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TennesseeSB 1880114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 20 and Section 38-3-114, relative to the office of homeland security.

Sponsored By: Jack Johnson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Safety, Dept. of

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Agents get statewide police powers and rules

The Commissioner of Safety can commission homeland security agents as peace officers. Agents have statewide powers to arrest for public offenses, serve criminal process, and carry weapons for reasonable official duties; off‑duty carry is allowed where state law permits. Jails must accept and process people arrested by these agents the same as other police arrests. Agents must carry a badge and ID and show them on demand and before making an arrest within a reasonable time. Agents must complete initial and ongoing training that matches state peace‑officer standards.

Terror and cyber probes, with speech safeguard

The office can investigate when it has reasonable suspicion of a Tennessee crime tied to terrorism, threats to schools, critical infrastructure, or public officials. It can also pursue cyber offenses like unauthorized access, damage or denial of service, ransomware, cyber fraud or extortion, and related online threats. If agents find other crimes during an allowed case, they can investigate those too. A misinformation or disinformation campaign alone is not grounds for an investigation. The office must have reasonable suspicion that a Tennessee criminal law is being broken or furthered.

New state Office of Homeland Security

The law creates the Office of Homeland Security in the Department of Safety. The commissioner picks the office head and the office can hire commissioned agents and other staff. It leads planning, coordination, and response across the state and can help other agencies and private groups on request. It can manage funds approved by the legislature, coordinate school security policy and review school plans, help secure elections when the Secretary of State asks, and share information through a statewide intelligence center. The act takes effect when it becomes law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Tom Hatcher

    Republican • Senate

  • Kerry Roberts

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 227 • No: 124

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 3/30/2026

Yes: 27 • No: 5

House vote • 3/26/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION AMENDMENT # 2 BY JONES J AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/26/2026

Yes: 68 • No: 21

House vote • 3/26/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AMENDMENT # 2 BY JONES J AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/26/2026

Yes: 25 • No: 65

House vote • 3/26/2026

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

Yes: 68 • No: 24

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/19/2026

Yes: 25 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/13/2026Senate

  2. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/2/2026House

  3. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Concurred, Ayes 27, Nays 5 (Amendment 1 - HA0736)

    3/30/2026Senate

  7. Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 3/30/2026

    3/27/2026Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/26/2026House

  9. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0736)

    3/26/2026House

  10. Failed to adopt am. (Amendment 2 - HA0847), Ayes 25, Nays 65, PNV 0

    3/26/2026House

  11. Passed H., as am., Ayes 68, Nays 24, PNV 0

    3/26/2026House

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

    3/23/2026House

  13. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0574)

    3/19/2026Senate

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 6

    3/19/2026Senate

  15. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/19/2026Senate

  16. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/19/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/19/2026

    3/17/2026Senate

  18. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    3/11/2026Senate

  19. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee Ayes 6, Nays 2 PNV 0

    3/4/2026Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/11/2026

    3/4/2026Senate

  21. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/3/2026Senate

  22. Placed on Senate Government Operations Committee calendar for 3/4/2026

    2/25/2026Senate

  23. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Government Operations Committee

    2/2/2026Senate

  24. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    1/22/2026Senate

  25. Filed for introduction

    1/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

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