Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 468: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment when the offense is committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, if the motor vehicle is occupied, or a Class D felony, if the motor vehicle is unoccupied. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

HB 468 increases criminal penalties for reckless endangerment involving firearms discharged into vehicles. If a motor vehicle is occupied, discharging a firearm (including antique firearms) into it becomes a Class C felony; if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill amends Tennessee law to specify these penalty levels under reckless endangerment statutes. This change directly affects individuals who recklessly fire weapons into vehicles, raising the severity of potential criminal charges based on whether the vehicle was occupied at the time. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications for firearm discharge into vehicles, expanding criminalization and raising penalties per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 672: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for obstruction of a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, or other place used for the passage of persons or vehicles from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony; establishes an increased penalty of a Class D felony if the offense was committed by intentionally obstructing a highway, street, or other place used for the passage of vehicles. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 672 increases penalties for obstructing public pathways in Tennessee. It upgrades obstruction of highways, streets, sidewalks, or similar areas from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. If someone intentionally blocks a highway or street used by vehicles, the penalty becomes a Class D felony. The bill directly affects individuals who interfere with public transportation routes, such as blocking roads during protests or accidents. The changes would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for obstruction from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for obstructing highways/streets, protecting transportation infrastructure flow and safety by criminalizing disruptions to public pathways used for vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 704: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the Class B misdemeanor offenses of criminal impersonation of a transportation network company driver and criminal impersonation of a private passenger-for-hire vehicle driver. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51; Title 39 and Title 65, Chapter 15.

SB 704 creates new Class B misdemeanor offenses for impersonating ride-hailing (e.g., Uber/Lyft) or traditional taxi drivers in Tennessee. It prohibits falsely using a company’s logo, claiming to be responding to a ride request, or making false statements about having a connection to these services. The law directly affects individuals who impersonate drivers to deceive passengers or gain unauthorized access to ride services. Violations are punishable as Class B misdemeanors, rising to Class E felonies if committed during another felony. The bill applies to all drivers of transportation network companies and private passenger-for-hire vehicles (like taxis), excluding personal vehicles used with ride-hailing apps.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class B misdemeanor offenses for impersonating ride-hail/taxi drivers, expanding criminalization in transportation sector. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increased criminalization.95% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 558: Motor Vehicles - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for a person who is in the United States without legal authorization to operate a motor vehicle without possessing a valid driver license and evidence of financial responsibility; limits the fine for such offense to a maximum of $1,000. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

HB 558 creates a Class A misdemeanor for undocumented immigrants operating a motor vehicle without both a valid driver's license and proof of insurance (financial responsibility). It directly affects individuals in Tennessee without legal authorization to drive. The bill sets a maximum $1,000 fine for this offense and amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-101 and 55-50-301. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for undocumented drivers, expanding criminalization without reform measures or protections.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill criminalizes undocumented immigrants driving without license/insurance, imposing fines and restricting mobility - directly limiting immigrant activities under state law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 741: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a criminal offense of possessing, distributing, or producing technology, software, or digital tools designed for the purpose of creating material that includes a minor engaged in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive; establishes relevant factors to be considered in determining whether artificial technology, software, or digital tools are used or possessed with intent to create material that includes a minor engaged in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 741 criminalizes possessing, distributing, or producing digital tools designed to create material featuring minors in sexual activity (real or simulated, if patently offensive). It classifies violations as Class E (possession), Class C (distribution), or Class B (production) felonies. Courts must consider specific factors like the defendant’s statements, existing material, advertising, and legitimate uses when determining intent. The law, effective July 1, 2025, directly affects individuals who handle such technology, not minors or general users.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felonies for digital tools used in child exploitation material, expanding criminalization of related conduct.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyCriminalizes possession/distribution of technology tools designed for illegal CSAM creation, restricting technology use for harmful purposes rather than promoting tech policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1204: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," which creates a Class E felony for the reckless discharge of a firearm while operating, or as a passenger in, a motor vehicle; creates a Class A misdemeanor for the reckless brandishing or display of a firearm while operating, or as a passenger in, a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

SB 1204, the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," creates new criminal penalties for firearm-related conduct in vehicles. It makes it a Class E felony to recklessly discharge a firearm while operating or riding in a motor vehicle, and a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly display or brandish a firearm in the same situation. The law directly affects drivers and passengers who engage in these actions, applying to all motor vehicles under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1902 and 39-17-1903, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates felony/misdemeanor penalties for firearm use in vehicles, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1165: Sentencing - As introduced, adds as an enhancement factor to be used in determining the sentence within the permissible range for a criminal offense that the defendant is an adult and committed the offense with a minor, regardless of whether the minor was convicted of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1165 amends Tennessee sentencing laws to require judges to consider as a sentencing factor that an adult defendant committed a criminal offense with a minor, regardless of whether the minor was convicted. This change directly affects adult defendants in criminal cases where a minor was involved in the offense. The bill adds this factor to the list of considerations judges must weigh when determining a sentence within the legally permitted range. It applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025, and would impact sentencing outcomes for such cases statewide.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds sentencing enhancement for adults involving minors, increasing severity of penalties per bill's explicit language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 745: Motor Vehicles - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for a person who is in the United States without legal authorization to operate a motor vehicle without possessing a valid driver license and evidence of financial responsibility; limits the fine for such offense to a maximum of $1,000. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

SB 745 creates a Class A misdemeanor for individuals in the U.S. without legal authorization who operate a motor vehicle without both a valid driver's license and proof of financial responsibility (like insurance). It directly affects undocumented immigrants who drive without meeting these specific documentation requirements. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39 and 55 to establish this offense, limiting the maximum fine to $1,000. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for undocumented drivers, expanding criminalization without reform measures, directly increasing penalties for a specific group.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill criminalizes undocumented immigrants driving without license/insurance, increasing state enforcement and restricting immigrant activities, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1191: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," which creates a Class E felony for the reckless discharge of a firearm while operating, or as a passenger in, a motor vehicle; creates a Class A misdemeanor for the reckless brandishing or display of a firearm while operating, or as a passenger in, a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

HB 1191, the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," creates a Class E felony for recklessly discharging a firearm while operating or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle, and a Class A misdemeanor for recklessly brandishing or displaying a firearm in the same situation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Titles 39 (crimes) and 55 (vehicles), to establish these specific penalties. It directly affects drivers and passengers who engage in these firearm-related actions in vehicles, with the law scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony/misdemeanor penalties for firearm misuse in vehicles, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1204: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law concerning driving under the influence. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

HB 1204 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws. It allows law enforcement officers to assist qualified medical practitioners in using reasonable force to obtain blood samples from drivers suspected of DUI, and increases the maximum sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. The blood sample provision takes effect immediately upon enactment, while the sentencing change will take effect on July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects drivers charged with DUI in Tennessee by altering evidence collection procedures and penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases first-time DUI sentence max from 1 year to 18 months, expanding criminalization and harsher penalties per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing

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