Recreational Areas - As enacted, expands the purposes for which monies from the Ocoee River recreation and economic development fund may be expended by the Ocoee River recreation and economic development fund board; repl, the official text

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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 981

          SENATE BILL NO. 2528

By Hatcher, Jackson, Gardenhire

Substituted for: House Bill No. 2425

By Howell, Raper, Alexander, Vital

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 10 and Title 11, Chapter 8,
          relative to the Ocoee River.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 11-8-103(e), is amended by deleting the
subsection and substituting:

(e)(1) Subject to availability of sufficient moneys in the development fund beyond
those needed for expenditures for the purposes stated in subsection (d), the
commissioner and the board may use the development fund for expenditures for the
following purposes:

(A) Infrastructure upgrades to the Ocoee River management zone;

(B)(i) Tourism promotion and economic development activities that
benefit the Ocoee River management zone, including, but not limited
to:

          (a) Hiring persons to coordinate community and outdoor
events on the Ocoee River; and

          (b) Contributing funds to events operated on the Ocoee
River for the benefit of a nonprofit organization, including such
organizations other than those created or established by the
board under§ 11-8-105(a)(3); and

          (C) Other reasonable expenses as determined by the commissioner or
the board to be necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter, including
expenses for professional services, if necessary, to conduct the business of
the board.

          (2) Expenditures made by the board under subdivision (e)(1)(A) or (e)(1)(C)
must be approved by a simple majority vote of the board.

          SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 11-8-104(b)(1)(A), is amended by deleting
the subdivision and substituting:

          (A) The director of the department's division of state parks, who, effective July 1,
2026, shall complete the remaining term of the manager of the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic
River State Park and serve in such position as a member of the board thereafter;

         SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 11-8-107(e), is amended by deleting the
subsection and substituting:

(e)(1) Persons issued and possessing a permit as of June 30, 2024, may transfer the

permit with prior written approval of the commissioner:  •
SB 2528
                                        (A) To a member of the person's immediate family;
                                        (8) Pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement; or
                                        (C) As authorized by department rule.

                              (2) On or after July 1, 2026, the department shall not issue more than twenty-
                    four (24) permits pursuant to this section, and, as permits are revoked or otherwise
                    not renewed after July 1, 2026, the department shall reduce the maximum number of
                    permits issued to twelve (12).

                              (3) As used in this section, "immediate family" means a spouse, child,
                    stepchild, brother, sister, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, parent, or grandparent.
          SECTION 4. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.

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         SENATE BILL NO. 2528

PASSED:  April 22, 2026

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                                           RANDY Mi~
                         'l

                                SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

                         CAMER~SEXTON,SPEAKER

                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

a /Cf APPROVED this
         te,. day of     (Vh.A             2026

         ~kl_

                       BILL LEE, GOVERNOR