Bill > SB0804

This bill establishes a new Crime Stoppers Trust Fund in Tennessee's state treasury to support local crime stoppers programs. The bill requires courts to impose an additional $10 fine on all offenders convicted of felonies or misdemeanors, with $7 of each fine being forwarded to the trust fund (the clerk keeps $3 as a service charge). A crime stoppers organization is defined as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects donations and provides rewards for information about criminal activities. The fund can be used to support crime stoppers programs through grants, which can cover promotional materials, rewards for tips leading to arrests or solving cases, and up to 25% administrative expenses. Eligible rewards include tips resulting in arrests, property recovery, narcotics seizures, homicide victim recovery, human trafficking victim recovery, illegal weapon recovery, terrorist act prevention, and solving cold cases. Crime stoppers organizations receiving grants must submit annual reports to legislative officials, and the state treasurer will oversee fund administration, investment, and equitable distribution of funds. The law will take effect on January 1, 2026, and the fund will be subject to audit by the state comptroller.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0804&ga=114