(a) An independent and separate administrative board of conservation for game, fish and wildlife of the state is created, to be known and referred to as the Tennessee fish and wildlife commission, hereinafter referred to as the “fish and wildlife commission” or the “commission,” to consist of thirteen (13) citizens of this state, which citizens shall be well informed on the conservation of game animals, birds, and fish in this state, and also boating operation, regulation, and safety. The appointees must also actively participate in the activities regulated by the commission, including hunting, angling, trapping, and boating. Nine (9) of these citizens shall be appointed by the governor, two (2) shall be appointed by the speaker of the senate, and two (2) shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, each to be appointed within the period provided in this section. In making appointments to the fish and wildlife commission, the governor and the speakers shall strive to ensure that at least one (1) person serving on the commission is sixty (60) years of age or older, at least one (1) person serving on the commission is a member of a racial minority, and at least two (2) persons serving on the commission are female.
(b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (b), each member appointed by the governor must be confirmed by the committee of the house of representatives with jurisdiction over subject matters pertaining to agriculture and natural resources; by the energy, agriculture and natural resources committee of the senate; and by joint resolution of the general assembly prior to beginning a term of office.(2) Members' terms begin July 1 and expire on June 30 of the appropriate years. Members serving on February 28, 2026, shall continue to serve until June 30, 2026.(3) If the general assembly is not in session at the time a member is appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the expiration of a term, then the member of the commission shall serve until a new appointee is appointed as provided in subsection (a) or confirmed as provided in subdivision (b)(1).(4) If the general assembly is not in session at the time a member is appointed to fill a vacancy not resulting from the expiration of a term, then the new appointee shall serve for the term appointed, unless such appointment must be confirmed pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) and is not confirmed within sixty (60) calendar days after the general assembly next convenes in regular session following such appointment.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (b), each member appointed by the governor must be confirmed by the committee of the house of representatives with jurisdiction over subject matters pertaining to agriculture and natural resources; by the energy, agriculture and natural resources committee of the senate; and by joint resolution of the general assembly prior to beginning a term of office.
(2) Members' terms begin July 1 and expire on June 30 of the appropriate years. Members serving on February 28, 2026, shall continue to serve until June 30, 2026.
(3) If the general assembly is not in session at the time a member is appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the expiration of a term, then the member of the commission shall serve until a new appointee is appointed as provided in subsection (a) or confirmed as provided in subdivision (b)(1).
(4) If the general assembly is not in session at the time a member is appointed to fill a vacancy not resulting from the expiration of a term, then the new appointee shall serve for the term appointed, unless such appointment must be confirmed pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) and is not confirmed within sixty (60) calendar days after the general assembly next convenes in regular session following such appointment.
(c) (1) Each regular term of a commission member appointed by a speaker is four (4) years and each regular term of a commission member appointed by the governor is six (6) years.(2) A commission member shall not serve consecutive terms. For the purposes of this subdivision (c)(2), a commission member is considered as having served a term if such member has served more than two (2) years of an initial term, a regular term, or an unexpired term.(3) A vacancy on the commission must be filled by the appointing authority making the original appointment for the remainder of any unexpired term or, if a term has expired, for a regular term.
(1) Each regular term of a commission member appointed by a speaker is four (4) years and each regular term of a commission member appointed by the governor is six (6) years.
(2) A commission member shall not serve consecutive terms. For the purposes of this subdivision (c)(2), a commission member is considered as having served a term if such member has served more than two (2) years of an initial term, a regular term, or an unexpired term.
(3) A vacancy on the commission must be filled by the appointing authority making the original appointment for the remainder of any unexpired term or, if a term has expired, for a regular term.