TennesseeLocal officers may enforce traffic laws on agreed megasite roads
Effective May 22, 2026, the law lets the West Tennessee Megasite Authority and local governments agree to have sworn officers enforce traffic laws on certain private roads.
What it does
The West Tennessee Megasite Authority and a county or city may let sworn local officers enforce traffic laws on specified private roads, if both sides approve an agreement and required signs and notices are in place.
Argument forLocal officers could enforce traffic rules on covered private roads, which may help drivers follow posted speed limits and other traffic rules.
Argument againstDrivers could receive tickets or fines on private roads, so they may need to watch for the required traffic signs and entrance notices.
More detail
The law allows the Megasite Authority and a county or city law enforcement agency to agree that sworn officers may enforce traffic laws on specified private roads. Covered roads are privately owned streets, roads, or driveways inside the West Tennessee megasite that have not been dedicated to or accepted as public roads and are identified in the agreement. The authority's board and the county's or city's governing body must approve the agreement. The agreement must require roadway owners or operators to maintain required traffic signs and controls and post notice at each vehicle entrance. The agreement does not give the government ownership or maintenance duties, make the road public, or allow private security officers to exercise law enforcement powers. The law took effect on May 22, 2026. Each agreement must state its term and allow either side to end it with at least 30 days' written notice.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1091Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 22Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0705)Minor
- Apr 22Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 1, PNV 1Passed House
- Mar 12Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 9Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0569)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/9/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Mar 9Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 6Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/9/2026
- Mar 3Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/3/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
- Jan 22Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 21Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 20Filed for introductionIntroduced
Public SafetyTransportation