Bill > HB0537

This bill, known as the Law Enforcement's Safer Tennessee Electronic Registration (LESTER) Act, updates Tennessee's vehicle registration laws to explicitly allow digital vehicle registration proof during law enforcement encounters. Specifically, the bill establishes that law enforcement must accept electronic vehicle registration evidence, with some important conditions: the digital image must be clear and not appear fraudulent, and officers can request additional verification if they cannot immediately confirm the registration's validity. The bill also explicitly states that displaying an electronic registration does not give law enforcement permission to access other contents of the electronic device. Additionally, the bill makes a technical amendment to standardize language around vehicle terminology, replacing phrases like "motor-propelled vehicle" with "motor vehicle" in existing statutes. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing ample time for law enforcement and vehicle owners to prepare for the new digital registration acceptance protocol. This legislation aims to modernize registration verification processes and provide more flexibility for vehicle owners while maintaining law enforcement's ability to verify vehicle registration information.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0537&ga=114