HB1731Introduced in the House
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 46, relative to places of burial.
Introduced by Dave Wright, District 19
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
As enacted, specifies that, in regard to the criminal offense of desecration of a venerated object, "desecrate" includes, but is not limited to, the removal of objects from a place of burial by a person other than a family member of the deceased or an authorized representative of the cemetery. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 46.
Where it stands
Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
March 30, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
SenateStage: FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration · March 9, 2026
32
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
32 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 | Yes |
| Bo Watson | 11 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed for introduction
Intro., P1C.
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/11/2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 2/18/2026
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to Next Available Calendar
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/4/2026
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/5/2026
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/9/2026
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0598)
Passed H., as am., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 3
Sponsor(s) Added.
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0561)
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
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. 626
Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
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