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TennesseeHB 0683114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 39 and Title 62, Chapter 35, relative to private protective services.

Sponsored By: William Lamberth (Republican)

Became Law

Private Protective Services

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Limits on rifles and shotguns for guards

Beginning January 1, 2026, a person providing security services cannot carry a rifle or shotgun unless they hold a current enhanced armed guard registration. Even with the registration, guards may carry only the types the commissioner allows and only if certified. They may deploy the weapon only when a real, imminent threat is perceived; otherwise it must be stored securely as rules require. The law uses Tennessee’s standard definitions of “rifle” and “shotgun.”

New registration for enhanced armed guards

Beginning January 1, 2026, Tennessee creates an enhanced armed guard registration. To apply, you must already hold a current armed guard registration. You must also have 5 years of full-time law-enforcement service, or 4 years in a combat-arms military role with good standing or an honorable discharge. You must pass TBI/FBI fingerprint checks and a psychological evaluation, pass a written exam, and finish an approved in-person course. The course is offered at least quarterly, lasts at least 16 hours, covers rifle/shotgun scenarios and secure storage, and equal military or police training can count. After you qualify and pay the set fees, the commissioner issues the enhancement; it lasts one year and needs yearly renewal with a fee, a background check, and an 8-hour requalification (at least 6 hours of rifle/shotgun training and range qualification).

Rulemaking now, main changes in 2026

The commissioner can start writing rules now and must follow Tennessee’s rulemaking law. Most other parts of this law start on January 1, 2026. This timing gives employers and guards time to prepare.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William Lamberth

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Elaine Davis

    Republican • House

  • Jake McCalmon

    Republican • House

  • Bill Powers

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 15

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/16/2025

Yes: 28 • No: 4

House vote • 3/31/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/31/2025

Yes: 83 • No: 9

House vote • 3/25/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 23 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2025

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2025

HOUSE BUSINESS AND UTILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 10 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 344

    5/8/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/02/2025, 01/01/2026

    5/8/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/2/2025

  4. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/22/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/22/2025Senate

  6. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/22/2025House

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

    4/17/2025House

  8. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/16/2025Senate

  9. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0389)

    4/16/2025Senate

  10. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0390)

    4/16/2025Senate

  11. Passed Senate, Ayes 28, Nays 4

    4/16/2025Senate

  12. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/3/2025Senate

  13. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/1/2025House

  14. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0045)

    3/31/2025House

  15. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/31/2025House

  16. H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0174)

    3/31/2025House

  17. Passed H., as am., Ayes 83, Nays 9, PNV 1

    3/31/2025House

  18. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/27/2025House

  19. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/27/2025

    3/26/2025House

  20. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    3/25/2025House

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

    3/19/2025House

  22. Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 3/25/2025

    3/19/2025House

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

    3/12/2025House

  24. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/19/2025

    3/12/2025House

  25. Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    3/10/2025House

Bill Text

  • HA0045 (Substitute)

    3/31/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • HA0174

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0389

    PDF

  • SA0390

    PDF

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