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TennesseeSB 1587114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, relative to unlawful presence in the United States.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Immigration

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Drivers without lawful status face criminal penalties

People unlawfully in the U.S. commit a Class A misdemeanor by driving commercial vehicles in Tennessee when a valid commercial driver license is required. Unlawful presence includes entry without inspection, admission, or parole, and immigration status that expired, was rescinded, revoked, or otherwise ended. After an arrest for this driving offense, the officer must notify their law enforcement agency. The agency must ensure federal immigration authorities are notified through the 287(g) program or Tennessee’s centralized immigration enforcement division.

Employers face penalties for unlawful driver hiring

Direct employers commit a Class A misdemeanor by knowingly employing and allowing someone unlawfully in the U.S. to drive a commercial vehicle in Tennessee. A direct employer hires, pays, and directly supervises the driver. Customers, shippers, consignees, brokers, and transportation buyers are excluded when they do not directly employ the driver. The offense does not apply to entities that do not employ the driver or lack authority to verify work authorization.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

  • Rusty Crowe

    Republican • Senate

  • Joey Hensley

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy McNally

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

  • Jessie Seal

    Republican • Senate

  • Stevens

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Ken Yager

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 188 • No: 47

House vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026

Yes: 73 • No: 20

House vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026

Yes: 73 • No: 17

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/2/2026

Yes: 26 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 07/01/2026

    5/27/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 1070

    5/27/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/22/2026Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/11/2026Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    5/7/2026House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/30/2026Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/27/2026Senate

  8. Passed H., Ayes 73, Nays 20, PNV 0

    4/21/2026House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0583)

    4/21/2026House

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/21/2026House

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

    4/6/2026House

  12. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/2/2026Senate

  13. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/2/2026Senate

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6

    4/2/2026Senate

  15. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0565)

    4/2/2026Senate

  16. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0836)

    4/2/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/2/2026

    3/31/2026Senate

  18. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/24/2026Senate

  19. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 2 PNV 0

    3/24/2026Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/24/2026

    3/17/2026Senate

  21. Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 3/24/2026

    3/17/2026Senate

  22. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

    3/10/2026Senate

  23. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0

    3/3/2026Senate

  24. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/2/2026Senate

  25. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/3/2026

    2/25/2026Senate

Bill Text

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