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SB1659Introduced in the Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 40, relative to sentencing for criminal offenses.

Passed

Introduced by Todd Gardenhire, District 10

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

As enacted, adds aggravating circumstances for a jury to consider when determining the sentence of a defendant convicted of certain offenses. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

Where it stands

Effective date(s) 07/01/2026

April 27, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House votes

1 recorded vote · each counted separately

Senate votes

2 recorded votes · each counted separately

HouseStage: FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION · March 30, 2026

77

Yes

4

No

8

Absent or Not Voting

89 representatives recorded in this House vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each representative voted

RepresentativeDistrictVote
John Crawford1Yes
Timothy Hill3Yes
Renea Jones4Yes
David Hawk5Yes
Tim Hicks6Yes
Rebecca Alexander7Yes
Gary Hicks9Yes
Rick Eldridge10Yes
Jeremy Faison11Yes
Fred Atchley12Yes

Bill history

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  3. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  4. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/9/2026

  5. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/17/2026

  6. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026

  7. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/17/2026

  8. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  9. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

  10. Sponsor(s) Added.

  11. Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/23/2026

  12. Passed Senate, Ayes 29, Nays 0

  13. Sponsor(s) Added.

  14. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  15. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

  16. Subst. for comp. HB.

  17. Passed H., Ayes 77, Nays 4, PNV 8

  18. Enrolled and ready for signatures

  19. Signed by Senate Speaker

  20. Signed by H. Speaker

  21. Transmitted to Governor for action.

  22. Signed by Governor.

  23. Pub. Ch. 693

  24. Effective date(s) 07/01/2026

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