SB 1144 - HB 1284
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
March 8, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Natalie Dusek | Email: natalie.dusek@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
SB 1144 - HB 1284
SUMMARY OF BILL: Requires the driver of a vehicle to proceed with due caution, reduce
speed, and make a lane change if possible with due regard to safety when approaching a slow-
moving or stationary farm tractor or instrument of husbandry that displays a slow-moving indicator
in an adjacent lane or on the shoulder of the road.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-132(c), a driver must reduce speed and, if possible to
do so safely, move over when approaching various other stationary or slow-moving vehicles
when the vehicle is giving a signal by use of flashing lights. The penalties for violating such
requirements are as follows:
o A Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no less than $250 and no more than
$500, or imprisonment not longer than 30 days, or both, upon first violation;
o A Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000 upon a second violation;
o A Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $2,500 upon a third or subsequent
violation.
• The proposed legislation creates the same requirement for a driver approaching a slow-
moving or stationary farm tractor or implement of husbandry that displays an indicator that
it is a slow-moving vehicle, and applies the same penalties for violations.
• It is possible that the proposed legislation may result in a marginal increase in misdemeanor
convictions. However, it is assumed that any increase in incarceration expenditures for local
governments will be not significant.
• Based on the Fiscal Review Committee’s 2008 study and the Administrative Office of the
Courts’ 2012 study on collection of court costs, fees, and fines, collection of fines in
criminal cases is insignificant; therefore, any increase in local revenue from fines is
estimated to be not significant.
SB 1144 - HB 1284 2
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director