SB 1237 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, requires every bondsman licensed in this state to file a quarterly report with the department of revenue detailing the total number of bonds issued by the bondsman in the preceding quarter, the number of bonds issued in each county in which the bondsman operated, and the total amount of the bondsman's liability in each county; requires each clerk of a court that admits defendants to bail to file a quarterly report with the department detailing the total number of bonds accepted from bondsmen and the total amount of the bonds accepted from bondsmen in the preceding quarter; authorizes the department to use the reports to complete audits on the bail bonding tax. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 13; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 56; Title 62 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 8.

SB 1237 requires licensed bail bondsmen in Tennessee to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Revenue detailing the number and total value of bonds issued in each county they operate. Court clerks who admit defendants to bail must also file quarterly reports on bonds accepted from bondsmen, including total counts and values. These reports will enable the Department of Revenue to conduct audits of the bail bonding tax. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all bail bonds executed on or after that date.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2025 · House Apr 15, 2025

How they voted

34–1
Passed
Total votes 35
Mar 31, 2025
D Democratic7
7 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican28
27 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
11
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 5, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 30, Nays 1 (Amendment 1 - HA0362)
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0362)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 91, Nays 0, PNV 4
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0144)
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 29, Nays 1
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/18/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/18/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ferrell Haile
Ferrell Haile
RRepublican
TN
18