Boats, Boating - As introduced, requires a person to purchase a permit in order to operate a vessel on the intrastate waters of this state that is exempt from being numbered for identification in this state due only to the vessel having a valid number awarded to it pursuant to a federally approved numbering system of another state. - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 9.

HB 771 requires boat owners to purchase a $72 annual permit to operate vessels that are exempt from Tennessee numbering (because they have a valid federal number from another state) on Tennessee's intrastate waters. This applies specifically to boats already legally numbered under another state's federally approved system. The permit fee must be paid annually, and all revenue will fund Tennessee's boating safety programs. The bill creates a new permit requirement for these "exempt vessels," which would be administered by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. (Note: The bill failed in committee on March 26, 2025, and is not yet law.)