Tennessee House Bill HB1164

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Refer: 2/2/23
• Refer: 2/28/23
• Refer: 3/8/23
• Engrossed: 3/14/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 20 and Title 4, Chapter 7, relative to the Tennessee highway patrol.

Impact

The implications of HB1164 are significant as it addresses the distribution of law enforcement personnel to enhance public safety in specified counties. By establishing a mandatory allocation process, the bill aims to ensure that counties within certain thresholds of size and population receive sufficient law enforcement attention. This is particularly important as smaller counties may face unique challenges in maintaining public safety and responding to emergencies due to limited resources. Implementing this measure may also require careful coordination between the departments of safety and human resources to fill vacant positions effectively.

Summary

House Bill 1164 is designed to amend sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the allocation of highway patrol officers across the state. Specifically, the bill mandates that a minimum of six highway patrol officers be designated to counties classified as tier 3 or tier 4 enhancement counties. This allocation is based on specific criteria regarding the size and population of the counties, ensuring that they have adequate law enforcement presence based on demographic metrics. The goal of this bill is to enhance public safety in regions that may be underserved by current law enforcement resources.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding HB1164, particularly regarding the specifics of implementation and funding. Questions may arise regarding the feasibility of reallocating existing vacant positions across the state and whether there are sufficient resources to fulfill the mandates of the bill. Furthermore, stakeholders may express concerns about how the allocation will be determined, and whether criteria are in place to adapt the resource distribution in response to changing demographics or public safety needs. Such discussions may focus on ensuring that all areas of Tennessee are equitably served by law enforcement.