Bill > SB2644

This bill, known as the "Crush Transnational Repression in Tennessee Act," aims to protect Tennessee residents from foreign governments or terrorist organizations attempting to control or harass them outside of their own borders. It defines "transnational repression" as actions by foreign adversaries or terrorist organizations, or their agents, to intimidate, censor, or influence individuals in Tennessee by using threats, electronic targeting, or other coercive tactics. The bill enhances criminal penalties for offenses committed by agents of foreign adversaries or terrorist organizations when those offenses are intended to coerce individuals, prevent them from engaging in protected conduct like free speech or peaceful assembly, or retaliate against them for such conduct. It also declares any court rulings, arbitration decisions, or contracts based on foreign laws that violate constitutional rights in Tennessee to be void and unenforceable within the state, and makes it a felony to interfere with the investigation of offenses under state or federal law without proper authorization. Additionally, state agencies will be required to include information on transnational repression in their policies and provide a way for individuals to report such incidents.