Recreational Areas - As introduced, expands the purposes for which monies from the Ocoee River recreation and economic development fund may be expended by the Ocoee River recreation and economic development fund board; replaces the park manager member of the board with the director of the division of state parks. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 10 and Title 11, Chapter 8.

HB 1749, which was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn on February 4, 2026, proposed two key changes to the Ocoee River recreation fund and management. It expanded the fund’s allowable uses to include tourism promotion (like hiring event coordinators and supporting nonprofit river events) and required board approval for certain infrastructure spending. The bill also replaced the park manager on the fund’s board with the state parks director and restricted commercial permits for river operations, capping them at 24 (then 12) after July 2026 with strict transfer rules for family or business sales. These changes would have directly affected commercial operators, state parks staff, and the Ocoee River management zone. The bill did not become law.