All Roll Calls
Yes: 200 • No: 114
TennesseeSB 0030114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39; Title 40; Title 54 and Title 55, relative to criminal offenses.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Criminal Offenses
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.
Police gain broader misdemeanor arrest powers
Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee officers can make warrantless misdemeanor arrests based on probable cause. The officer does not need to have witnessed the offense. The law also adds probable-cause grounds to citation-instead-of-arrest rules, even when the officer did not witness the offense. It replaces a reference to seven reasons a citation cannot be issued. The revised wording covers citations that cannot or should not be issued under either subsection (c) or (d).
Drivers cannot carry box-truck cargo passengers
Beginning July 1, 2025, transporting someone in a box truck’s cargo area on Tennessee public roads is prohibited. The rule covers municipal streets, county roads, and state highways. A box truck means a moving van or similar vehicle with enclosed cargo space designed mainly for property. That space must lack passenger seats or safety belts. Violating the rule is a Class B misdemeanor.
False names during detention bring penalties
Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee officers can request identification based on reasonable suspicion of a state-law or local-ordinance violation. Officers can obtain a person’s name verbally or by other means. Knowingly giving a false or made-up name during lawful detention or arrest is a Class C misdemeanor. Failure or inability to show physical identification or a driver license does not violate this false-name rule.
Highway signs require written permission
Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee requires written permission to place a sign, signal, or marking over a highway. Written permission is also required to attach one to a bridge, overpass, or tunnel. Permission must come from the entity that maintains the highway or structure. Violating the rule is a Class B misdemeanor.
New distance limits near police officers
Beginning July 1, 2025, intentionally approaching within 25 feet of a Tennessee officer can be a Class B misdemeanor. This applies after the officer orders the person to stop approaching or retreat. The officer must be lawfully conducting a traffic stop, actively investigating an alleged crime scene, or responding to an ongoing, immediate public-safety threat. A legal defense applies when the person neither received nor understood the order and could not have done so.
New penalties for property-based intimidation
Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee adds protections against intimidation tied to rights under state or federal law. Littering or trespassing on another person’s land or belongings to unlawfully intimidate them over those rights is a Class A misdemeanor. Litter includes garbage, refuse, rubbish, unsolicited flyers, or other waste placed on public or private property without permission. The law also sets Class D felony penalties for four existing intimidation offenses. Violations of the same statute’s subsection (c) carry Class A misdemeanor penalties.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Paul Bailey
Republican • Senate
Paul Rose
Republican • Senate
Brent Taylor
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/21/2025
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025
Yes: 70 • No: 20
House vote • 4/21/2025
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025
Yes: 70 • No: 20
House vote • 4/21/2025
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 2 BY BEHN PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025
Yes: 24 • No: 70
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/14/2025
Yes: 30 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Yes: 6 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 07/01/2025
5/15/2025Pub. Ch. 409
5/15/2025Signed by Governor.
5/9/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
5/1/2025SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2025HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/29/2025SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/23/2025SenatePassed H., Ayes 70, Nays 20, PNV 4
4/21/2025HouseFailed to adopt (Amendment 2 - HA0521), Ayes 24, Nays 70, PNV 0
4/21/2025HouseAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0279)
4/21/2025HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/21/2025HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
4/15/2025HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/14/2025SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
4/14/2025SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 2
4/14/2025SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0344)
4/14/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2025
4/11/2025SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 2 PNV 0
4/8/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/8/2025
4/2/2025SenateAction deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/8/2025
4/2/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/2/2025
4/1/2025SenateAction deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/2/2025
4/1/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025
3/31/2025SenateAction deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025
3/31/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025
3/26/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0279
HA0521
Introduced
SA0344
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