Tennessee Senate Bill SB1725

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/26
• Engrossed: 3/16/26
• Enrolled: 4/1/26
• Passed: 4/14/26
• Chaptered: 4/28/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 69, Chapter 9, relative to the moorage of vessels.

Summary

SB1725 amends Tennessee law governing the moorage of recreational vessels on reservoirs and parts of the Tennessee River system. The bill prohibits a recreational vessel from being moored for more than 14 consecutive days at any one place along the water’s edge of a reservoir or within one mile of it, from establishing temporary moorage in primary or secondary navigation channels, and from placing mooring lines in a way that blocks or hinders boating access to a reservoir. The bill also defines key terms such as “moor,” “recreational vessel,” “reservoir,” and “Tennessee River system.” It creates exceptions for vessels with a federal permit for permanent or extended mooring and for vessels secured at a marina slip, dock, or other recreational docking facility. A violation is classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and the act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Impact

This bill adds a new enforcement provision to Title 69, Chapter 9 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, expanding state regulation of recreational vessel moorage on federally managed reservoirs and Tennessee River waters. It affects boat owners, marina operators, and others using shoreline or channel areas by limiting long-term anchoring and prohibiting obstruction of navigation access, while preserving federally permitted mooring and marina-based docking arrangements.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad support in the legislative process. It was recommended for passage unanimously in the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and passed the Senate floor by wide margins on amended third consideration and final passage, indicating generally favorable sentiment toward the measure.

Contention

The main policy issue is balancing shoreline use by recreational boaters against navigation access and channel safety. Support appears to center on preventing vessels from occupying reservoir shorelines or navigation channels for extended periods and keeping access open for other boaters. Any opposition likely relates to the restrictions on long-term mooring and the criminal penalty, but the vote history suggests limited organized resistance.