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SB 2173

Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - As introduced, requires the executive director of the Tennessee wildlife resources agency to post a list of areas within the state that allow the use of off-highway motor vehicles, including the acreage of the area and the estimated length of the trails, on the commission's website. - Amends TCA Title 70, Chapter 9.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Ken Yager

Tennessee requires its wildlife agency to publicly list all off-highway vehicle areas with acreage and trail lengths to improve recreational access transparency and compliance.

Enrolled and ready for signatures
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Bill Summary · SB 2173

Legislative bill overview

SB 2173 requires Tennessee's wildlife resources agency to maintain and publish a publicly accessible website listing all state areas where off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) are permitted, including specific acreage and estimated trail lengths. This is a transparency and information-access mandate rather than a substantive policy change regarding where OHVs can or cannot operate.

Why is this important

Currently, this information may be scattered across agency documents, regional offices, or unavailable to the public in consolidated form. Centralizing this data helps recreational users plan trips legally, reduces accidental trespassing on restricted lands, and improves agency accountability by making OHV regulations visible and enforceable. It also supports tourism and outdoor recreation industries that depend on knowing available access.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden and cost: The agency must invest staff time and resources to compile, verify, and maintain accurate acreage and trail-length data across potentially dozens of dispersed areas statewide
  • Liability concerns: Publishing specific trail information could expose the state to claims if users are injured, encounter unmaintained conditions, or rely on outdated posted information
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify how frequently data must be updated, what constitutes an "area," or whether private lands allowing OHV use should be included, creating potential compliance disputes

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

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