TennesseeTennessee local governments may tier fines for repeat rule violations
Starting July 1, 2026, Tennessee local governments may set different fines when the same person or group repeatedly breaks the same local rule within 12 months.
What it does
Home rule municipalities, other municipalities, and metropolitan governments may set different fines for repeat violations of the same local rule by the same person or group within 12 months.
Argument forLocal governments could increase fines for repeat violations, which may give people and groups a stronger reason to follow local rules.
Argument againstPeople or groups who repeatedly break the same local rule could face higher fines, making it harder for them to pay.
More detail
The law allows these local governments to set different fine levels for repeat violations by ordinance, a written local rule. This applies when the same person or group repeatedly violates the same local rule within 12 months. The fine system must follow the limits in the existing law cited in each section. The law applies to acts and omissions on or after July 1, 2026.
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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. 1078Latest
- 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 27Enrolled 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 21Passed H., Ayes 63, Nays 18, PNV 1Passed House
- Apr 2Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 30Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/30/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 30Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 27Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/30/2026
- Mar 25Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
- Vote recorded SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/25/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Mar 24Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/25/2026
- Mar 24Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
- Mar 18Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
- Mar 17Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 11Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- Jan 21Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
Government & Ethics