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TN SB1667
TN SB1667AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29; Title 55 and Title 56, relative to motor vehicle financial responsibility.
summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As introduced, increases from $25 to $500 the coverage failure fee imposed by the department of revenue for the first failure to comply with the James Lee Atwood Jr. Law; increases that fee to $1,500 and requires registration be suspended or revoked for a second or subsequent failure to comply; bars a plaintiff from recovering noneconomic damages from a defendant arising out of the use of a vehicle if the plaintiff was not in compliance with the financial responsibility law; makes other related revisions. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 55 and Title 56.
AI Summary
This bill significantly increases penalties for failing to maintain motor vehicle financial responsibility, also known as the James Lee Atwood Jr. Law, by raising the initial coverage failure fee from $25 to $500 and imposing a $1,500 fee for a second or subsequent failure, which also mandates the suspension or revocation of vehicle registration. Furthermore, it introduces a new provision that bars individuals who are not in compliance with financial responsibility laws from recovering "noneconomic damages" (such as pain and suffering) in civil lawsuits arising from vehicle use, unless specific exceptions apply, such as the defendant being convicted of DUI or fleeing the scene of an accident. The bill also mandates more frequent reporting of vehicle insurance information to the state and allows for public awareness messages about financial responsibility to be displayed on electronic highway signs.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Government Operations Hearing (08:30:00 3/4/2026 Cordell Hull Building) (on 03/04/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1667&ga=114 |
| Fiscal Note - SB1667 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/SB1667.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/SB1667.pdf |
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