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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: Mark Pody (Republican)

Became Law

Criminal Offenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Broader arrest and citation powers

Beginning July 1, 2025, an officer may arrest you for a misdemeanor based on probable cause, even if the officer did not see it happen. A peace officer may also act on probable cause for an offense whether or not it happened in the officer’s presence. The law also broadens when officers may decide not to issue a citation.

No box truck riders or unauthorized signs

Beginning July 1, 2025, it is illegal to transport a person in the cargo area of a box truck on public roads. A box truck has an enclosed cargo area for goods and no seats or seat belts for passengers. This offense is a Class B misdemeanor. It is also a Class B misdemeanor to place or attach a sign, signal, or marking over a highway or on a bridge, overpass, or tunnel without written permission from the agency that maintains it.

New crimes and penalties for rights intimidation

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law makes it illegal to place litter or trespass on someone’s property to intimidate them for using their legal rights. The law defines “litters” as putting garbage, rubbish, unsolicited flyers, or other waste on property without permission. Some intimidation acts under this section are Class D felonies. The new littering or trespass intimidation offense is a Class A misdemeanor. Other acts under this section are also Class A misdemeanors.

Police ID checks and 25 foot rule

Beginning July 1, 2025, a police officer may ask you to identify yourself when they have reasonable suspicion of a law or ordinance violation. If you are lawfully detained or arrested, it is a Class C misdemeanor to give a false or fake name on purpose. Not having a physical ID or driver’s license is not a crime under this rule. It is a Class B misdemeanor to intentionally come within 25 feet of an officer after they order you to stop or back up during a traffic stop, a crime scene investigation, or an immediate public-safety threat. You have a defense if you did not receive or could not understand the order under the circumstances.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark Pody

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Paul Bailey

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

  • Brent Taylor

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 200 • No: 114

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

  1. Pub. Ch. 409

    5/15/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2025

    5/15/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/9/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/23/2025Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/21/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0279)

    4/21/2025House

  10. Failed to adopt (Amendment 2 - HA0521), Ayes 24, Nays 70, PNV 0

    4/21/2025House

  11. Passed H., Ayes 70, Nays 20, PNV 4

    4/21/2025House

  12. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    4/15/2025House

  13. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0344)

    4/14/2025Senate

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 2

    4/14/2025Senate

  15. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/14/2025Senate

  16. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/14/2025Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2025

    4/11/2025Senate

  18. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 2 PNV 0

    4/8/2025Senate

  19. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/8/2025

    4/2/2025Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/8/2025

    4/2/2025Senate

  21. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/2/2025

    4/1/2025Senate

  22. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/2/2025

    4/1/2025Senate

  23. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025

    3/31/2025Senate

  24. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025

    3/31/2025Senate

  25. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/26/2025Senate

Bill Text

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