(a) Beginning in the 2019 rafting season, and continuing for each subsequent rafting season, the commissioner is authorized to issue permits to commercial operations conducting business within the Ocoee River management zone.
(b) The commissioner is authorized to levy and collect the Ocoee River recreation fee, which shall be ten percent (10%) of the annual gross revenue generated by commercial activities occurring within the Ocoee River management zone. Revenue generated from the fee shall be deposited in the development fund pursuant to the issuance of a permit as authorized in subsection (a).
(c) The commissioner shall have the authority to revoke the permit of any commercial operations conducting business within the Ocoee River management zone for failure to comply with the rules promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to this chapter. Revocation of permits shall be carried out in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
(d) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. Such rules shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.
(e) (1) Persons issued and possessing a permit as of June 30, 2024, may transfer the permit with prior written approval of the commissioner:(A) To a member of the person's immediate family;(B) 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.
(1) Persons issued and possessing a permit as of June 30, 2024, may transfer the permit with prior written approval of the commissioner:(A) To a member of the person's immediate family;(B) Pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement; or(C) As authorized by department rule.
(A) To a member of the person's immediate family;
(B) 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.