All Roll Calls
Yes: 145 • No: 0
TennesseeHB 1731114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 46, relative to places of burial.
Sponsored By: Dave Wright (Republican)
Became Law
Criminal Offenses
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger rules against grave desecration
Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee treats more actions as desecrating a grave. Removing items from a burial place counts as desecration if you are not authorized. Family members, authorized cemetery staff, and state archaeology employees doing their job may still remove items, as may others authorized by law. The change strengthens protection for graves, families, and cemeteries.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Dave Wright
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Elaine Davis
Republican • House
Clay Doggett
Republican • House
Jerome Moon
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/9/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/9/2026
Yes: 90 • No: 0
House vote • 3/9/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/9/2026
Yes: 32 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Yes: 16 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Pub. Ch. 626
3/30/2026Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
3/30/2026Signed by Governor.
3/26/2026Signed by Senate Speaker
3/17/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for his action.
3/17/2026HouseSigned by H. Speaker
3/16/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
3/10/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0598)
3/9/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 3
3/9/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
3/9/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
3/9/2026HouseReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
3/9/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
3/9/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0561)
3/9/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
3/9/2026SenateH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/9/2026
3/5/2026HouseRec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
3/4/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/5/2026
3/4/2026HousePlaced on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/4/2026
2/25/2026HouseAction def. in Judiciary Committee to Next Available Calendar
2/18/2026HouseRec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
2/11/2026HousePlaced on cal. Judiciary Committee for 2/18/2026
2/11/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
2/5/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/11/2026
2/4/2026HouseP2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
1/22/2026House
Bill Text
HA0598 (Substitute)
3/9/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0561
Related Bills
SB 2326 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66, relative to property owners' associations' responsibility to maintain fidelity bonds.
HB 2044 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63; Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2 and Chapter 1042 of the Public Acts of 2024, relative to certified medical assistants.
HB 1665 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 33; Title 47; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to the protection of minors in healthcare settings.
HB 2505 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 12; Title 13; Title 29; Title 39; Title 45; Title 47 and Title 67, relative to virtual currency kiosks.
HB 1971 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 49, relative to causes of action.
HB 2356 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-8-151, relative to evidence.