HB 382 - SB 683
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
February 8, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Alan Hampton | Email: alan.hampton@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
HB 382 - SB 683
SUMMARY OF BILL: Authorizes the State Board of Education (SBE) to implement the
curriculum for a statewide law enforcement against drugs and violence (L.E.A.D.) program to be
taught by qualified and trained law enforcement officers in schools. Authorizes a local education
agency (LEA) to include L.E.A.D. curricula among the courses offered within schools and to use
any funds received under the Drug Free Tennessee program in a sum sufficient to implement the
anti-drug and violence program.
Requires the Department of Safety (DOS) to adopt standards and qualifications and to provide
training for law enforcement officers who apply as instructors in the L.E.A.D. program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT
EXPENDITURES General Fund
FY25-26 $301,000
FY26-27 & Subsequent Years $173,300
Assumptions:
• The Tennessee Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Act of 1989 is established pursuant
to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-401.
• The proposed legislation renames the part such that it is known as the Tennessee Drug Abuse
Resistance Education and Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence Act.
• Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-1-402 authorizes, but does not require, the SBE and the
DOS to implement a statewide D.A.R.E. curriculum and the SBE and the Department of
Education (DOE) to consider and adopt training methods and materials. The proposed
legislation adds L.E.A.D. programs to that authority.
• Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-1-403 requires the DOS to adopt standards and
qualifications and to provide training for law enforcement officers who apply as instructors
in the D.A.R.E. program. The proposed legislation adds L.E.A.D. programs to that
requirement.
• The DOS currently employs one Sergeant to serve as the state coordinator for the D.A.R.E.
program.
• The DOS will require one additional position to implement the curriculum, provide training
and development for new instructors, and provide annual recertification for officers
throughout the state for the L.E.A.D. program.
• The recurring costs associated with the additional position will be as follows:
HB 382 - SB 683 2
Title Salary Benefits Equipment # Positions Total
Sergeant $78,060 $35,998 $59,250 1 $173,308
• There will be a one-time increase in state expenditures in FY25-26 of $127,716 for a patrol
car, equipment, supplies, and other support.
• The total increase in state expenditures will be $301,024 ($173,308 + $127,716) in FY25-26
and $173,308 in FY26-27 and subsequent years.
• The SBE and the DOE can implement the proposed legislation with existing resources
such that any fiscal impact is estimated to be not significant.
• Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-420(f) authorizes any county or municipality, or, in any
county having a metropolitan form of government and a population in excess of 500,000,
to set aside proceeds from fines, forfeitures, seizures or confiscations to purchase supplies
and other items for the operation and promotion of the D.A.R.E. program. The proposed
legislation adds L.E.A.D. programs to that authority.
• Additionally, the proposed legislation authorizes an LEA to use any funds received under
the Drug Free Tennessee program in a sum sufficient to implement the L.E.A.D. program,
in addition to the D.A.R.E. program.
• Providing an alternative program to which local governments may set aside proceeds or
direct funds is not expected to impact the net amount of proceeds disbursed each year. Any
fiscal impact is estimated to be not significant.
• It is unknown how many LEAs will adopt the L.E.A.D. program in schools. However, it is
assumed that any LEA that elects to implement the L.E.A.D. program as part of a school’s
curriculum will be able to do so within existing resources such that any local fiscal impact is
estimated to be not significant.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director