WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1038

Game and Fish Laws - As enacted, increases the fee that county clerks and other agents are authorized to collect from purchases of hunting and fishing licenses from $1.00 to $3.00 for annual licenses and $.50 to $3.00 for temporary licenses. - Amends TCA Section 70-2-106.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Janice Bowling

Tennessee bill increases hunting/fishing license processing fees from $1-$0.50 to $3 each, raising costs for hunters and anglers while boosting county clerk revenues.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 349
#gameandfishlaws
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1038

Legislative bill overview

SB 1038 increases the administrative fees that county clerks and authorized agents can collect when selling hunting and fishing licenses in Tennessee. The fee increases from $1.00 to $3.00 for annual licenses and from $0.50 to $3.00 for temporary licenses.

Why is this important

These fees fund the operational costs of county clerk offices and other agents who process license sales at the local level. The increase directly raises the out-of-pocket costs for hunters and anglers, affecting participation rates and state revenue distribution between licensing authorities and processing agents.

Potential points of contention

  • Consumer cost impact: Hunters and anglers will pay higher total fees when purchasing licenses, which may discourage participation in these activities, particularly among lower-income individuals
  • Fee justification: The reasoning for the specific fee increases ($3.00 for annual, $3.00 for temporary) and whether they reflect actual administrative costs versus revenue generation is unclear
  • Revenue distribution: It's uncertain how increased fees affect the split between state game and fish funding versus local clerk office compensation, and whether this represents an appropriate burden-shift to license purchasers

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

Sign in to ask a question.