Current through Acts 2023-2024, ch. 1069
Section 55-4-303 - Fish and wildlife(a)(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a Sportsman new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (a) must contain an appropriate image, design, or logo that promotes and indicates support for the protection, propagation, and conservation of fish and wildlife in Tennessee, including the importance of protecting and preserving for future generations the heritage of hunting and fishing in this state. These plates must be designed in consultation with the executive director of the Tennessee wildlife resources agency and the board of directors of the Sportsmen's Wildlife Foundation.(3) The funds produced from the sale of Sportsman new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Sportsmen's Wildlife Foundation, in accordance with § 55-4-301. The funds must be used exclusively to establish and administer programs to ensure the protection, propagation, and conservation of fish and wildlife in Tennessee in order to assure the preservation of the heritage of hunting and fishing in this state for future generations.(b)(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a Fish and Wildlife Species new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (b) must be designed in consultation with the executive director of the Tennessee wildlife resources agency, the director of the department's vehicle services division, and the commissioner.(3) The funds produced from the sale of Fish and Wildlife Species new specialty earmarked license plates must be deposited in the wildlife resources fund established in § 70-1-401, in accordance with § 55-4-301. The funds must be used exclusively for management, protection, propagation, and conservation of fish and wildlife species and the protection and enhancement of the species' habitats.(c)(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued an Eagle Foundation new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (c) must contain the official logo of the Eagle Foundation or a representation of the American bald eagle, or both. The plates must be designed in consultation with the board of directors of the Eagle Foundation.(3) The funds produced from the sale of Eagle Foundation new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Eagle Foundation, in accordance with § 55-4-301. The funds must be used exclusively for the preservation of the American bald eagle and its habitat.(d)(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a Trout Unlimited new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (d) must contain the official Trout Unlimited logo or other appropriate design representative of the organization. The plates must be designed in consultation with the board of trustees of Trout Unlimited.(3) The funds produced from the sale of Trout Unlimited new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited, in accordance with § 55-4-301, for distribution to the Tennessee chapters of Trout Unlimited in amounts as determined by the council. The funds must be used exclusively in Tennessee by the Tennessee chapters of Trout Unlimited to further the organization's mission to conserve, protect, and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.(e)(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of the state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a Smallmouth Bass new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (e) must contain a design of a smallmouth bass. The plates must be designed in consultation with the executive director of the Tennessee wildlife resources agency.(3) The funds produced from the sale of Smallmouth Bass new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee wildlife resources agency, in accordance with § 55-4-301. The funds must be deposited in the wildlife resources fund established in § 70-1-401, to be used exclusively for management, protection, propagation, and conservation of fish and wildlife species, and the protection and enhancement of the species' habitats.(f)(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a National Wild Turkey Federation new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (f) must contain the official image, logo, or other appropriate design representative of the National Wild Turkey Federation and include the phrase "Conserve. Hunt. Share." The plates must be designed in consultation with the regional director for the East Tennessee local chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation.(3) The funds produced from the sale of National Wild Turkey Federation new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, in accordance with § 55-4-301, for distribution to the Tennessee local chapters of the organization. The funds must be used exclusively in Tennessee to further the organization's mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve the heritage of hunting in this state.(g)(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of the state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a Tennessee Wildlife Federation new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (g) must be designed in consultation with the executive director of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.(3) The funds produced from the sale of Tennessee Wildlife Federation new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, in accordance with § 55-4-301. The funds must be used exclusively in furtherance of the organization's activities in Tennessee.(h)(1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a Tennessee Wildlife Federation Nongame and Education Programs new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(2) The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (h) must contain the official Tennessee Wildlife Federation logo or other appropriate design representative of the organization. The plates must be designed in consultation with the board of directors of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.(3) The funds produced from the sale of Tennessee Wildlife Federation Nongame and Education Programs new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, in accordance with § 55-4-301. The funds must be used exclusively in Tennessee to further the organization's mission to conserve, protect, and restore Tennessee's wildlife and natural resources.Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.