Tennessee House Bill HB0055

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/2/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Refer: 3/12/25
• Refer: 4/2/25
• Refer: 4/17/25
• Chaptered: 5/15/25
• Passed: 5/15/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39; Title 40; Title 54 and Title 55, relative to criminal offenses.

Impact

The legislation alters the existing frameworks regarding law enforcement interactions with citizens. It permits officers to seek identification based on reasonable suspicion, introducing legal repercussions for individuals who refuse to provide their name or who give a false name to an officer. This may deepen the level of trust and accountability in police interactions, but it also raises concerns about how it might affect citizens' rights and the potential for overreach in law enforcement practices.

Summary

House Bill 0055 proposes amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically focusing on criminal offenses. The bill introduces new stipulations around littering and trespassing with the intent to intimidate individuals exercising their rights. This adjustment aims to reinforce protections against harassment and ensure the lawful exercise of rights in Tennessee. Furthermore, the bill clearly defines 'littering' and elaborates the consequences associated with it, establishing that certain violations will be classified as either misdemeanors or felonies depending on the intent behind the actions.

Contention

Some potential points of contention regarding HB 0055 focus on the balance between public safety and individual liberties. Critics may argue that the provisions allowing for increased identification measures could lead to negative encounters between police and citizens, particularly in communities that have historically been subjected to scrutiny. Additionally, the definitions of littering and the severity of penalties might spark discussions about environmental stewardship versus punitive measures, with stakeholders debating the effectiveness and fairness of the proposed fines and classifications of offenses.