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HB 1786

Boats, Boating - As enacted, creates the Class C misdemeanor offense of mooring a recreational vessel for more than 14 consecutive days at any one place along the water's edge of a reservoir or at any place within one mile of the water's edge; makes other related revisions. - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 9.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mary Littleton

Tennessee HB 1786 makes mooring recreational vessels longer than 14 consecutive days near reservoirs a Class C misdemeanor, restricting long-term boat residency and waterway use.

Comp. SB subst.
#boating #boats
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Bill Summary · HB 1786

Legislative bill overview

HB 1786 would establish a Class C misdemeanor offense for mooring a recreational vessel for more than 14 consecutive days at a single location along a reservoir's water's edge or within one mile of it in Tennessee. The bill amends state boating and waterway regulations under Title 69, Chapter 9.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects recreational boaters and liveaboard vessel operators by restricting how long boats can remain stationary in one location on or near reservoirs. The enforcement of residency limits on waterways has implications for both property rights and water resource management, potentially impacting individuals who use boats as primary residences or maintain vessels long-term.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "mooring" and enforcement: The bill's specificity about what constitutes illegal mooring and how authorities would monitor compliance remains unclear, creating potential enforcement inconsistencies.
  • Impact on liveaboard communities: Restricting vessel residency to 14 days could displace individuals living aboard boats as a primary residence without addressing alternative housing or transition provisions.
  • Recreational access vs. resource management: The policy prioritizes waterway turnover but doesn't explicitly explain the underlying rationale—whether it's environmental protection, property access preservation, or other reservoir management concerns.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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