TennesseeHB 0576114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 13; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 56; Title 62 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 8, relative to bond.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

New state board oversees bondsmen

The law creates a seven‑member Tennessee Board of Professional Bondsmen. The governor appoints three members; the House and Senate speakers appoint two each. The board can make rules, set fees, set qualifications, and approve continuing education, and it follows state administrative procedures. Appointments and rulemaking may begin immediately. For initial setup, a court‑approved bondsman may be appointed even if not yet licensed; after March 1, 2026, new appointees must meet licensing rules.

Arrest and bankruptcy can halt bonding

Starting January 1, 2026, a licensed bondsman must tell the board in writing within 72 hours of any arrest. If you fail to notify, your bonding privileges are automatically suspended until a board hearing or the charges are resolved. If a court finds you discharged debts in bankruptcy but left bond forfeitures unpaid, the court can bar you in that court and must tell the board. The board may then suspend or revoke your Tennessee license.

Bondsmen barred from some other jobs

Starting January 1, 2026, you cannot act as a bondsman if you are a constitutionally elected peace officer, a deputy, or most county officials. Members of a county legislative body are allowed. You also cannot be a bondsman if you own, operate, or work for a qualified electronic monitoring company, unless you were both a bondsman and an owner before January 1, 2025.

Licensing and court approval for bondsmen

Starting January 1, 2026, courts and sheriffs get a current list of licensed bondsmen. Courts may accept an undertaking only from a licensed, court‑approved, solvent surety. Bondsmen must show proof of licensure to courts. Beginning March 1, 2026, you cannot operate as a professional bondsman unless you are licensed. To apply or renew, you must file with the board, complete a TBI background check, and pay the background‑check fees.

Stronger oversight and complaints for bondsmen

Starting January 1, 2026, the board runs a public online registry of approved bondsmen and posts discipline from the past five years. The board handles all complaints and may deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse a license after notice and a hearing. Judges can still deny a bondsman the privilege to admit people to bail and must give written reasons; you can appeal a court denial to the next higher court. District attorneys can file complaints with the board. Courts must report actions to the board, and the department inactivates a license when told the business closed at its licensed location.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Clay Doggett
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Dan Howell
Republican • House
Justin Lafferty
Republican • House
Cameron Speaker Sexton
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 175 • No: 18

House vote • 4/21/2025

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

Yes: 83 • No: 5

House vote • 4/21/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/21/2025

Yes: 22 • No: 8

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 • 4/16/2025

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Yes: 10 • No: 1

House vote • 4/9/2025

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 14 • No: 3

House vote • 3/26/2025

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

Pub. Ch. 491
5/27/2025
Effective date(s) 05/21/2025, 01/01/2026
5/27/2025
Signed by Governor.
5/21/2025
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/9/2025House
Signed by Senate Speaker
5/8/2025Senate
Signed by H. Speaker
4/30/2025House
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/24/2025House
Sponsor(s) Added.
4/21/2025House
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0384)
4/21/2025House
H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0498)
4/21/2025House
Passed H., as am., Ayes 83, Nays 5, PNV 1
4/21/2025House
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/21/2025House
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/21/2025Senate
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/21/2025Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0209)
4/21/2025Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0405)
4/21/2025Senate
Passed Senate, Ayes 22, Nays 8
4/21/2025Senate
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/17/2025House
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/17/2025House
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025
4/17/2025House
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2025
4/17/2025House
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/16/2025House
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
4/16/2025House
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/16/2025
4/16/2025House
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025
4/16/2025House

Bill Text

HA0384 (Substitute)
4/21/2025
PDF
Enrolled / Public Chapter
PDF
Fiscal Note
PDF
HA0498
PDF
Introduced
PDF
SA0209
PDF
SA0405
PDF

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