HB 769 makes it a crime to knowingly possess, distribute, or produce technology, software, or digital tools designed to create material featuring minors in sexual activity or extremely inappropriate simulated sexual activity. It directly affects individuals who use such tools, with penalties ranging from a Class E felony (possession) to a Class B felony (production). The law specifies that courts must consider factors like the defendant’s statements, existing material in their possession, advertising, and expert testimony to determine intent. This bill creates new criminal penalties for tools specifically intended to generate such material, not for general technology use.
HB 478 clarifies that a person does not commit a crime if they carry a firearm into an area where firearms are prohibited (e.g., posted private property) and either immediately leaves upon request by the property owner or stores the firearm in their vehicle as required by state law (TCA § 39-17-1313). The bill directly affects individuals carrying firearms on private property where guns are banned, such as businesses or events with posted restrictions. It modifies existing law (TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13) to explicitly exempt compliant behavior from criminal liability. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing firearm possession laws or create new restrictions.
SB 1129 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: (1) a Class E felony for controlling a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission (even if not intending to steal it), and (2) a Class A misdemeanor for possessing a firearm known to be stolen. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully take vehicles or possess stolen firearms, with penalties based on the specific violation. The bill amends Tennessee’s criminal code to define these acts clearly, specifying that unauthorized vehicle control is a felony while stolen firearm possession is a misdemeanor. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and is currently pending review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
HB 573 changes Tennessee's criminal law by lowering the threshold for a Class A felony conviction related to fentanyl derivatives. It reduces the amount of substances like fentanyl, carfentanil, or their analogues that trigger this severe penalty from 150 grams to 50 grams or more for offenses including manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possessing with intent to do so. This bill directly affects individuals involved in the distribution or possession of these substances at or above the new 50-gram threshold. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, as specified in the bill text.
HB 1140 reclassifies the unauthorized possession of a used, detached catalytic converter as a Class E felony in Tennessee, instead of a Class A misdemeanor. This change subjects offenders to potential jail time (up to 11 months, 29 days), a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses possessing catalytic converters without authorization, such as scrap dealers or auto repair shops. It amends Tennessee criminal code sections in Titles 38, 39, 55, and 62 to implement this penalty upgrade, effective July 1, 2025.
SB 769 changes Tennessee law to treat unauthorized possession of a used, detached catalytic converter as a felony instead of a minor misdemeanor. It makes this offense punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses that possess catalytic converters without authorization, such as scrap recyclers or those who may have stolen them. This policy update strengthens penalties to deter catalytic converter theft, which is a growing problem across the state.
This Tennessee bill (HB 587) expands the state's definition of racketeering activity to include organized retail crime (like large-scale shoplifting) and carrying a firearm during a dangerous felony. It also explicitly adds carjacking to the list of activities classified as racketeering. These changes will affect law enforcement investigations and prosecutions of these specific crimes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 578 expands Tennessee's list of "dangerous felonies" to include new offenses like human trafficking, aggravated stalking, methamphetamine manufacturing, and drug trafficking. This change means that if someone possesses a firearm (including antique firearms) while committing or attempting any of these newly listed crimes, they face enhanced penalties. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who own firearms, increasing legal consequences for firearm possession during such crimes. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1324 to add 14 new offenses to the existing dangerous felony list, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 944 prohibits the possession of specific firearms defined as "assault weapons" (including models like AR-15s, AK-47s, and certain semiautomatic rifles/pistols) in Tennessee. It requires current owners to apply for a "certificate of possession" by July 1, 2025, to legally retain these weapons. The bill also creates a Class E felony for purchasing, selling, or possessing parts designed to accelerate fire in semiautomatic rifles, making any rifle equipped with such parts a "prohibited weapon." This directly affects Tennessee residents owning the listed firearms or related components.
