NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency withdrew an increase that would have affected hunting and fishing licenses starting July 1.

In a December meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, a hunting and fishing license fee increase was approved for several hunting and fishing licenses. However on Saturday, the TWRA announced that Executive Director Jason Maxedon decided to withdraw the license increase after hearing commitments from the Joint Government Operations Committee earlier this week to seek alternative funding for wildlife conservation in the state.

According to the December TFWC meeting, more than 70% of the operating budget comes from the sale of licenses and federal grants based on the number of licensed hunters within the state. With inflation putting the agency in a "significant operational deficit" at the time, the proposed increases were meant to help address that deficit.

At Wednesday's Joint Government Operations Committee, though, several members had concerns about placing additional financial burdens on their constituents and verbally committed to working with the TWRA to find long-term funding sources. Several offered to carry legislation on the issue.

"We've got to pledge to get in there and actually come up with the correct solution that comes from the almost $60 billion budget we have that we can help fund those things that are critical to who we are as Tennessee," Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) said.

The TWRA said there had already been some cuts to agency operations to reduce expenses, including holding more than 20 staff positions vacant and reducing the print and distribution of some agency publications.

Current hunting and fishing license fees will continue to be in effect and there will be no increase. However, a separate rule to increase the price of boat registration did pass, though, and will take effect July 1.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/twra-withdraws-hunting-fishing-license-fee-increase/