TennesseeTennessee law sets jail minimums and lists retail theft tactics
Starting July 1, 2026, people sentenced for some retail theft offenses must serve at least 30 days in jail if they used or possessed specified items.
What it does
A person sentenced for a covered offense must serve at least 30 days in jail if they used or possessed a firearm, ammunition, a firearm-related device, or a tool to disable retail security equipment.
The period named in the law’s covered retail theft provision is 180 days.
The law lists knowingly hiding one’s identity or using a vehicle with no plate, an altered or hidden plate, or a temporary plate to help commit a covered offense.
Argument forA 30-day minimum when someone uses or possesses specified weapons or tools could discourage those tactics during covered retail theft offenses.
Argument againstA required 30-day jail term could limit a judge’s ability to choose a shorter sentence, even when a person used or possessed a listed item.
More detail
A sentence for a violation of subsection (c) includes at least 30 days in jail when the person used or possessed a listed item during the offense. This applies to a person sentenced for a violation of Tennessee Code section 39-14-113(c). The listed items include a firearm, ammunition, a firearm-related device, or a tool used to disable retail security equipment. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to acts committed on or after that date.
The period named in subsection (c)(1) is 180 days. This is the period stated in Tennessee Code section 39-14-113(c)(1). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to acts committed on or after that date.
The text lists knowingly using identity concealment or specified vehicles or plates to help commit an offense under subsection (c). This applies to conduct connected to an offense under Tennessee Code section 39-14-113(c). The person must knowingly use the concealment, vehicle, or plate to help commit the offense. The vehicle provision covers one with no plate, an altered, fake, or concealed plate, or a temporary plate. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to acts committed on or after that date.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1124Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 29Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0768)Minor
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 73, Nays 17, PNV 2Passed House
- Apr 20Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Apr 15Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0942)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6Passed Senate
- Apr 15Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 15Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 13Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2026
- Mar 31Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 1 PNV 1
- Vote recorded SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 1 PNV 1 3/31/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 24Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/31/2026
- Mar 9Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 3/9/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/9/2026
- Feb 5Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionMinor
- Feb 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationIntroduced
Criminal Justice