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Bill > HB1644


TN HB1644

TN HB1644
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7; Title 63 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10, relative to the "Nitrous Oxide Abuse Prevention and Retail Sale Prohibition Act."


summary

Introduced
01/14/2026
In Committee
03/23/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
04/29/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/29/2026

Introduced Session

114th General Assembly

Bill Summary

As enacted, enacts the "Nitrous Oxide Abuse Prevention and Retail Sale Prohibition Act"; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7; Title 63 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Nitrous Oxide Abuse Prevention and Retail Sale Prohibition Act," makes it unlawful for any "retail seller" – defined as anyone selling nitrous oxide directly to consumers, including through vending machines or stores – to sell or offer for sale nitrous oxide, which is a colorless gas also known as laughing gas, or any substance containing it. Violators face a civil penalty of $2,500 for a first offense, with all nitrous oxide seized, and $5,000 for subsequent offenses, which also leads to the revocation of any licenses or permits to sell products like beer or alcohol, with the possibility of reapplying after twelve months. Furthermore, it is a Class E felony for anyone to sell, offer, deliver, or give away nitrous oxide if they suspect it will be used to cause intoxication or alter mental or sensory processes, though these prohibitions do not apply to sales by manufacturers, distributors, or wholesalers for legitimate medical, dental, or commercial food and beverage distribution purposes. The bill also makes conforming changes to existing Tennessee law by removing references to nitrous oxide in certain contexts.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (54)

Fred Atchley (R)* Charlie Baum (R),  Rush Bricken (R),  Ed Butler (R),  Kip Capley (R),  Michele Carringer (R),  Jesse Chism (D),  John Clemmons (D),  Mark Cochran (R),  John Crawford (R),  Tandy Darby (R),  Elaine Davis (R),  Vincent Dixie (D),  Clay Doggett (R),  Rick Eldridge (R),  Andrew Farmer (R),  Ron Gant (R),  Johnny Garrett (R),  Yusuf Hakeem (D),  Michael Hale (R),  Kirk Haston (R),  David Hawk (R),  Esther Helton (R),  Caleb Hemmer (D),  Gary Hicks (R),  Tim Hicks (R),  Timothy Hill (R),  Dan Howell (R),  Renea Jones (R),  Mary Littleton (R),  Harold Love (D),  Susan Lynn (R),  Aron Maberry (R),  Pat Marsh (R),  Greg Martin (R),  Jake McCalmon (R),  Larry Miller (D),  Debra Moody (R),  Justin Pearson (D),  Dennis Powers (R),  Kevin Raper (R),  Michele Reneau (R),  Tim Rudd (R),  Iris Rudder (R),  Lowell Russell (R),  Paul Sherrell (R),  William Slater (R),  Tom Stinnett (R),  Bryan Terry (R),  Chris Todd (R),  Greg Vital (R),  Todd Warner (R),  Ryan Williams (R),  Dave Wright (R), 

Last Action

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 702 (on 04/29/2026)

Bill Topics

Health
  • ‐ Drug Abuse, Treatment, and Education
Law, Crime, and Family Issues
  • ‐ Illegal Drugs and Narcotics Control

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