HB 1541 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Police - As introduced, authorizes qualified companies to maintain a company police force that may exercise law enforcement authority within the confines of the company's properties; prescribes qualifications for police officers of a company police agency. - Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 20; Title 38, Chapter 8 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 1541 would have authorized large companies meeting specific size criteria (3,000+ annual employees and 3 million+ annual visitors) to establish their own police forces on company-owned or controlled property. These company police officers would need POST certification, follow state law enforcement standards, and could enforce all applicable laws, make arrests, carry weapons, and conduct investigations - but only within the company's property limits. The bill required a defined command structure (including chief, captain, and patrol officers) and mandated cooperation with local law enforcement, while clarifying that company officers would have qualified immunity when enforcing state law but not for enforcing internal company rules. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn on February 2, 2026, and never became law.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 2, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Public Service Subcommittee
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Fred Atchley
Fred Atchley
RRepublican
TN
12