TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

General Assembly Wraps Up Session Thursday Night

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Apr 24, 2026

The 114th Tennessee General Assembly wrapped up its second and final session Thursday evening after a marathon 10-hour day, according to various news sources. In the final days of the session, lawmakers approved a range of proposals that now go to the governor for his consideration. Legislation impacting the courts included SB846/HB1268, creating two new criminal court judgeships in Shelby County; HB2251/SB2025, creating a pilot program to place criminal magistrates in the 10 counties with the highest criminal caseload; and HB1707/SB1952, requiring judges in all courts to cooperate with ICE or face removal.

A number of immigration bills passed as well: HB1710/SB1915, requiring service providers to track and report on the status of anyone who seeks public benefits; HB2219/SB2223, requiring all Tennessee sheriffs to participate in some version of the 287(g) immigration enforcement program; and bills impacting drivers license tests (HB1708/SB1889) and commercial driving licenses (HB1817/SB1748).

Finally, new criminal penalties were created for leaving the scene of an accident that results in an injury or one the driver knew or should reasonably have known resulted in death (HB1967/SB1602) and a sweeping ban of all forms of kratom (HB1649/SB1656). Read more about these and other successful measures from the Nashville Banner and the WPLN. Gov. Bill Lee released a statement highlighting accomplishments of the session and thanking legislators for working with him to “deliver real results for people across our state.”

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