TennesseeTennessee task force directs additional state policing in local communities
An eight-member Tennessee task force decides when dangerous levels of crime require additional state policing, which state investigators must provide after a majority vote.
What it does
An eight-member state task force can require additional policing for gang activity and certain crimes named in state law. Local officials may also receive help through written requests. These powers end July 1, 2029.
State investigators may investigate covered crimes without local requests in districts where the federal Memphis safe task force operates. Authority can continue after federal operations stop, until the state task force withdraws it or July 1, 2029.
The task force may discuss sensitive policing matters privately without public notice. Final decisions must happen in public. Private meeting records stay confidential unless a court orders disclosure.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation may share agents with other law enforcement agencies for specific assignments. The July 2029 deadline does not end this agent-sharing authority.
Argument forLocal sheriffs, police chiefs, and prosecutors could get state investigative help through written requests that do not require a task force vote.
Argument againstClosed discussions without public notice could limit residents’ understanding of policing decisions, even though final decisions must happen in public.
More detail
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation must provide additional policing operations when a majority of all eight task force members requests them. The task force determines when crime threatens public safety enough to require additional policing. Investigation requests cover crimes listed in Title 39, Chapter 13 and unlawful activity by criminal gang members. Affected prosecutors and law enforcement chiefs must receive notice of a proposed task force request and may present evidence. Local sheriffs, police chiefs, and prosecutors may request help in writing. Other listed local officials must receive notice. The director may approve help without a task force vote. Investigators may pursue other crimes discovered during authorized investigations. Other agencies may also investigate the covered crimes. The director must notify local prosecutors and law enforcement chiefs before operations begin. During operations, task force meetings must include reports on arrests, charges, and case outcomes. These operating provisions took effect July 1, 2026, and end July 1, 2029.
Tennessee safe initiative investigators may investigate covered crimes without a request from local officials or the state task force. This authority covers crimes listed in Title 39, Chapter 13 and unlawful activity by criminal gang members in judicial districts where the federal Memphis safe task force is in effect. Investigators may pursue other crimes discovered during authorized investigations. Other agencies may also investigate the covered crimes. The director must notify local prosecutors and law enforcement chiefs before operations begin. During operations, task force meetings must include reports on arrests, charges, and case outcomes. The director must continue providing operations until a majority of all state task force members withdraws this authority, even if the federal Memphis safe task force stops operating, or until the provisions expire. This authority took effect July 1, 2026, and ends no later than July 1, 2029.
The task force may close part of a meeting to discuss confidential, sensitive law enforcement matters. Closed discussions are limited to confidential, sensitive matters such as investigation details, policing plans, and information identifying witnesses or undercover officers. A majority of members present must approve the closed session. Public notice of that session is not required. Final actions, votes, and official decisions must occur in an open meeting. Closed-session records remain confidential unless a court orders disclosure. Attendees must keep discussions confidential; unauthorized disclosure is grounds for removal and may carry criminal penalties under state law. These meeting rules apply from July 1, 2026, until the task force provisions end July 1, 2029.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation may arrange temporary exchanges or assignments of agents with other criminal law enforcement agencies. Agreements may involve criminal law enforcement agencies in Tennessee, other states, or the federal government. Agreements cover special assignments and specific duties. The agent-sharing provision took effect July 1, 2026, and has no stated end date.
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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 26Pub. Ch. 1010Latest
- May 26Effective date(s) 05/19/2026, 07/01/2026
- May 19Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 7Transmitted to Governor for his action.To Governor
- May 5Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 28Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.Minor
- Apr 22Received from House, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR 3 CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 2 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.Major
- Apr 22Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA1098)
- Apr 22Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0998)
- Apr 22Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 7Passed Senate
- Apr 22H. Placed on Message Calendar 3 for 4/22/2026
- Apr 22H. concurred in S. am. no. 2 Ayes 73, Nays 19 PNV 0
- Apr 21H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA1055)Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 21Passed H., as am., Ayes 76, Nays 15, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 21Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.Minor
- Apr 20
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026 4/16/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 16H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
- Apr 15Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/15/2026
- Vote recorded HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee 4/15/2026 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 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/15/2026
- Apr 15Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/16/2026
- Apr 8Placed behind the budget
- Apr 8Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
- Apr 7Sponsor change.Minor
- Vote recorded HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee 4/7/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 4/7/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Apr 7Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/7/2026
- Apr 7Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means CommitteeMinor
- Apr 7Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means SubcommitteeMinor
- Apr 7Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026
- Apr 1Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/7/2026
- Mar 25Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 4/1/2026
- Mar 25Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/1/2026
- Mar 23Sponsor change.Minor
- Mar 23Sponsor(s) withdrawn.Minor
- Mar 18Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
- Mar 18Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
- Mar 11Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
- Mar 4Ref. to Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Mar 4Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 5P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
- Feb 4Intro., P1C.Minor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionIntroduced
Public SafetyCriminal Justice