prove beneficial to conservation funding and today’s youth alike.  

Highlights:  

• Tennessee Senate Bill 2369 (SB 2369) and House Bill 2588 (HB 2588), sponsored by Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) Co-Chairs Senator Paul Rose and Representative Chris Todd, would allow schools to offer students in grades 5–12 a hunter education course as part of the student’s physical education, health, or safety instruction curriculum. 

• Last week, both SB 2369 and HB 2588 passed their respective committees and are now with the respective calendar and rules committee in each chamber. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) spearheaded a coalition letter of support which aligned 16 other sporting-conservation organizations in support of the effort.  

• Tennessee Senate Bill 2183 (SB 2183) and House Bill 2138 (HB 2138), sponsored by Caucus members Senator John Stevens and Representative Pat Marsh, would allocate 10% of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) payments in lieu of taxes paid to the state to the wildlife resources fund.  

• Last week, SB 2183 passed the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee and HB 2138 passed the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee.. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation submitted written testimony in support of both pieces of legislation.  

As final committee calendars approach, several of CSF’s priorities are advancing through the Tennessee General Assembly. First, HB 2588/SB 2369, CSF’s hunter education in schools policy priority, cleared its respective House and Senate Committees last week. This legislation would give school districts the option to offer a hunter education course for students in grades 5 – 12. The course would be approved by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and would satisfy the mandatory hunter education requirement needed to hunt in Tennessee while simultaneously allowing students to receive school credit. 

Next, SB 2183/HB 2138 would provide a much-needed dedicated stream of conservation funding for the TWRA. This pair of bills would lessen the load on hunters and anglers who have been, and will continue to be, the primary funders of conservation through their purchase of sporting licenses and matching federal funds. The proposal would allocate 10% of the TVA’s payments in lieu of taxes to the wildlife resources fund. It is important to note that this would not increase taxes, license fees, or utility rates for TVA customers.  

Both proposals outlined above would benefit all Tennesseans, the state’s booming outdoor economy, and our time-honored traditions for generations to come. CSF looks forward to working with the Caucus and its many partners as both measures continue through the legislative process. 

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