Hunting, fishing license fees could increase by nearly 30% under TWRA proposal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Hunting and fishing in Tennessee could cost an average of nearly 30% more as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency looks to close a multi-million-dollar deficit caused by sky-high costs and what leaders call “unfunded state mandates.”

The TWRA and its governing body voted to increase license fees to generate 29% more revenue, or around $12 million, which the agency desperately needs to continue operations.

“Funding is a challenge. I think we’ve been talking about this for some time, really for months and really throughout the last couple of years. It’s not going away,” said Jason Maxedon, the executive director of the TWRA.

“The agency has cut a significant amount from their budget that will have real impacts upon the fish and aquatic life of the state. There’s just a point where you have to have more money to be able to provide the same level of service,” added Greg Davenport, chairman of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The TWRA has been vocal about its financial struggles over the past year. Leaders point out that their costs have increased by at least more than 50% since 2016. Meanwhile, their license fees have remained the same for more than a decade. In addition, some members pointed out additional financial stressors caused by the state, including a state-mandated salary increase.

“A lot of our financial challenges are what I like to call unfunded mandates,” said Chip Saltsman, a TWRA member. “That doesn’t mean they’re good or bad. I love paying people more. It’s great. Our people deserve it. But $14 million of this problem is an unfunded mandate from the state, from the payroll point of view.”The TWRA’s license fee increase proposal adjusts nearly all fees to target a 29% increase in revenue. Individual fee increases vary, but most fall within the 27-29% range. For example, the Resident Annual Hunt/Fish Combo license would increase from $33 to $42. However, the Sportsman license fee would increase by only 12%, from $165 to $185.

Davenport told the public that the increase has been a long time coming.

“I understand it’s not popular. No one likes anything to go up, but if you want the same level of service and resource that you have now, and you haven’t had a fee increase since 2015, then something’s got to change,” Davenport expressed.

This is the second time in two years the TWRA has tried to raise license fees. Last June, lawmakers shot down the agency’s fee increase request, promising another revenue stream that never transpired.Now, agency leaders say something has to give.

“This is a very serious matter,” Davenport said. “The commission and the agency are doing everything they can to work with the state legislature to make sure that we are well funded into the future. No one likes a fee increase, but that’s part of the funding that we have to have for this agency to continue to provide the benefits that it does.” The TRWA’s proposal will go before lawmakers in the Joint Government Operations Committee in December. If approved, the increases would go into effect July 1, 2027.

The TWRA has not increased license fees since 2015.