TennesseeTennessee allows academy directors and recommended staff to serve as officers
At academies under Tennessee's general services commissioner, directors and recommended staff may be appointed as law enforcement officers if they meet state requirements and take an oath.
What it does
The general services commissioner may appoint academy directors and staff as law enforcement officers. Staff need their director's written recommendation, and everyone appointed must meet state law requirements and take an oath.
General Services may run sales facilities and charge reasonable fees at academies under its commissioner's supervision. Fees must support the academy. Academy sales of educational, operational, and promotional goods are also allowed.
Argument forRequiring collected fees to stay dedicated to academy operations could help pay for upkeep and improvements.
Argument againstCharging fees for academy services, lodging, and equipment could increase expenses for trainees or the organizations paying for their training.
More detail
Tennessee's commissioner of general services may appoint academy directors and staff members as law enforcement officers. This authority covers training academies under the commissioner's general supervision. A staff member needs a written recommendation from the academy director. Anyone appointed must comply with Tennessee Code Section 8-8-101 and take the oath required by Section 8-18-111. The appointment authority took effect on May 11, 2026, when the law became law.
Tennessee's Department of General Services may operate academy sales facilities and charge reasonable fees. The law also allows the academy to sell goods for educational and operating needs and promotional items. The department's authority covers academies under the general services commissioner's supervision. Fees may cover academy offerings such as training, lodging, and equipment. The separate goods-sales provision applies to the academy addressed in Section 38-8-203. All collected fees must go into a designated fund used only to run, maintain, and improve the academy. The sales and fee provisions took effect on May 11, 2026, when the law became law.
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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 18Pub. Ch. 964Latest
- May 18Effective date(s) 05/11/2026
- May 11Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 5Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 1Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 20Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Apr 20Passed H., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 2Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 30Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 1Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/30/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 30Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 30Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 27Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026
- Mar 24Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 17Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 17Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
- Mar 10Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- Feb 24Recommended 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 2/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/24/2026
- Feb 18Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 2Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 22Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 21Filed for introductionIntroduced
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