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TennesseeHB 2279114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 38 and Title 39, relative to foreign actors.

Sponsored By: Mark Cochran (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Criminal Offenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger criminal rules against foreign repression

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee raises sentences by one level for crimes done by agents of foreign adversaries or foreign terrorist groups. It applies when they act at the direction of, for, or under the influence of the foreign actor, to coerce, force someone to leave the United States, stop protected activities, or retaliate. It does not apply to Class A felonies. It applies only when the conduct is not protected by the First Amendment. The law also makes it a felony to enforce or prosecute under a foreign adversary’s or terrorist group’s rules in Tennessee without approval from authorized state or federal law enforcement. That offense is a Class D felony, or Class C if the person acted as an agent of the foreign government or terrorist group.

State agencies must take repression complaints

Beginning July 1, 2026, each Tennessee state agency adds information about transnational repression to its policies. Each agency must accept direct complaints about transnational repression and provide a contact to receive them. This creates a clear place to report problems and seek help.

Tennessee rejects foreign-law terms that cut rights

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee courts, arbitrators, and agencies cannot enforce a decision that relies on foreign law if it would take away a right protected by the U.S. or Tennessee Constitution. The same rule applies to contracts or contract terms that invoke foreign law. If using that foreign law would deny constitutional rights, the term is void and unenforceable in Tennessee.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark Cochran

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Michele Carringer

    Republican • House

  • John Crawford

    Republican • House

  • Kirk Haston

    Republican • House

  • Dan Howell

    Republican • House

  • Mary Littleton

    Republican • House

  • Susan M. Lynn

    Republican • House

  • Jake McCalmon

    Republican • House

  • Debra Moody

    Republican • House

  • Bryan Terry

    Republican • House

  • Chris Todd

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 128 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/6/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/6/2026

Yes: 27 • No: 2

House vote • 3/26/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/26/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/26/2026

Yes: 77 • No: 12

House vote • 3/11/2026

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 18 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2026

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/21/2026

  2. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/9/2026House

  3. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/8/2026House

  4. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/8/2026Senate

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

    4/7/2026House

  6. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/6/2026Senate

  7. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0713)

    4/6/2026Senate

  8. Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 2

    4/6/2026Senate

  9. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/30/2026Senate

  10. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0652)

    3/26/2026House

  11. Passed H., as am., Ayes 77, Nays 12, PNV 2

    3/26/2026House

  12. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/26/2026House

  13. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/26/2026House

  14. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/26/2026

    3/19/2026House

  15. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/19/2026

    3/18/2026House

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

    3/11/2026House

  17. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/10/2026House

  18. Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/11/2026

    3/4/2026House

  19. Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/11/2026

    3/4/2026House

  20. Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/4/2026

    2/25/2026House

  21. Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee

    2/18/2026House

  22. Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/18/2026

    2/11/2026House

  23. P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

    2/5/2026House

  24. Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

    2/5/2026House

  25. Intro., P1C.

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

  • HA0652 (Substitute)

    3/26/2026

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0713

    PDF

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