HB1268Introduced in the House
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 10; Title 16; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 55, relative to criminal justice.
Introduced by Richard Scarbrough, District 33
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
As enacted, enacts the "Violent Criminal Court Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 10; Title 16; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 55.
Where it stands
Effective date(s) 05/07/2026
May 15, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
6 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
SenateStage: FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration · April 22, 2026
22
Yes
4
No
2
Absent or Not Voting
28 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Lowe | 1 | Yes |
| Rusty Crowe | 3 | Yes |
| Robert Harshbarger | 4 | Yes |
| Randy McNally | 5 | Yes |
| Becky Massey | 6 | Yes |
| Richard Briggs | 7 | Yes |
| Jessie Seal | 8 | Yes |
| Steve Southerland | 9 | Yes |
| Todd Gardenhire | 10 | No |
| Bo Watson | 11 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed for introduction
Intro., P1C.
P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
Ref. to Judiciary Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/26/2025
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 4/2/2025
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/2/2025
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 4/1/2026
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/1/2026
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/7/2026
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/7/2026
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026
Placed behind the budget
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/15/2026
Rec for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/20/2026
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/20/2026
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2026
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA1060)
Passed H., as am., Ayes 89, Nays 0, PNV 4
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0986)
Amendment tabled (Amendment 3 - SA1067)
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 4 - SA1087)
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0931)
Passed Senate, Ayes 22, Nays 4, PNV 2
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
Signed by H. Speaker
Signed by Senate Speaker
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
Signed by Governor.
Pub. Ch. 937
Effective date(s) 05/07/2026
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