Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a Class B misdemeanor for knowingly activating and pointing a laser pointer or other device utilizing a laser beam at a person driving an automobile, boat, aircraft, or any other motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39.
HB 191 makes it a Class B misdemeanor to knowingly point a laser pointer or laser device at someone driving a car, boat, aircraft, or any motor vehicle. This law directly affects individuals who intentionally use such devices to distract or endanger drivers. The bill creates a new criminal offense with penalties including fines or jail time for violations occurring on or after July 1, 2025. It applies statewide to all motor vehicles and was signed into law by the governor on March 28, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025
Signed Mar 28, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2025 · House Feb 24, 2025
How they voted
34–0
Passed
Total votes 34
Mar 10, 2025
D
Democratic4
100% Yea
R
Republican30
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
10
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Mar 28, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 29, Nays 0
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0011)
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 97, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 2/20/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 2/19/2025
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/12/2025
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
William Lamberth
RRepublican
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