AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-402, relative to testing equipment used to determine the presence of a synthetic opioid.
Summary
HB0113 amends Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-17-402, which defines controlled substances and related terms, to remove a sunset clause tied to a specific subdivision concerning testing equipment used to determine the presence of a synthetic opioid. In practical terms, the bill makes permanent a provision that was otherwise scheduled to expire on July 1, 2025.
The measure is narrowly focused on synthetic opioid testing equipment and does not create a new regulatory program. Instead, it preserves existing law by deleting the repeal date, ensuring that the referenced definition or authorization remains in effect beyond mid-2025. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Impact
The bill amends Tennessee’s criminal/drug-control code by striking the expiration language in TCA 39-17-402(12)(B)(ii). This extends the life of the affected statutory provision indefinitely, maintaining the legal framework for equipment used to detect synthetic opioids and avoiding a lapse in authority or definition that would have occurred on July 1, 2025. Its direct impact is on law enforcement, forensic testing, and any parties relying on synthetic opioid detection tools under the controlled substances statute.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received very positively and without recorded opposition. It passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee 8-0, the House Judiciary Committee 21-0, and the House floor 96-0 on consent calendar passage, indicating broad bipartisan agreement and little controversy. The absence of committee transcript debate also suggests the measure was viewed as a routine technical or public-safety-related update.
Contention
There is no notable recorded contention in the available materials. Because the bill simply removes a sunset date from an existing provision, any potential disagreement would likely have centered on whether the underlying synthetic-opioid testing authority should remain in place permanently, but no member opposition or substantive objections appear in the vote history provided. The unanimous votes indicate consensus among lawmakers and committees.
Crossfiled
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-402, relative to testing equipment used to determine the presence of a synthetic opioid.