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Bill > HB1538
TN HB1538
TN HB1538AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to unmanned aircraft.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
04/01/2026
04/01/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/24/2026
04/24/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As introduced, increases the penalty for knowingly using an unmanned aircraft over any portion of a property that includes a correctional facility from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class C felony; authorizes a correctional facility employee to disable an unmanned aircraft that is operating over property that includes a correctional facility and states that the correctional facility and the correctional facility employee are not liable for damage to the unmanned aircraft as a result of being disabled. - Amends TCA Title 39.
AI Summary
This bill, effective July 1, 2026, amends Tennessee law regarding unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, by increasing the penalty for knowingly flying a drone over correctional facility property from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, which is a more serious criminal offense. It also grants correctional facility employees the authority to disable any drone operating over such property and shields both the facility and the employee from liability for any damage incurred to the drone during the disabling process.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee (on 04/15/2026)
Bill Topics
Law, Crime, and Family Issues
- ‐ Criminal and Juvenile Delinquent Prosecution, Procedure, and Sentencing
- ‐ Prisons and Correctional Institutions
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1538&ga=114 | 01/13/2026 |
| Amendment 1-0 to HB1538 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Amend/HA1000.pdf | 04/01/2026 |
| Amendment 1-0 to SB1631 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Amend/SA0714.pdf | 03/17/2026 |
| Fiscal Memo for SA0714 (14528) | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/FM2151.pdf | 03/17/2026 |
| Fiscal Note - HB1538 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/HB1538.pdf | 01/24/2026 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/HB1538.pdf | 01/13/2026 |
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