TennesseeLocal governments could use tiered penalties for repeat ordinance violations
Starting July 1, 2026, local governments could adopt tiered monetary penalties for people or entities that repeatedly violate the same ordinance within 12 months.
What it does
Home-rule municipalities could set different monetary penalties for repeated violations of the same ordinance by the same person or entity within 12 months.
Municipalities could use tiered monetary penalties when the same person or entity repeatedly violates the same ordinance within 12 months.
Metropolitan governments could use tiered monetary penalties when the same person or entity repeatedly violates the same ordinance within 12 months.
Argument forTiered penalties may let local governments respond more gradually when the same person or entity keeps breaking one ordinance.
Argument againstPeople and businesses may face higher penalties for repeat violations, and penalty levels could differ among local governments.
More detail
A home-rule municipality could adopt different monetary penalties for repeated ordinance violations. The option covers repeated violations of the same municipal ordinance by the same person or entity. The municipality would have to adopt the penalty system by ordinance. The system would remain within the limits of subsection (a). The provision would apply to acts and omissions on or after July 1, 2026.
A municipality could adopt different monetary penalties for repeated ordinance violations. The option covers repeated violations of the same municipal ordinance by the same person or entity within a 12-month period. The municipality would have to adopt the penalty system by ordinance. The system would remain within the limits of subsection (a). The provision would apply to acts and omissions on or after July 1, 2026.
A metropolitan government could adopt different monetary penalties for repeated ordinance violations. The option covers repeated violations of the same municipal ordinance by the same person or entity within a 12-month period. The metropolitan government would have to adopt the penalty system by ordinance. The system would remain within the limits of subsection (a). The provision would apply to acts and omissions on or after July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Comp. became Pub. Ch. 1078Latest
- Apr 21Comp. SB subst.
- Apr 21Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 16
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026 4/14/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 14Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee 4/14/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 4/14/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 14Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/14/2026
- Apr 14Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Apr 14Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026
- Apr 14H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026
- Apr 8Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
- Apr 2Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 1Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 4/1/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 1Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means SubcommitteeMinor
- Mar 25Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 3/31/2026
- Mar 25Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/31/2026
- Mar 18Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE CITIES & COUNTIES SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee 3/18/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/24/2026
- Mar 11Action Def. in s/c Cities & Counties Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 11Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
- Mar 4Action Def. in s/c Cities & Counties Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
- Mar 4Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
- Feb 25Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 25Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
- Feb 17Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 11Action Def. in s/c Cities & Counties Subcommittee to 2/25/2026
- Feb 4Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 2/11/2026
- Jan 21P2C, ref. to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Jan 21Assigned to s/c Cities & Counties SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Intro., P1C.Minor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
Government & EthicsPublic Safety