TennesseeHB 0601114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, relative to post-conviction relief.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New way to challenge convictions

The law creates a post-conviction writ in criminal cases, using civil coram nobis rules unless they conflict. It covers convictions after a trial or a plea. It focuses on errors outside the trial record or issues not heard before. You can seek relief with newly found evidence if you were not at fault for missing it and a judge thinks it could have changed the result. If you are in custody, the court can order your custodian to bring you to the hearing.

Stricter rules for post-conviction writs

After a trial conviction, you must serve notice on the district attorney general. In death cases, you must serve the Tennessee attorney general and reporter. If you pleaded guilty, no contest, or best interest, you cannot start the writ on your own. The court may start it only for claims you and the district attorney general file together. Judges cannot use this writ to pause or stay a conviction.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Bob Freeman
Democrat • House

Cosponsors

Clay Doggett
Republican • House
Andrew Farmer
Republican • House
G.A. Hardaway
Democrat • House
Torrey C. Harris
Democrat • House
Bud Hulsey
Republican • House
Jr. Love, Jr.
Democrat • House
Antonio Parkinson
Democrat • House
Jr. Towns, Jr.
Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 137 • No: 33

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/10/2025

Yes: 24 • No: 6

House vote • 4/7/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/7/2025

Yes: 85 • No: 7

House vote • 4/7/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 9

House vote • 4/2/2025

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 8

House vote • 3/26/2025

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

Pub. Ch. 282
4/28/2025
Effective date(s) 04/24/2025
4/28/2025
Signed by Governor.
4/24/2025
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
4/16/2025House
Signed by Senate Speaker
4/15/2025Senate
Signed by H. Speaker
4/14/2025House
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/11/2025House
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/10/2025Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0139)
4/10/2025Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0361)
4/10/2025Senate
Passed Senate, Ayes 24, Nays 6
4/10/2025Senate
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/9/2025Senate
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/8/2025House
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0273)
4/7/2025House
Sponsor(s) Added.
4/7/2025House
Passed H., as am., Ayes 85, Nays 7, PNV 0
4/7/2025House
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/7/2025
4/3/2025House
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/2/2025House
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/3/2025
4/2/2025House
Sponsor(s) Added.
3/31/2025House
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
3/26/2025House
Sponsor(s) Added.
3/26/2025House
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/2/2025
3/26/2025House
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/26/2025
3/19/2025House
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
2/5/2025House

Bill Text

HA0273 (Substitute)
4/7/2025
PDF
Enrolled / Public Chapter
PDF
Fiscal Note
PDF
Introduced
PDF
SA0139
PDF
SA0361
PDF

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