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Bill > HB1704


TN HB1704

TN HB1704
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 7; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41, relative to immigration.


summary

Introduced
01/15/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

114th General Assembly

Bill Summary

As introduced, creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally failing or refusing to depart when a final order of removal is outstanding; creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally entering, attempting to enter, or being found in this state after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed from the United States. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

AI Summary

This bill creates new state-level criminal offenses related to immigration, specifically making it a Class A misdemeanor for an individual to intentionally fail or refuse to leave Tennessee after a final order of removal has been issued against them by federal authorities, provided they have not pursued all available federal legal challenges. It also establishes the same misdemeanor charge for individuals who intentionally enter, attempt to enter, or are found within Tennessee after having been previously denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed from the United States, unless they have obtained express consent from the U.S. Attorney General to reapply for admission or are not required to do so under federal law. The bill includes provisions for staying criminal proceedings if a person is still pursuing federal legal avenues to challenge their immigration status. Notably, the provisions related to re-entry into the state will only take effect if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns or modifies its ruling in *Arizona v. United States*, which previously limited states' ability to enforce immigration laws, or if federal law is changed to allow states to determine unlawful presence. All other provisions of the bill are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (58)

William Lamberth (R)* Becky Jo Alexander (R),  Fred Atchley (R),  Clark Boyd (R),  Rush Bricken (R),  Gino Bulso (R),  Ed Butler (R),  Kip Capley (R),  Michele Carringer (R),  Scott Cepicky (R),  Mark Cochran (R),  John Crawford (R),  Tandy Darby (R),  Elaine Davis (R),  Clay Doggett (R),  Rick Eldridge (R),  Andrew Farmer (R),  Monty Fritts (R),  Ron Gant (R),  Johnny Garrett (R),  Rusty Grills (R),  Michael Hale (R),  David Hawk (R),  Esther Helton (R),  Gary Hicks (R),  Tim Hicks (R),  Timothy Hill (R),  Dan Howell (R),  Renea Jones (R),  Kelly Keisling (R),  Doc Kumar (R),  Justin Lafferty (R),  Michael Lankford (R),  Tom Leatherwood (R),  Mary Littleton (R),  Aron Maberry (R),  Pat Marsh (R),  Brock Martin (R),  Greg Martin (R),  Jake McCalmon (R),  Debra Moody (R),  Jerome Moon (R),  Dennis Powers (R),  Kevin Raper (R),  Lee Reeves (R),  Iris Rudder (R),  Richard Scarbrough (R),  Cameron Sexton (R),  Paul Sherrell (R),  William Slater (R),  Robert Stevens (R),  Tom Stinnett (R),  Chris Todd (R),  Kevin Vaughan (R),  Todd Warner (R),  Mark White (R),  Dave Wright (R),  Jason Zachary (R), 

Last Action

Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/11/2026 (on 03/04/2026)

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