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HB 921

Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - As enacted, authorizes the commission to regulate the operation of sport shooting ranges rather than firing ranges; authorizes the Tennessee wildlife resources agency to establish fees for the use of such ranges in operation prior to July 1, 1998. - Amends TCA Title 70.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Scott Cepicky

Tennessee transfers sport shooting range regulation to state wildlife agency and allows fee collection from ranges operating before 1998.

Pub. Ch. 203
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Bill Summary · HB 921

Legislative bill overview

HB 921 shifts regulatory authority over sport shooting ranges from local control to the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission, and authorizes the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to establish and collect fees from shooting ranges that were operating before July 1, 1998. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 70 and became effective July 1, 2025.

Why is this important

This centralizes shooting range regulation at the state level rather than allowing individual municipalities to set their own rules, which could standardize operational requirements across Tennessee. The fee authority gives TWRA a new revenue stream to fund wildlife and recreational management, though it specifically targets only pre-1998 ranges, creating a grandfather clause situation.

Potential points of contention

  • Fairness concerns: Ranges operating before 1998 must pay fees while newer ranges (post-1998) are exempt, potentially disadvantaging established operators and creating market distortions
  • Local control vs. state authority: Municipalities may view this as state overreach into local land use and noise regulation decisions
  • Fee amount uncertainty: The bill authorizes fee-setting but doesn't specify limits, giving TWRA broad discretion that could burden small range operators unpredictably

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

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