Tennessee House Bill HB1333

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 55, and to amend Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. -- HB 6001 / SB 6002), relative to non-United States citizens.

Summary

HB1333 requires the Tennessee Department of Safety to submit an annual report by February 1 to the governor and legislative leaders. The report must state how many individuals had their statutory criminal penalties enhanced under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-35-325(b)(1) and (b)(2), both statewide and by county. The bill is framed as part of a broader package concerning non-United States citizens, but the operative provision in the text is a reporting requirement rather than a direct change to immigration or criminal law. The measure does not create a new penalty or alter the underlying sentencing enhancement statute; instead, it adds a new administrative reporting duty to Title 4. By requiring statewide and county-level counts, the bill would give state officials a clearer picture of how often courts apply the referenced penalty enhancement, which may be used for oversight, policy evaluation, or future legislation. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

HB1333 amends Tennessee law by adding a new reporting section to Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 20, requiring the Department of Safety to compile and deliver annual data on court-imposed statutory penalty enhancements under § 40-35-325(b)(1) and (b)(2). It does not itself change sentencing standards, immigration status rules, or criminal penalties, but it increases state administrative reporting obligations and creates a new source of statewide and county-level data for lawmakers and executive officials.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text, the measure appears informational and administrative rather than substantive, which often draws less public controversy than changes to penalties themselves. The caption’s reference to non-United States citizens suggests the bill is part of a broader policy area that may be politically sensitive, but the specific provision here is limited to reporting.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the bill’s connection to non-United States citizens and criminal penalty enhancements, which could raise concerns about immigration-related enforcement, data use, and the targeting of particular populations. Supporters would likely emphasize transparency and oversight, while opponents might question whether the reporting requirement is a step toward broader punitive policy or whether it imposes unnecessary administrative burden. Because no transcripts or votes are included, the actual positions of legislators or stakeholders are not documented in the provided materials.