AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to racketeering activity.
Summary
SB0916 amends Tennessee’s racketeering statute to add animal fighting as a predicate offense under the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO)-style law. In practical terms, conduct involving animal fighting under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-203 would now count as racketeering activity for purposes of Title 39, Section 39-12-203(10). The bill does not create a new standalone animal-fighting offense; rather, it expands the list of crimes that can be used to establish racketeering activity.
By classifying animal fighting as racketeering activity, the bill gives prosecutors an additional tool to pursue organized or repeated animal-fighting operations and related criminal enterprises. This can increase the legal consequences for individuals or groups involved in dogfighting, cockfighting, or similar conduct, especially where the activity is tied to broader criminal organization or profit-driven schemes. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39 by adding animal fighting to the statutory list of racketeering predicate offenses. This change affects how prosecutors may charge and prove racketeering cases, potentially allowing forfeiture, enhanced penalties, and broader enterprise-based prosecutions when animal fighting is part of organized criminal conduct. It primarily impacts individuals involved in animal-fighting operations and law enforcement/prosecutors handling organized crime and animal cruelty cases.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally well received and moved through the legislature with strong support. It was recommended for passage in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 7-2 vote, passed a Senate floor vote 27-0 on third consideration, and ultimately passed the regular calendar in the House by an 80-10 vote. The voting pattern suggests broad bipartisan agreement that animal fighting should be treated as a more serious organized-crime-related offense.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to have been whether animal fighting should be elevated to racketeering activity rather than handled solely as an animal-cruelty offense. The committee vote of 7-2 indicates some reservations, likely about expanding racketeering predicates or the scope of criminal liability, while the overwhelmingly favorable floor votes show that any opposition was limited. No committee transcript is available, so the specific objections are not documented in the provided materials.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 4, Chapter 49; Title 8, Chapter 6, Part 4; Title 40, Chapter 2 and Title 47, relative to illegal activity.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 4, Chapter 49; Title 8, Chapter 6, Part 4; Title 40, Chapter 2 and Title 47, relative to illegal activity.