Bill > SB1587

This bill makes it a Class A misdemeanor, a serious but less severe criminal offense, for an individual who is unlawfully present in the United States to operate a commercial motor vehicle within Tennessee, and also makes it an offense for anyone to knowingly allow such an individual to do so. If a law enforcement officer arrests someone for this offense, their agency must notify federal immigration authorities, either through a specific federal program called 287(g) or by contacting a state immigration enforcement division. Furthermore, the bill establishes strict liability for employers who knowingly allow individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. to drive commercial vehicles, and for state officials who knowingly issue commercial driver licenses to such individuals; these parties can be held responsible for personal injury or property damage caused by these drivers, potentially facing significant punitive damages of at least one million dollars, plus compensatory damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The bill also empowers the Attorney General and Reporter, or a private citizen acting as a "qui tam plaintiff" on behalf of the state, to file civil lawsuits against employers or state officials who violate these provisions, seeking substantial civil penalties and other relief, with the qui tam plaintiff potentially receiving a portion of any recovered funds.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1587&ga=114