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TennesseeHB 0486114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4, relative to district public defenders.

Sponsored By: Andrew Farmer (Republican)

Became Law

Public Defenders

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Tennessee adds five public defenders

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state adds five assistant district public defenders. This expands access to free court-appointed lawyers for people who cannot afford one. The law does not say which districts get the jobs or what they pay. The act is in effect now; the new positions start July 1, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Andrew Farmer

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Rush Bricken

    Republican • House

  • Elaine Davis

    Republican • House

  • G.A. Hardaway

    Democrat • House

  • Gary Hicks

    Republican • House

  • Antonio Parkinson

    Democrat • House

  • Jason Powell

    Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 195 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/22/2025

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025

Yes: 94 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 27 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 4/9/2025

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2025

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 485

    5/27/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/21/2025

    5/27/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/21/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/9/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/8/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/28/2025House

  8. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/22/2025Senate

  9. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0388)

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0

    4/22/2025Senate

  12. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/21/2025House

  13. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0380)

    4/21/2025House

  14. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/21/2025House

  15. Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0

    4/21/2025House

  16. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/21/2025House

  17. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    4/17/2025House

  18. Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/17/2025House

  19. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025

    4/17/2025House

  20. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2025

    4/17/2025House

  21. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025

    4/16/2025House

  22. Placed behind the budget

    4/14/2025House

  23. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025

    4/14/2025House

  24. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    4/9/2025House

  25. Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

    4/9/2025House

Bill Text

  • HA0380 (Substitute)

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0388

    PDF

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