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TennesseeSB 1299114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-10-417 and Section 55-10-425, relative to ignition interlock devices.

Sponsored By: Jack Johnson (Republican)

Became Law

DUI Offenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New path to reinstate license

You can ask a court to reinstate your driver license. The judge can order reinstatement only if you meet all other reinstatement rules, have no other suspensions or revocations, and your only interlock issue was missing calibration, monitoring, or inspection. The judge must make written findings and attach proof. After the department gets the order, it must reinstate your license if you paid required fees and still meet the other conditions.

Interlock pause for deployed service members

Active‑duty service members deployed out of state for more than 30 days can pause their ignition interlock period. Give your orders to your device provider, who must send them to the department within five business days. The department approves or denies; if approved, the pause matches your deployment days. After you return, you have 30 days to calibrate or reinstall so the period resumes; if you deployed over 90 days, you may remove the device but must reinstall within 30 days of return. The pause does not let you drive vehicles without an interlock or skip other rules, and failing these steps can make your whole interlock period start over. If denied, you can ask the commissioner to review within 10 business days; the requirement is stayed during review, with a further appeal under § 4-5-322. Related sections now reference these tolling rules so enforcement accounts for tolling.

7-day grace for interlock appointments

Beginning January 1, 2026, you are not in violation if you come for calibration, monitoring, or inspection any time your provider is open within seven calendar days before or after your set appointment. The calibration or inspection must be finished within that seven‑day window. Your next monthly calibration must be scheduled no more than 30 days from the date you appear.

Clearer interlock terms and exceptions

The law uses breath alcohol concentration, not a blood‑alcohol phrase, for device rules. It also uses one term, “ignition interlock usage period,” instead of a fixed “365‑day” phrase. One device rule now clearly honors an existing exception in the interlock rules, narrowing when the requirement applies.

Quick retest can clear failures

Trying to start a car or failing a rolling test at 0.02% breath alcohol or higher is a violation. You are not in violation if you retest within 10 minutes and the level is below 0.02%. Digital images must confirm the same person took both tests.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Paul Bailey

    Republican • Senate

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

  • Ed Jackson

    Republican • Senate

  • Mark Pody

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

  • John Stevens

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 1

House vote • 3/27/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/27/2025

Yes: 95 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/13/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/13/2025

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 184

    4/30/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/11/2025, 01/01/2026

    4/30/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/11/2025Senate

  4. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/2/2025House

  5. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/27/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0125)

    3/27/2025House

  10. Passed H., Ayes 95, Nays 1, PNV 0

    3/27/2025House

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

    3/17/2025House

  12. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0040)

    3/13/2025Senate

  13. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    3/13/2025Senate

  14. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/13/2025Senate

  15. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/13/2025Senate

  16. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/13/2025

    3/11/2025Senate

  17. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/4/2025Senate

  18. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/27/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/4/2025

    2/26/2025Senate

  20. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  21. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  22. Filed for introduction

    2/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

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